This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

In life it’s nice to know that there are friends that will be there in good and in bad.  As a quadriplegic man, it has been difficult to find close male friends.  There is a lot of work that goes into spending time with someone who has this kind of disability, and it is probably more than most friends would expect.  I’ve blogged in the past that I had been praying for male friendship and as a result of that I have, in fact, found some very close friends.  The only problem is that many of my friends do not live in the same state that I do.  This makes getting together a real task, but thank God that they’re only a phone call away!  My wife tells me that you can have more than one best friend, but really I only have one—which is her!  I guess I feel like “best” means…well, one-and-only best!  What do you think?  Let me know what your feelings are about best friends—can you have more than one “bestie?”

Speaking of friends, I received a surprise visit from a childhood friend recently.  This individual was someone whom I initially wasn’t too fond of.  She actually beat me up in second grade!  She was a tough girl and definitely considered more of a tomboy.  Thanks to her brothers, she was certainly not one to let boys get in her face.  I had just moved to town and was struggling with my self-identity, so her not-so-friendly attitude wasn’t well-received by me.  Surprisingly, despite all this, she and I became good friends and remained as such through grade school.

I had not seen her in a long time, but she had heard that I hadn’t been feeling too well and arranged to come by.  Thanks to my wife, she appeared unannounced…

(If you cannot view video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYpJYLOw21Y&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp )

Maybe you’re going through tough times like I am and are praying for some companionship.  Please, always remember that even when you don’t think it’s true, there are people out there who are thinking of you and are wondering how you’re doing.  Don’t hesitate to call those friends that you’ve lost touch with.

I want to genuinely thank those of you who have sent me cards, notes, or emails.  They truly have been an encouragement.  I want to especially thank those that have been close to me that take time to pray for me and think of me.  I need it, just like everyone else.  May the quality of your friendships only increase!

To your inspiration,

Ron

To donate to Never Give Up: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php

To donate to Ron and Family: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-ron-heagy.php

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

There’s not much that is worse than watching your child suffer, even if it is over a loose tooth.  To be honest, I had no idea that pulling a tooth could be so traumatic!  The past few months, Gracie has been in the process of losing her front teeth.  The first one came easy, but the sight of blood upset her.  So, as you can imagine, she was very reluctant to pull out the second tooth.  Unfortunately, the second tooth was the one that was most necessary to remove—it was dangling by a thread!

As a dad who is paralyzed from the neck down, there was no possibility of initiating a surprise attack, or the old “string-tied-around-a-doorknob” trick.  My wife, Kelli, pleaded patiently with Gracie and eventually was able to convince her to try pulling it.  Kelli tied a piece of dental floss around the top of her tooth, but Gracie wasn’t ready to let Kelli give it a pull.  After about an hour of anticipation, and several small tugs later, Gracie gave the floss a swift jerk and out came the tooth!

 I hadn’t really thought about how difficult it must have been for Gracie to do something like that.  Inflicting pain upon oneself is never easy or fun; but she managed to overcome her fear, and successfully remove that second tooth.

Life is tough when things like your health, your job, your faith, or your relationships are hanging on by a thread.  Others can cheer you on while you brave your hardships, and you’ll find that the “tooth” comes out a lot easier that way.  I suppose that we all have experienced “loose tooth” moments in life, and I want you to know that things will always get better.  As Kelli and I encouraged Gracie to pull that front tooth, I encourage you to continue gutting it out. 

I want to thank my friends and those that have supported us throughout the years—there are some days I feel like I’m just hanging in there.   However, with all of your love and concern for my family and myself, I am easily reminded of how things will improve.  You are all wonderful people whom I will always be grateful for.

To your inspiration,

Ron

To donate to Never Give Up: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php

To donate to Ron and Family: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-ron-heagy.php

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

After 32 years since my surfing accident, my neck and spine have developed a bit of arthritis.  It was recommended by my physician to have x-rays taken to see how my vertebrae was holding up.  When I scheduled the appointment, I was told it was necessary to inject nuclear medicine into my bloodstream which would make me radioactive for a couple of days.  This concerned me even though I was assured that there would be no side effects—besides perhaps “activating some radios.”  After receiving the injection I would have to wait three hours while the radioactive material spread through my bloodstream to get a good x-ray of my vertebrae and spinal cord. 

 When I arrived at the hospital that morning, I proceeded to the elevator which is on the main entry for all levels.  Approximately 20 feet from the elevator I felt a bit sick to my stomach and at the same time I smelled a foul odor.  I immediately realized that I had messed my pants.  Kelli was behind me so I turned my chair around to let her know.  After turning 180 degrees, I looked on the tile floor and there I saw what I now call, “Ron’s version of the Hawaiian Islands” spread across the floor of the main entry.  I was stunned and embarrassed, as I needed to tell people getting off the elevator to watch out for the mess, saying, “Sorry, please watch your step.”  I have messed my pants before, but not to this degree of public awareness.  Generally, the smell is bad enough, but this time it had soiled me and the floor.  Kelli felt terrible for me and I worked hard at smiling at those that politely walked around me.  When the janitor arrived to quickly clean and sanitize the area, Kelli stuffed paper towels around my jeans like sand bags.  It took approximately 15 minutes before everything was cleared out and people could use the elevator once again.  I have never been in such a dilemma, but I did gain a new appreciation for janitors, custodians, and cleaning crews.  I made a promise to thank them if I encounter them in person in the future.  They are individuals that don’t receive the praise that they are certainly due.   

