The beginning
My name is Kelsey Box, I am a T12 complete paraplegic. Almost eleven years ago I would've never thought my life would change drastically. But it did. On January 19th, 2013, I was extremely depressed, going through a heartbreak when I decided I no longer wanted to live. I drove my truck into a ditch going almost 100mph destroying it. I woke up not able to move, thinking I was going to burn alive when I smelt gas. I kept blacking out and woke up in the hospital with my family around me. They told me that I had broken my back and was going to be fixed. The next day, we found out I only had a one-in-a-million chance to walk again. Before I was paralyzed I raced off-road trucks, so naturally, my first question was if I could race again. Thankfully my dad built me a modified race truck. But a year into my injury I was hooked to the pain pills I was prescribed. Then I started using heroin and meth. I had turned into a different person. During that time my dad and I had gotten into an argument which led to the police being called. I left and not a half hour later I found out the state troopers unlawfully shot my dad. I went even deeper into my addiction and didn't know where else to go. Soon, I met my wife and was finally able to stay sober. With the help of her and my family, I am over 5 years sober. I went to college for my welding certification and now weld today. Life is not easy but once you get past the daily struggles of being in a wheelchair, you find ways to do it. We have a one-year-old son, and I can take care of him just like an able-bodied person. I plan on becoming an advocate for people with disabilities, I want to help them overcome the obstacles in their life. No matter how big of a mountain is in front of you the top is always the most beautiful.
