Photo Credit: Arianna Kilmer, QuadShox LLC

The young man in this photo has a smile that could power New York City’s Times Square. He carries a heart bigger than North America. He Is America’s Gutsiest CEO.

He’s quadriplegic. He’s also my beloved nephew, John Morris, CEO of QuadshoX LLC. 

Ten Years Ago I Received The Worst Phone Call of My Life

My sister, Cecilia Gorman, called me. She was crying. Cec told me something terrible happened. Johnny became a C-4 quadriplegic because of a spinal cord injury from a snowboarding accident. He was only 18 years old. His life changed instantly.

Johnny was hospitalized an hour from my former home. While driving that night, I tried to prepare myself for what I would say to him and his family when I saw them. Whenever I get together with extended Gorman Family members, laughter, drink, and joy fuel our gatherings.

I’m the one who’s expected to be funny during those occasions. I’m the one who’s supposed to have a quick line or a clever comeback.

 

What Do You Say To Someone You Love When His Life Changes FOREVER

What do you say to someone you love who is a phenomenal athlete how he may never walk again. What do you say to someone you played catch with in front of Coors Field Stadium when he was seven (7) years old and now that simple pleasure is taken away? What do you say to someone when you know his life now becomes more difficult in ways you can’t possibly fathom?

What do you say to someone (who reminds you of yourself) when his life will NEVER be the same?

I stood next to Johnny’s hospital bed and tried to provide support (if I even said anything at all).

I saw fear in his eyes. I saw the scared shitless look of someone who didn’t know what to expect tomorrow.

I had nothing that night. I didn’t know what to say. I was scared shitless too.

 

Ten Years Later, Johnny, The Gorman Family, and I Celebrated His Graduation from Colorado State University

The Weekend of May 16, 2015 became one of the most joyous celebrations of my life. Johnny graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Economics. He Did It!

Johnny overcame unbelievable odds to earn his college degree. I know and believe he’s destined for greatness as CEO of his company, QuadshoX. No one has Johnny’s heart and guts. He persevered when he had every reason to quit.

He relentlessly battled every day for a decade. He WOULD NOT allow adversity to prevent him from crossing the finish line.

Johnny’s sheer force of mental will made this remarkable moment possible for all of us who love him:

 

 

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Confirms 6 Million+ Americans Suffer From Some Form of Paralysis

Imagine the combined metropolitan populations of Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia. Now, imagine every person in those US cities confined to and living in a wheelchair.

It’s a huge number. It’s a huge deal. It’s 1 in 50 Americans living with a spinal cord injury — Just ask Six-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Amy Van Dyken-Rouen:

Like Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, Johnny’s mission is to make a meaningful difference in these 6 million+ lives.  Johnny founded QuadshoX to improve the quality of ride, comfort, and life for wheelchair-bound children and adults. Improving the lives of wheelchair-bound people (like himself) is why Johnny’s Taking His Turn (in the copyrighted words of Seth Godin).

 

Please Join Me in Supporting Johnny and Team QuadshoX So They Crush Their $96,000 Kickstarter Goal

Here’s the YouTube video Team QuadshoX produced to promote their Kickstarter Page.  Johnny’s and Team QuadshoX’s story is remarkable:

 

Click here for the QuadshoX Kickstarter Project Page. You can also find Johnny and the Team Quadshox Kickstarter Project by typing in the search terms: “Help John Start QuadshoX” in Kickstarter’s Search Box.

 

Tenacity, Courage, and Fire Now Run Through Johnny’s Eyes

Ten years ago, I saw Johnny’s fear. I saw his fear of an unknown life ahead of him.

That’s ancient history. During a joyful, May 2015 family celebration, I witnessed something inspiring that forever changed my life:

• I saw a leader’s eyes filled with infinite hopes and possibilities.

• I saw a leader and an advocate determined to make millions of people’s lives better.

• I saw a leader who ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT QUIT because …

• … The QuadFather’s declared: He Will Conquer The World (note: via 9NEWS (KUSA)).

 

I SAW AMERICA’S GUTSIEST CEO.

 

Look at this picture. I dare you to tell me AND Johnny you don’t see the same:

 

A Five Dollar Donation ($5) Will Make a Massive Difference in a Wheelchair-Bound Person’s Life

Thank You and Please Join Me in Financially Supporting Johnny and The Team QuadshoX Kickstarter Campaign. A five dollar donation ($5) will impact the quality of ride, comfort, and life for children and adults living in a wheelchair.

Forever.

I know it will …

… because America’s Gutsiest CEO (aka The QuadFather) is my nephew. And, I love him.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: I have no financial stake or investment equity in Quadshox LLC. Zero. Nada. Nothing. My vested interest in Johnny’s and QuadshoX’s success is personal (and emotional).

 

Your Turn

Please let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear from you. I’m here to read, listen, and learn from YOUR PERSPECTIVE.   Comments are open. So let’er rip!

 

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