Finally, we began to make our way to the appointment with the mess in my pants.  I couldn’t reschedule, so we headed to the x-ray department in hopes they would have a bed available for Kelli to transfer me to and clean the mess.  Thank God that they did.  My wonderful wife cleaned me up and I received my nuclear injection.  I was put on the x-ray table wearing a pair of scrubs the hospital gave me.  I’m grateful that my procedure went well and the vertebrae in my neck are still in place, even though I do have arthritis and some deterioration in between my joints.

This was one of those experiences that when you look back on, you wonder how in the world could someone get through that?  We all have experiences in life that are a bit messy–sometimes we create our own “Hawaiian Islands.” We can feel a bit helpless and want to hide in despair, but we need to look back and be grateful for those that were there to clean up the mess.  I thank God for so many people, particularly my wife, the janitor, and the nurses that took the time to assist me that day.  I wonder if there is anyone that you may be grateful for that may have not received their due recognition?  Let us remember today to say thank you to those that do their job well, but may not be the ones that are in the spotlight.  I pray that we recognize those that are behind the scenes, taking care of the details that we don’t always see.  Without them, those in the spotlight would not have a chance to shine.

To your inspiration,

Ron

To donate to Never Give Up: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php

To donate to Ron and Family: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-ron-heagy.php

This is Ron Heagy,

We are at the beginning of a new year and as many of you know, asking for money is not an easy thing for me to do.  However, fundraising is necessary to continue the outreach and work we accomplish through Never Give Up.  There are many who need your support for outreach in other countries, such as India or Africa, but I need your support to spread the light to our kids here in the US.  I would like to thank you in advance for considering a donation to Never Give Up. 

Maybe you already know how I try to inspire others, but unless you actually experience one of my speaking events it is difficult to see how kids and adults respond to me through sharing my life experiences.   I used to struggle with what my purpose was after my accident, but now, I know.  I understand the way my life experience is to be used to encourage those who are struggling. 

During a speaking tour in Denver, Colorado, I had an opportunity to speak at a youth correctional facility.  It is heart-wrenching experience to speak to an audience full of incarcerated youth.  I struggled with how I would reach this population.  During my speech, I was amazed by the attentiveness of the young men sitting on the hard gym floor.  I let them know that I could identify with their desire to be free to live their life, yet every morning waking up to bars.  I told them that I recognized how discouraging it can be because I also dream of running and being free, yet, when I wake, I’m still paralyzed from the neck down.  In a way, I’ve been behind my own bars for close to 31 years.  I reminded them that they could make a choice to change and make it out of this facility someday.  They could make a choice to become better rather than bitter.  As I have done, make the most of their confined situation.  I reminded them they have life and the ability to do good in this world.    

Later, I sat at my table where my mouth art and books were displayed.   I could see a significant change reflected in the faces as each young man walked past, all of whom thanked me for being willing to visit them that day.  One particular man, with a hard look in his eyes, asked me if I would write something on a piece of paper for him.  My mind ran through hundreds of things that I could say, but for some reason I wrote, “Be strong; I love you.”  Later that day, the coordinator called to let me know that my note had broken down his protective walls–no one had ever said or written the words “I love you” to him before.  When she asked why I had chosen those words, I told her that it was on my heart at the time.  I was where I was supposed to be, to encourage that young man in that moment and I am grateful to those who helped to make that speech possible. 

This past year was extremely challenging me physically.  There are still some giants I will face in 2012, but I have been able to reflect back on very good things in 2011.  I can also see that without experiences challenges I would not have the opportunity to grow.  I have been able to meet some wonderful people and watch our lives intertwine, if even for a moment.

My family and I are looking forward to what 2012 has in store and would truly appreciate your prayers.  Together, we can inspire others to keep rolling on and reach for their dreams.  I know there are many young kids out there struggling that might need an encouragement and I do not want to miss a single one in 2012. 

We look forward to hearing from you; thank you again for your consideration in becoming a supporting member of our team.  Would you consider being one of the 25 $10.00 monthly donors that we need?  No amount is too small!                                     

Blessings to each of you!

- Ron

To donate to Never Give Up: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php

To donate to Ron and Family: http://www.ronheagy.com/donate-ron-heagy.php

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

Do you every just feel the need to ask, “Why, oh, why?”  I felt a surge of the “why-me-syndrome” until my friend reminded me of my Little Hero’s mommy, and wow!

Click here to view my short video explaining the Whyner story…oh, and don’t laugh at my muscle spasms…

Hope this message finds you well and that your new year is off to a fantastic start!  Thank you for your prayers and support.  If you’re interested in being a part of the Never Give Up team and help get the message out, click the following link: www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php

To your inspiration,

Ron