Local kiteboarder fights back after serious injury
Editor’s note: This is the continuation of a story that ran in the January 2015 edition of ServeDaily.
After waking up from the coma, I was in the Rehab Clinic for six weeks. A total of two months had gone by since I had the accident and I was being released from the hospital. Then began the life recovery process.
I worked with Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo and Physical Therapist Shane Rosenberg and continued my fight to walk. When I left the hospital I could only walk a few feet unaided. Now it was all up to me and my attitude was I must do it!
Over the next year, I progressively improved my walking. Goal number one: I walked from the front door of my house to the end of the block. Goal number two, I walked around the block and then around my neighborhood. Later, I finally reached my goal of one mile. My next major goal was to reach three miles, which took another year.
Then another shift in the plans occurred. I had what I thought was an ab-
scessed tooth and went to the dentist. The dentist took X-rays, sent me to see a specialist and they did a biopsy. Then life dealt me yet another wonderful hand - a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer. No way could this be happening to me after what I have just been through. I wanted to be sure and had a second biopsy on my jaw. The same result!
I immediately got into cancer treatment at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. The next six months were filled with infusion visits to the HCI Chemotherapy Clinic and then a couple of months of radiation treatment back at UVRMC. I was told that my chemotherapy side effects would include night sweats, nausea and a severe fever. However, God spared me having to suffer these effects, but I did lose all my hair. Nine months later, I finished the treatment process and began the waiting game of remission. Year one went by and no re-growth of the cancer. Year two, same result and the cancer is now gone and I am in complete remission. It was time to get goal-focused again. The winter of 2013 marked a huge advancement for me. I got back on a kiteboard on the snow and started to re-train my muscles to be capable of handling the forces of kiteboarding again. I was able to move back to the water in the summer of 2014.
Early in 2014, I started athletic training with Elevated CrossFit. I shared my story and goal of recovery with coaches Tyson Henrie, Braden Jenkins and Alan Perkes. They designed a program of modified exercises for my abilities and I am improving my balance and strength.
I have been inspired to share my story and help others through giving positive inspiration. My next goal is to motivate and inspire others to achieve their goals and dreams. I will continue to reach for new goals and motivate others to “Do it!” Whatever your dreams are, you can do it! You must do it!
To have Darren Sayers speak live for your event or group, contact him at imustdoit@mail.com.