I get frustrated with paralyzed people who complain and sit waiting for science to cure them. I believe you must get out and live life to the fullest now.
We all make choices. If you do not like the choice you made, then change it. I wish that the play that injured me had never happened. However, I know that the only injury that could have truly changed me is one to my head. I focus on what I can do. The only thing I cannot do is play football but, at my age, I am now too old to play anyway. I strongly believe that tough times never last but tough people do.
I realize that I must give my respect back to God for all I have, by always giving 100%. Faith has always been there from day one.
Every chance you get, you had better enjoy yourself, because you might not get the chance again for your heart has only so many beats. You need to forget the negative outcomes. What you need to remember is what you have to do in the future. People succeed by doing small things that are built one on top of the other. This is what gets you to the top of the mountain. You have to take the first step.
Mike Utley was a tackle for the Detroit Lions. On November 17, 1991 he was paralyzed during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. Provided by: www.survivingadversity.com
