This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

On Easter weekend, my family and I went to the Saturday Night Service at our church.  The music and message really touched my heart and gave me a renewed sense of hope, something I have not felt a lot of lately.  During the service, I thought to myself how desperate I was for prayer; specific things I knew could only come from God.  The service ended and as we were leaving, I ran into my friend Sam.  I took an exit that I normally do not take, so the odds of us meeting were extremely high.  Sam is a very bright individual in his 50’s, and like myself, he has faced many medical challenges.  Sam told me that he was very concerned about his upcoming appointment with his neurosurgeon.  After many surgeries, Sam was deemed unable to work and now has to walk using a cane.  We went to find a quiet spot where we could talk privately.  After sitting down, Sam said, “I need you to pray for me.  My neurosurgeon has been talking about taking my driver’s license away.”  Because of a few small seizures Sam had experienced in the past, his neurosurgeon was concerned that he would no longer be fit to drive.  This would result in a rather great loss of independence for Sam.  It was strange, I remember the last time I had seen Sam I had thought it was so wonderful that he could still drive.

If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDDp9nQlzXU

Even though I was hoping for someone to pray for me that day, my attention was moved to Sam.  I was very aware of his desperation and could feel the discouragement he was experiencing.  I could definitely relate to the loss in independence.  I prayed for Sam throughout that day and into the following day when he had his appointment.  Sam called afterwards, and said, “I’ve got good news!  Despite all of the reasons that they could take my license, they chose not to!”  I was as excited as he was that he could hold onto this freedom.  After discussing the awesome outcome, I felt comfortable sharing some of my current struggles.  He said a prayer for me, and by the next day, the most wonderful thing happened: the Lord had answered both of our prayers!

Kelli and I have been worrying over my medical bills and how we’d be able to cover them lately, and unbeknownst to us, two loving sets of friends had contributed funds to help offset the cost!  We are so grateful to be able to move forward in purchasing necessary medical supplies.  I am humbled and grateful for Sam’s prayers.  I also have a big thank you to all of our supporters—each of you makes such a difference in my family’s life.

I’m not sure how God makes all of this work, but it’s quite obvious to me that when we take time to listen and pray for others that we open ourselves up to being blessed.  I think it’s important for us all to take a moment from our busy lives and unselfishly pray for someone else.  More than likely, it will change their life.

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:

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to speak at the Fullness of Life Foundation; a non-profit organization that provides financial support to families with children who have life-threatening illnesses.  Following my speech, I was introduced to a boy named Santos.  Santos had been diagnosed with inoperable brain tumors.  Despite his prognosis, his positive spirit shined through; he emanated hope and joy.  He and I immediately connected; I could not help but want to hug him.  I asked his mother if she could help him onto my wheelchair.  Holding back tears, I did the best I could to hug him with what flexibility I had.  His soft, young face pressed against mine and I told him that I loved him.  It was so hard to see his smiling face and know what pain he was in.   His unselfish love was evident to all that were around him.

During the course of our conversation with Santos and his mother, I found myself smiling each time I looked at Santos.  However, I could honestly say, that I had trouble fighting back the emotions that were welling up inside.  Santos noticed the Smiley face I had hanging from the chin-control on my wheelchair and kept squeezing it.  I asked him if he would like to have the Smiley face.  He looked me in the eyes and a glowing smile engulfed his small face; I could feel the presence of God in him.  Words cannot express what I felt that day, I just know that I will be forever changed by the honor of meeting Santos.  Kelli and I’s experience with Santos made me realize how much we take for granted in life.

Santos and I

It has been a battle for Santos and his mother, Leticia.  I recently received a message from her, stating that Santos has not been doing so well lately.  He has been having trouble eating and is in hospice care.  I would humbly ask that you would visit Leticia’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=803309324) to leave loving words of support, and that you would visit Santos’ CaringBridge page (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/santosarreola) if you would like to like to donate to their family.

Like most people, watching children suffer is, without a doubt, the worst thing one can imagine.  There are so many children who are struggling in our local community.  In spite of our reservations, I believe we all must do what we can to encourage these little ones while there’s still time.  For Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”  You can help fill their hearts with love, peace, and joy.  May this be a reminder of how grateful we should be for our own good health and that of our family.

I want to say “thank you” to my supporters for having made it possible for me to meet so many life-changing individuals such as Santos and his family.  I want you all to know how much of a difference you make in the lives of others.

