Risk Taker

I grew up in Lancaster, Ohio and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1977. While in school, I was actively involved with sports, social functions and extracurricular activites. After high school I began to sell cars and was quite successful. Over the next several years, I sold cars in Lancaster, Zanesville, and Columbus. Everything was going great.
On September 7th 1984, my entire life changed. On that day, I drank two beers, smoked some pot and got on a motorcycle without a helmet. I was riding 25mph around a corner when I hit a curb, flipped over the handlebars and broke my neck.
The accident left me a quadriplegic (C6). I am paralyzed from the chest down; do not have full use of my arms and no finger function. I was in the hospital for four months and in Dodd Hall Rehab at the Ohio State University Hospital for six months.
"While in the hospital I went into Code Blue three times.The doctors didn't know what was going on. During exploratory surgery, they found I had lived with a ruptured appendix for over two weeks and the poisin was all through my stomach area. It's only by the grace of God that I lived. I feel like I got a second chance at life and I am taking advantaqge of it.
I talk on the dangers of drinking and driving and how "I Never Thought It Would Happen To Me". The wheelchair really gets their attention. I have a promotional DVD I send out to promote my speaking engagements. I've had the good fortune to be able to use my disability to help others understand that people with disabilities are people first and our disabilities are second. I have been in a three nationally distributed training videos for people with a disabilities and doing my public speaking for over twenty years to TABs (Temporarily Abled Body)
What helps me cope with my situation is my faith in the Lord. I've been a Christian since I was a young teen but I put God on the shelf quite a few times. He was always there it was I who strayed. I've been more serious about my walk since the early 90's, however, I have gone through some deserts, but He has always brought me through them.
WHAT PEOPLE THINK
ABOUT DECISIONS AND CONSEQUENCES:
Outstanding presentation! Very informative and allows students to see the obstacles that people with disabilities face daily."
-Roger Mace, Principal, Bloom Carroll High School
“Mac establishes a connection with students through his open and honest approach, leaving a solid message positive impact on his audience.”
-Steve Wigton, Assistant Principal, Lancaster High School
“This message hits right to the heart of respecting life, minute by minute and reminds youth that the choices they make will indeed affect the rest of their lives.”
-Bea Dorman, School-to-work coordinator, Logan Elm High School
“Mac shares his poignant life story that serves as a warning to all that no one fully controls their own destiny, and gives a message that with stamina and perseverance you can prevail and create a full and satisfying life.”
-Barbara Riley, Former Director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services