Don’t Sell Your Saddle or Give Up on Your Dreams!

As my recovery continued, I remember the feeling of everyone staring at me and treating me differently since I was in a wheelchair. I had a number of moments in public where I just wanted to say “Hey, I’m here… I will be walking again someday.” 

It was an unnerving feeling at the time and made me determined to prove the medical team wrong. I was determined to walk again. In reflecting, this experience really shaped my thoughts and interactions with people who have disabilities, injuries, illness, or challenges.  I was lucky that my initial physical healing journey offered the chance for me to walk again, but I know that isn’t possible for everyone. 

I had weeks of physical therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, and many hours spent in a pool and on a treadmill to rehabilitate my body. Eventually, I was walking!! And not just walking, but back to playing sports, riding horses, and driving (slower). 

I returned to my involvement in clubs, athletics, and figuring out my next steps for college.  Since my focus was no longer on sports I went down the agriculture path and headed to Bozeman, MT to attend Montana State University after high school.  

My injuries did not hold me back in college! I joined the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority (where many of my friends still hail from today), was actively involved on campus, worked with a wonderful couple at their bed and breakfast, babysat for an Alpha Gam alum and helped her family at home and on their ranch, and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Education.  College was a blast! I’m still thankful for the relationships I built there with my professors, fellow students, and sorority sisters.