John Manessis astoria, ny, United States of America

T8-T9 fracture, brown secord incomplete, September 1997

I stopped to help a drunk driver on a highway in September of 1997. While out of the car a second drunk driver struck the car I was leaning into sending me 30 feet down the road. I was diagnosed with a t8-t9 fracture and had a 13 hour surgery to stabilize my spine. I was told I would never walk again. I am happy to say that I proved the doctors wrong. I am walking today though I can't run and sometimes walk with a limp. I sympathize with all paralyzed persons because I remember the 3 months I couldn't walk. The doctors never give me straight answers when I ask them why I am walking. While I am extremely thankful I am always looking for new ways to try and heal further. We must push forward and be tireless in our efforts to once and for all cure paralysis. If people could feel what it's like to "not feel" for one day then maybe our plight would be further ahead.