To your inspiration,

Ron

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

I will begin by stating what I have said in the past, “it’s not the circumstance, situation, past or present problems that truly matter; it’s how you handle them.”  I realized that sometimes it’s easier to say than to put it into practice.  Sometimes the problem becomes so overwhelming that we don’t know quite how to handle it, so we give up instead.  I’ve had a few of those experiences in the last couple of years; times when I felt it was not worth the fight.  However, I’ve asked the good Lord for some strength and have shared with friends that inspire me and, lo-and-behold, I make it another day.  So fight the good fight, keep the faith, and don’t give up.

The following video is a word to my friends who have had a similar experience to mine: 

If you cannot view video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDDp9nQlzXU&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp

Our problems don’t seem as big sometimes when we see the problems of others.  “I used to complain about not having shoes until I met a man without feet.”

Thank you to those who have stepped in and prayed for us, provided encouragement, and given us financial support.  After some years, I’m still fighting to prove to the Social Security Administration that I really am disabled, so every little bit of support we receive has great value to my family.

To your inspiration,

Ron

Hello, friends,

We were looking through our inventory and couldn’t help but notice these nice larger prints.  As a thank you to all of our friends and supporters, we are offering these prints at a discounted price.  They are high quality lithographs of Ron’s mouthpaintings, and best of all, these prints are some of our largest (25” by 20” for Protect Your Own and 16” by 20” for Eternal Light)!

If you are interested in this special discount, you will need to email us at office@ronheagy.com and let us know which print you would like, the quantity, and how you would like to pay.  Remember, to receive the discount, you must email us–if you try to purchase the prints from our website it will charge you the full amount.  $20.00 per print, free shipping; original value of $45.00!

Protect Your Own

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

A few years back I was speaking to a group of newly-injured individuals while I was visiting Denver, Colorado at the Spinal Cord Injury Center in Craig Hospital.  To be honest, I have a very difficult time speaking to young men and women who are facing the same challenges that I have experienced.  I’m not exactly sure what to say and worry that my presence is bittersweet.  They all dream of getting well again and getting back on their feet, but there I sit in front of them, 32 years in a wheelchair.  I want to reassure them that things will get better and that they can overcome these struggles.  As I speak to them, I hope that what I’m saying is encouraging and not discouraging.  In spite of my uneasiness, however, my story did leave hope and inspiration with 17 individuals and their families that day.

As I shared my story, my attention was drawn to a young man who was paralyzed from the neck down and was dependent on a ventilator.  His parents stood close to him during my talk to the patients and Tyler smiled every once in a while when I cracked a stupid joke.  I remember noticing the brightly colored tennis shoes that he wore.  After my presentation I approached Tyler and asked, “hey, dude, where did you get those fancy tennis shoes?”  The ventilator pushed air into his lungs and he responded, “Nike made them for me.”  Tyler was a snowboarder who was moving up quickly and sponsors were getting behind him, including Nike.  He had made it to the United States of America Snowboarding Association (USASA) Nationals when a freak accident occurred.  After an incredible run, the nose of his board had become embedded in the snow and launched him forward into a snow bank.  The packed snow snapped his vertebrae and he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down.  He was only 14 at the time.

We ended up speaking for quite some time and it turned out that he was from Bend, Oregon.  Being Oregonians ourselves, we decided to get together again once Tyler was finished with his rehabilitation.  Over the years, we have met up with each other several times and on every occasion we help inspire one another.  It is encouraging to have friends who are living under similar circumstances and are able to relate to your struggle.  I have inspired and motivated Tyler, and in turn, he has truly been an inspiration to me.

This last weekend, Tyler, his parents, and his girlfriend came by for a visit.  He was excited to introduce his girlfriend and also to show us his project, a van loaded with new high tech equipment.  It was heartwarming to see his girlfriend sit and hold his paralyzed hand.  She was able to look past his paralysis; you could tell their hearts were connected.  The way that they looked at each other was reminiscent of my wife and me when we first got together.

To watch a video of Tyler and his new van:

If you cannot view the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFdG_9IZaso

If you cannot view the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZsQyfwyyE

You never know when and where God will bring a person into your life that not only inspires you, but reaches you on a deeper level.  Sometimes in our weakest moments, something wonderful will happen.  I’ve had several opportunities to speak at Craig Hospital and each time I’ve experienced a blessing.  I encourage you to go beyond your weakness because it is in that moment that we may change or be changed by the presence of another life. I thank the Lord for bringing our families together and I pray that Tyler will continue to rise above his physical limitations.

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