Search For : Quitters Story     Here is some background info on the people who appear in the video: Brandon Sulser's words: I believe that life experiences can be extraordinarily challenging and redefining. During my life, I've learned that the only thing that is constant is change! For example, when I was twelve years old, I fell while mountain biking in the Wasatch Mountains. The serious nature of this accident and the resulting severe head injuries almost cost me my life. Following cranial surgery, I spent years re-learning many basic skills, including spelling and mathematics as well as the ability to speak clearly without stuttering or tripping over my words. As a result, I lost a lot of self-confidence and felt the isolation that only those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries can understand. After an unbelievable amount of hard work and through the loving support of my family, I eventually overcame many of my challenges. In high school, I felt as though I was on top of the world; I had a good job, a large circle of friends, and standing six feet 2 inches, I had three percent body fat and could bench over 300 pounds. However, unbeknownst to me, my life was about to take another redefining turn. In the summer of 1998, I traveled to Lake Powell, in Southern Utah. On the second-to-last day of our trip, my friends and I hiked up a canyon known for its large sandhills. A couple of us decided to run down the sandhill. When my buddies and I got closer and closer to water and were ready to dive in head first, I suddenly felt my legs trip up in the sand and I was forced to dive into the water prematurely. I immediately heard a snap and felt as though a bolt of lightning struck my whole body. The impact of diving into the shallow water broke my neck and I quickly lost everything I had taken for granted in life. I physically became a quadriplegic; I broke the c-4, c-5 cervical bones in my neck and bruised my spinal cord. The accident left me paralyzed from the upper chest on down. My prognosis is labeled quadriplegic because I am unable to move my fingers, legs and chest, and have limited movement in my arms. In spite of my challenges, I have learned to be happy and successful by adapting to change. I have not allowed my adversity to control or steer me off my life's path. I believe that my successful attempt to overcome the challenges life has thrown at me has imbued me with a heightened sense of compassion for others. It has also fueled my desire to help those who struggle, those who feel isolated and those who need a listening ear. I believe one day I got Grace I will walk again and rejoice with the Lord for the things that I've lost but more importantly for the things that I've gained this paralyzing circumstance. For I know that no matter what situation life brings if you have faith and hope God will cause every situation to work out for your good. So I keep pushing toward my dreams not becoming better by my challenges but better for them. I will not quit when the Lord is on my side for quitting is for quitters! Currently I'm getting my Masters degree in Social work so that I may help those whose burdens seem too heavy to bear. Over the last nine years of sitting down on wheels, I've been blessed with the opportunity to travel throughout the western United States speaking to churches, schools and youth programs about push forward successfully through adversity.