Page 71 - Issue 47

University of Minnesota (for Business co-op, chased girls- the usual. But
& Psychology stuff), “growing up” no matter what phase I was into I
came paired with normal adult always found myself wrenching on
responsibilities and stressors like cars and machinery. I loved fi guring
paying the bills, relationships, work out the way things worked and why
and other obligations. Well, those they did what they did. All was good
are all normal and can be planned until July 12th, 2014 when I was in
for. What can’t be planned for are a car accident causing my spinal
sudden life stressors that change cord injury & chest down paralysis,
the way you live. One of the larger along with lots of other long term
obstacles I overcame during college injuries. After my accident I was in
was Carpal Tunnel in both of my the hospital for about 9 months. I
wrists. This was hugely detrimental. remember laying in my hospital bed
So much so that I had to utilize thinking “well what the hell do I do
disability resources because I now?” Not being a kid that grew up
couldn’t write or type for longer around video games, computers, or
than 5 minutes without nagging any of that stuff I was lost. So as soon
pain. The stress of not being able as I got home I would spend all day
to use your hands is astonishing; in our family’s shop tinkering around
Trying to plan your day so that you with things I could do. Not having
can spread out your homework into hardly any use or strength of my
5 minute segments was a constant arms I thought I was screwed. When
stress. I’m sure a few of you fellow I could, I started working out and
got strong enough to start playing
rat-rodders are familiar. 5 minute period is unbelievably with my dad’s Mig welder; started
The summer after my stress-relieving- even if it still hurts, fabricating up shooting targets,
sophomore year I fi nally had my you sort of forget about it. If you meat smoking boxes, and random
right hand operated on. Less than don’t believe it, compare it to fi xtures for the hell of it. Thought
7 days later I was in the garage having a surprise day off of work- “shit if I can do this, wonder what
building my c10. It hurt, but the pain it’s a similar feeling. else I can do” at the time I had a
was forgotten because the passion On a more extreme level, I have 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which
meant more to me than the pain. I discussed some of the therapeutics I couldn’t drive. Doctors told me I’d
lost myself in that truck. The second of building things with a good never drive anything but a handicap
wrist came the next summer. Since friend, Charles Eklund, who was in van, and I knew right away that ain’t
then I have been living much more an unfortunate accident which left happening. So I lifted that jeep and
appreciative of the almost-normal him paralyzed. I asked him to write put 31’s on it. Still not being able to
use of my hands and the signifi cant a couple paragraphs about himself drive due to doctor’s orders, and
decline in painful days. and his situation, hopefully it’s as lack of hand controls, my dad and
I believe part of the reason that impactful to you as it is to me. I fabricated hand controls out of a
I am better now is because of the So I have always been into jeeps, broom stick, some door hinges, and
therapeutic powers of working diesels, horsepower, and going fast. c-clamps on the peddles. With that
with my passion. Half of the battle I mean what guy isn’t?? I lived a set up I got used to driving around
of physical issues is emotional in pretty normal life as a highschool our farm, in the pastures, down by
nature. Being able to forget about kid: Lived on a farm, showed beef the lake; had the time of my life. After
your disability for more than a cattle, worked part time at local feed that I thought, again, “If I can do this I

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