I am Craig

The other day someone asked me how I got through the initial weeks and months following my accident. “How did you deal with such a major change in life, knowing that things would never be the same again?” she asked.

First and foremost, of course, I named my huge number of supporters who showed up at the hospital from the first night in the ER, to those friends and family members who visited me daily in the ICU and rehab. I could not have had such a good attitude and positive outlook without my cheerleaders.

But then, I found myself singing the praises of a very special place that has given and continues to give me the tools, support and opportunities to succeed—that place is Craig Hospital. It’s the greatest place you never want to have to go to, yet if you need it, there just isn’t a better place to be. Craig’s philosophy is that the whole of a person should be rehabilitated following a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury. And the goal of the staff is to make sure that patients leave there with their lives back and hope intact.

Craig was where I learned how to get around with my wheelchair, drive with my hands, do wheelies down curbs and to push a racing chair. I learned that even with my injury I could still do all the same things I did before my accident; I just learned that I would have to do them differently. When I told my doctor, nurses and therapists that I wanted to do a half marathon just five months after I was discharged from the hospital, they didn’t flinch or tell me it wasn’t possible. They gave me the skills and confidence to reach my goals.

But don’t just take it from me. Check out this video and prepare to be inspired.

I think being a former patient of Craig means different things to different people, but I think that most would agree it’s a place where miracles happen and lives are changed…for the better. I am always proud to say I am Craig