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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Dear Friends and Partners,
I wanted to send a letter to those I love, who are dear
to my heart and wish you and your family the warmest
love-filled Christmas ever.
This time of year fills my soul with joy, fond memories
and hope. But for many, this season brings sadness and
depression. I believe the difference has everything to do
with our focus. Society bombards us with materialism, but
there’s so much more. What about a smile, a hug, a simple
handshake, a walk in the park, a kind word — or just the
reassuring presence of another human being? Fill your
minds with the good you can do this year. We have so much
to be grateful for…
I have spoken at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, which
specializes in spinal cord injuries. I sat face to face
with more than a dozen precious individuals who had
recently become paralyzed by various accidents, each one
now dependant on others just to survive. My story and life
gave them a spark of hope to go on. When it was over, I
approached the elevator with a smile on my face and a
feeling of contentment in my heart. A therapist quickly
interrupted my reverie by asking, “Could you please
visit one more person? Randy is a father of three and
while on vacation with his wife, he dove in the surf and
was paralyzed from the neck down. He is
ventilator-dependent and confined to his room”. I was
tired, hungry, and ready to go. “Haven’t I given enough?” I
thought.
Rolling into Randy’s room was like being in the presence
of an angel. I had no idea what a smile from a
completely motionless man could do for me. Thoughts ran
through my head as I saw myself lying there 25 years ago.
He won’t be able to hold his wife, get himself up, dressed,
bathed or fed. The father the family depended on is now
fully dependent on others. Randy won’t wrap presents for
his kids, hide Easter eggs, cut the holiday turkey. He
won’t play catch with his boys, or apply a band-aid to a
scraped knee. But his smile illuminated my soul with
incredible peace! Randy’s respirator pushed a gurgling
shot of oxygen into his lungs as he whispered, “Thank . . .
you . . . for taking . . . the time to see . . . me….I
too...will...carry on.” Fighting off the tears, we spoke
softly. I told him how much I needed his inspiration!!
Thank God that he chooses to live… Randy is now home with
his family (still paralyzed and vent-dependent) . He has
gone back to work and is active in his community; in fact,
he was responsible for getting me in front of the Boise
State football team to speak. Even though I felt
exhausted, his presence refreshed my soul and reminded me
of what God has done for me.
I was also invited to speak in Baton Rouge, Louisiana this
year, just two weeks before the hurricane. At the last
minute I had a cancellation, leaving me financially short
of paying the traveling fees. I made a decision to go on
faith. When we arrived, my friend said a church just
filled the gap. Though they don’t bring in outside
speakers, the Pastor felt he should have me. After my
message, a number of young people approached me crying.
They shared that their friend, a 13-year-old girl, was
recently killed on her inner-tube when she hit a tree. My
story of trusting God even when terrible things happen was
just what they needed. My visit released their depression
and restored their hope. I had no clue before I spoke,
this had happened and it blew my mind when the pastor
said he booked me on faith two hours before the girl was
killed. Wow! I am thankful I went on faith resulting in
4000 people being inspired to weather life’s storms and
keep the faith...
I am blessed to experience so many personal life stories.
Each one would literally fill an entire book!
Please don’t miss the mega moments in time that God allows
you to experience. Let your life be the gift you give!
The passion of Christ, for example, who gave himself
unselfishly. In 2006, I would like you to join me in
focusing on love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness,
meekness and self-control.
As you may know, I have spoken to millions of children and
adults nationwide. As a result of the troubles we face in
our society today, the need for my speaking has greatly
increased. There is a lack of funds necessary to meet
these requests. Will you help in making a difference?
With your tax-deductible gift, we will not only be able to
give the life-changing message to more students, we will
have the opportunity to inspire many more people with
disabilities to be all that they were meant to be.
My goal is to raise $60,000 by the end of next summer,
enabling me to speak to 50 schools in 2006-07. If you have
heard my message and believe in what I do, I ask that you
join me in helping the next generation...
For your pledge of $10 or more a month, or a $50 or more
one time gift, I will send you my revised autobiography.
For a gift of $250 or above, I will send you my mouth
painting, a lithograph copy of “Warm Fellowship”), inspired
by my little country church that stood behind my family
during the hard times. It will be a signed open edition,
measuring 18"x23". (For more great art and info visit
www.rollonron.com.)
Thank you for your support! We look forward to hearing
from you soon. Have a wonderful, blessed New Year, and
don’t forget... “Smile!”
May God richly bless you!
Ron Heagy
Make your tax deductible donation to Never Give Up, USA, a
non profit 501©(3) National Heritage Foundation, dedicated
to serving the youth and disabled individuals. If you are
interested in receiving your tax deduction for 2005, checks
must be dated on or before December 31, 2005. (Note : the
IRS requires only gifts totaling $250 or more receive a
receipt.)
Ron Heagy
C/O Never Give Up, USA
P.O. Box 972
Albany, OR 97321
Visit our website at: www.rollonron.com
Email: ron@rollonron.com
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