Can you believe the summer is almost gone? This year has been flying by for me. Next week will be the last week for my full-time physical therapy. I have to give Darrell a lot of credit. Every step of the way he knew just how much to push me. He's given me a lot of exercises to keep doing while I continue my rehabilitation. How do you ever thank someone enough for helping you walk again? Darrell told me that in his 11+ years of Spinal Cord Injury work, he has not seen anyone come as far back as I have. What a miracle…what a MIRACLE! I say thank you to God, Darrell, my wife (that is a story of strength and courage all in itself), my mother, my family (Jim & Janet for keeping everyone up-to-date with the web-site and for stepping up to the plate when I got hurt), my friends (you'll never know how much your support and encouragement has meant to Candi and me. Mark Forno, words are not enough to say thank you for all your help. The web-site will forever be etched into my soul. Dwight Bostwick flying in from Iowa to watch me rotate in a bed. Mark Presar for being right there. Brent & Karen Porter, Bruce Corum, Brian & Kristy, Gale & Jim Olson, Leon Kuglar, Dan O'Donnell, Sarah Learmouth, Seagate, Baymonte, Mags, Kracher, the Ariba Team, and so many more) I am humbled…truly humbled.

While speaking in Oregon last month, I had the chance to see a young man, paralyzed from the nose down, sign (with the help of his assistant Annie) to Hero by Mariah Carey. It was one of the most special things I have witnessed in my life. There was not a dry eye in the place, not one. It made me immediately stop and think of all the heroes in my life. I want to give special recognition to a couple. My mother and father-in-law, Elwin and LaVonne Claassen. They have been through so much the last few years and they just keep on going with faith that I'm sure can move a mountain. My mother-in-law would sing "God will make a way" with tears streaming down her face as I lay in my bed unable to move and uncertain of what the future held for me, her daughter, and two of her grandchildren. I will never forget that sight. I know she wanted to take my pain away so badly. My father-in-law would come to the hospital night after night and he would sit by my bedside. Some nights he would hold my hand, others he would read scripture, others I would tell him I was afraid and he would offer reassurance, and some nights he would be there…just BE there. I will never be able to express enough gratitude for the unconditional love they have shown me time and time again. If you've had the opportunity to meet them, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

On December 16th, 2000, life as I knew it was changed forever. Now I turn the page with a whole new appreciation for people with disabilities and strive to make a difference with Whitney Hope. I still have a left arm & hand that don't work very well, and a left ankle that needs to get stronger. But, that's nothing compared to what could have been. Thank you so much for your thoughts & prayers and I strongly encourage you to follow Whitney Hope going forward. The people we will be working with are going to need heroes and with your support, you may be one of them…God Bless.

Dan