In 2007, my family and I were on our way to church on Christmas Eve when a 92-year-old man ran a stop sign and hit our car. The impact took the lives of my father and my brother’s girlfriend. I sustained an injury to my spinal cord, which left me paralyzed from the waist down. The surgeon gave me a 1% chance of moving my legs again, and an even lower chance of walking.

In the days and months following the accident, I faced not only a difficult grieving process but also a grueling rehabilitation journey, both mentally and physically. Life as I knew it was forever changed. I clung to faith and relied on God to see me through.

Despite the challenges, I persevered. Through unwavering faith, I became independent again and was blessed with an incredible comeback story. After two years of intense physical therapy, I began working out with the U of M football team’s strength staff. In the fall of 2010, I achieved my goal of leading the Michigan Wolverines onto the field for their home opener, accompanied by my mom, Elliott, and oldest brother, Blake.