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Wheelchair Bodybuilding Gave My Life a Focus

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Contributed by: Melissa Taylor on 11/19/2007

Back in August of 1998 I was involved in an accident that would forever change my life. The left front tire on my vehicle blew out and rolled my vehicle five and a half times. I was ejected though the driver's side window, and eventually collided with my vehicle in mid-air. The outcome of these unfortunate circumstances was a broken back and a damaged spine at T12 L1, requiring titanium rods to be vertically bolted to my spine.

I was diagnosed as paraplegic, and was told that it would be physically impossible to ever walk again. That day a part of me died; yet at the same time another part of me was born. What's the one thing you gain from losing everything? Perspective. At that point, it wasn't about if my glass was half empty or half full. No, I became grateful that I have a glass and I knew is up to me to fill that glass.

Weight lifting gave me something to strive for, to succeed in, and in doing so benefited me more then I could have ever expected. Over the next few years I focused intensely on strength training and conditioning my body, and in doing so began to regain some of the sensation in my lower back and legs. A strong mind and positive attitude fueled my success becoming the crucial components to reaching my goals. I came to realize that if you set your mind to do something, and you have the courage and patience to pursue it, you can achieve spectacular things.

In 2005, I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Ottawa and presently provide personal fitness consultation and training. I'm also continuing my education through the pursuit of a nutrition certification and plan to start my Masters Program in the fall. I am able to express my passion for the sport of wheelchair bodybuilding through the creation and ownership of www.wheelchair-bodybuilding.comwhich is dedicated to promoting wheelchair bodybuilding as a whole, in an effort to increase the awareness and popularity of the sport.
Watch me compete in the upcoming Dec. 1 NPC Cyto Charge Rocky Mountain Bodybuilding Championships at East High School, 7 p.m. Go to www.jefftaylor.com for more info and tickets.
written by Nick Scott / posted by Melissa Taylor

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Melissa Taylor

Denver , CO

Melissa Taylor has posted 15 stories and 0 comments since joining on 4/27/2006. Melissa Taylor 's average story rating is 5.

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