As most of you may know, but mainly for those who don't. My name is Dave, a.k.a Weasel. The nickname "Weasel" was given to me back in High School. I am 26 years old, going on 27, in February 19th. Back in June of 99', I had a life changing experience. I had a motorcycle accident which left me paralized from the waist down. I also lost the movement of my fingers. I am a C-5 paraplegic, but if you ask me, there isn't a damn thing wrong with me. I am just as I was before my accident, with the exception of being a little shorter. I spent 11 months in and out of rehab/nursing homes before I finally came home on April 14th. I am now back home with family and friends. I live with my father and his girlfriend and her daughter. We have 6 dogs, all of which are toy poodles. Since the last 7 years since my accident I have regained more than just strength in my arms and legs. I can wiggle my toes; sometimes anyway, thumb, and have sensation in my legs, torso and lower back. Not bad for someone who was told they would never walk nor feel anything again.

To me this is nothing more than just a challenge. I am not disabled or handicapped, instead I am "CAPABLE" of living life just as you or anyone else does. If you ask if I felt this way 5 months ago I would tell you "No". I was at an all time low. Depression is a pain in the ass to get out of once it becomes comfortable. Now I see that I am able to live a life as anyone else. A first reaction from most people, when they first find out I'm paralized, is to say "Oh, Im sorry". Why apologize for something you had no control over? Why say your sorry? Is it because you feel it's the right thing to say, or have become speechless and dont know what else to say? Don't feel or say your sorry. It's only what makes each person unique. Depression in my situation is still an on going batlle. A few weeks ago I attempted to commit suicide, by swallowing a bottle of pills. As a result I spent sometime in a physc ward and have been placed on some new medication to help with the depression and stabalize my mood. Both seem to work very well. However, the meds don't just help alone, I am also seeing doctors at Marshy Hope and in an IOP (intensive out patient). I feel better now than I have in the years following my accident. I am glad and happy to be and feel alive again.

Ask anyone who is and has been around me what they think of me. I bet the first thing you will hear from them is that I have a great personality and a new and improved outlook on life. If anything this accident has made me aware of the fact that some things you just can't give up on. My life is on of them. One of these days I will walk again despite of what the statistics show. Life is just not meant to be easy. If it was we would all be who we said we would be when we grew up. Some things in our lives are not only planned but are meant to happen for some reason. By planned I mean that when we are born we're all given a hand of cards that our life is based on. It is up to us to make the outcome the best as possible, no matter the outcome. My accident was meant to happen, for whatever reason that may be, I haven't discovered yet. Till than the Weasel will keep on rolling and raising Hell.

A few words to everyone who comes to this webpage. First of all I am a person just like everyone else out there. Just because I happen to have a disability doesn't make me any less capable of being human. I am capable of everything you or anyone else is capable of. So what if I can't walk, does that make me any less of a man. No, it doesn't. If anything it makes me more of a man than most. I say this with attitude, for the simply reason that my life is the same routine day in and day out. I have to wake up each morning, greatful mind you, and face the fact that I have to get in my wheelchair. I live my own life, no one does it for me. These are just a few things I am begining to understand about myself. I will be honest with you that yes my life may be hell, but who's isnt now-a-days. I am alive what more can be said. I am different and I can now say I am proud of it. For those who say I can't do something because of my disablitiy, I have two words for you: WATCH ME!!!! I will not be stop nor will I hide any longer and cower in a corner watching life pass by. Now it is my turn to show everyone just what Weasel can and will do. One day I will walk, not that its important to me anymore. I mean who cares if I do walk again, I dont. Each day is a new day and I will survive. Dont ever let anyone tell you that you cant do something or that your worthless. Instead use those words against them and show them that you can and that you are worth something. A great man once said: "As the old saying goes, you better know what you want because you might get it and you've got to accept it. Whether you succeed or whether you encounter adversity, you always have to believe in your WORTH as a person. That's what counts."

When I was first injured I though it`must be my fault, that I was being punished for being a bad person. That is a natural reaction for anyone on my situation. Its taken a great part of 4 years for me to realize that it wasn't my fault nor was I being punished. In fact there was nothing that could've been done to prevent it. It was inevitable, as are many things in this world. Many people have dedicated their time and efforts to help me realize this. They know who they are and also know I hold them dear to my heart. I thank each and everyone of you for your time and for showing me that there is a life after a disability.