Sometimes God brings people into our lives for a special purpose, and they change our hearts and minds in unimaginable ways. Dennis was one of those blessings. He became my first friend living with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

I am beyond blessed to be a part of Rebuild Better Together. It was my honor to be friends with Dennis, who was the inspiration for this effort. He changed my life, his story impacted me and he captured my heart. I began a journey of connecting with and helping spinal cord injury (SCI) persons, and through this effort, found that a vast percentage of this community lacks a solid family support system.

As so many that have come before me, my journey in the SCI community began with tremendous tragedy. June 17 th , 2021, my wife, and I were on a hike when a giant tree limb fell on us. My beautiful wife was struck and killed and my back was broken. In the beginning, while in both mental and physical pain my only purpose for living was my two sons who needed their Dad. As time healed my body, my heart was helped by the generosity of my family and community. I was amazed and appreciative of the support that I had and wanted to not only give thanks but also share the love with those in my situation that didn’t have such a support system.

Inspired by the co-founders, I joined the Rebuild Better Together board in the summer of 2022. I was convicted to help make a positive difference for those suffering from spinal cord injuries and who are lacking the support systems needed to live life to its fullest potential. 

In the fall of 2017 I was in an auto accident that rendered me a C7 quadriplegic. I spent 10 days at Allegheny General in Pittsburgh, and from there I was flown to Atlanta, Georgia to begin therapy at Shepherd Center. Shepherd Center, a rehabilitation center specializing in spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, stands out by not only rehabbing and educating people on how to deal with their disabilities, but by helping people to return to the recreational activities that give so many of us a sense of meaning. This is something I think is severely lacking in the rehabilitation programs in the Pittsburgh area.

My world changed at age 15 when I suffered an incomplete T/12-L/1 SCI from a motor vehicle accident. I did my best not to let my injury stop me. I have done so many things and met so many amazing people as a result that I wouldn’t change my course in life for anything.