The Story of Robert Mudge: 20 Years After a Night that Changed It All

They always want to know how I've done it and how I've kept smiling all along the way.

Well, I've just chosen to focus my attention.

That's what I want to do for you.

I hope to inspire you.

You know what?

I hope I can also be a source of inspiration for you.

When you think of a superhero, what do you think?

Is it a fictional character from a comic book flying through the sky with their tape flipping in the wind?

Or you picture something a little bit more grounded, like a doctor working hours on end to save somebody's life inside of the operating room.

Or maybe you picture the firefighters who run into the burning building when everyone else is running out.

What you probably don't picture is the type of superhero that I'm talking about today.

Because they're not going to be featured on the front page of the newspaper for doing something courageous and heroic.

They're probably not going to be booked on the today's show for the featured 8 o'clock interview spot either.

And I can almost guarantee it that if you ask them, they will tell you they are the farthest thing you can get from a superhero.

And I can also bet that the guy who I'm about to introduce to you is already starting to shake his head in disapproval.

But you know what?

It's not his podcast, it's mine.

And I get to decide who are superheroes and who are not.

Hey, this is Kevin Lowe, the host of The Lowdown with Kevin Lowe, and you are here today for episode 50.

It's easy to throw in the towel when times get tough.

It's easy to walk away when things don't go the way you thought they were going to go.

For me, a superhero is the one who doesn't walk away.

They don't give up and they keep fighting.

They keep pushing through the physical pain and they keep dealing with the emotional.

That's a superhero.

They're the kind of person who every single day, even the small things, the things that the rest of us do and don't think twice about, it's a struggle for them.

They have to fight through it.

They have to put both their physical self to the test as well as their mental.

And that's like today's guest, today's superhero, Robert Mudge.

I could have chosen to have anybody on the podcast to celebrate this big 50th episode mile marker.

And, you know, it could have been anyone from all over the world living anything with their life.

But I chose to feature the story of Robert Mudge because he's a local.

He lives right here in the same little beachside town that I do.

And matter of fact, we went to the same high school as each other.

He was four years older than me.

And so, you know, I knew about Robert.

I knew about his story, but I never had the chance to actually meet him.

And so to have him agree to come on my podcast, to be quite honest, was like having a celebrity tell me yes, they would love to be on.

So that's what I want to introduce to you today, is the story of Robert Mudd.

Now, if you've been around the podcast a time or two and participated last month in our first ever hashtag listenblind challenge, well, this episode is one of those again.

Because I feel like today's episode is so powerful that I felt there was no better episode to be part of the listen blind challenge than this one.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, this is my way of helping you even more so see the world like I do.

Because with a podcast, everybody is blind.

You don't see me, and I don't see you.

But I want to further enhance that by having you take the time out of your day to listen to this episode with your eyes closed.

Because I hope that you can really pay attention to every word that is spoken and envision what my guest has been going through, put that into your own life.

And his story, it's not one to have you feeling sorry for him.

He wouldn't want that, and neither do I.

What I want you to get out of today's episode is this feeling as though you can do anything, even when times get so tough, like they have been for Robert Mudd.

So before we get into today's interview, though, I have to give an awesome shout out to today's sponsor, Next Step Orlando.

Next Step Orlando has played a huge role in the life of today's guest, Robert Mudd.

Next Step Orlando is a nonprofit organization helping those paralyzed from spinal cord injuries, stroke, brain injuries, or other neurological disorders.

They have a slogan.

They told us to accept what we could not change.

Instead, we changed what we could not accept.

Next step Orlando provides an aggressive physical exercise-based program that targets the dysfunctional nervous system with external stimulation.

Participation in the recovery program requires hard work, dedication, and determination for recovery.

Their clients begin to notice their nervous system changing.

With functional gains, their clients are improving their health and most of all, independent.

What they are doing is absolutely life-changing, and I could not be more thrilled to have them be a part of today's episode.

If you would like to learn more about Next Step Orlando, please be sure to visit this episode's show notes where you can find links to learn more.

SPEAKER_02: Luckily, it was after I graduated because I've come across some kids, you know, or people along the way, you know, whenever you're injured like this, you you're going to rehab or you have meetings or whatever.

So you meet different people and you ask how they got hurt and when they got hurt.

And some people got hurt when they were in school still.

And I feel like that'd be pretty tough.

If I'd had this injury my sophomore junior or whatever year, I just I don't know.

I think it would have been way difficult.

SPEAKER_00: So go ahead and catch me up to speed.

So when when did your accident happen?

SPEAKER_02: So I graduated in May of 2001, and on the night of August 19th, 2001, is when I had the accident.

So I think college was starting either the following day or the next week or something close.

Like it was about to start the next chapter, and then the accident occurred.

SPEAKER_00: So now at that point, were you heading away to college?

SPEAKER_02: I was.

I was gonna go to even though I'm a like a Florida Gator fan through and through, I actually applied to Florida State, but I don't think my parents wanted me to go away.

They thought maybe I would get into some trouble or whatever, you know, if I went away.

So I think there were some some prayers and some requests not to.

And so I ended up gonna be staying here at Daytona State and go there for two years and then decide where to go from there.

SPEAKER_00: That's always the uh the thing from our parents, the sensible solution.

Yeah, you know, yeah, and so I think that's why all of us in high school always tend to fight that decision, you know.

SPEAKER_02: I mean, that's like the reason I was going to Florida State was because my friends were going there.

So it was already starting to where it was like, you know, I'd I was ready to go just for the social aspect or whatever, you know.

SPEAKER_00: Absolutely, man.

Totally get it.

Now, so now what happened though?

What did take me through it if if you don't mind the the events of of what happened?

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, well, it's it's a little different because I don't really I didn't know what happened either that night, so or that day even.

So whenever I finally came to in the hospital, you know, that took a bit of time too, because they had me um in an induced coma just to stay still and to heal and everything like that.

They didn't want me moving very much, so it really wasn't until October that I even learned that I was not like in my mind, I was driving home by myself, is what I thought.

I thought I was heading home.

In actuality, the accident occurred, me going back to drop off my friends at a house.

So uh, and there was me and three others in the car.

And by the police report and just what my friends had told me, I guess we were driving down Beach Street, which is a winding road, and I was driving too fast at the time, for sure.

And I don't know if there was something in the road or if we saw something, I don't know, but either way, I turned and corrected the vehicle and the tires, it was a brand new car, so this is like my um my graduation gift.

So prior to that, I had a a Bronco, a full-size bronco, and it was a much bigger and much wider, squattier truck, so it was much more stable, if you will.

And so when I tried to steer or avoid whatever, the tire rolled off the rim because I guess the the tires were undersized for the rim.

There was something they were they weren't right, they weren't the right size.

So the tire folded, and we then abruptly got jerked left, and I think we hit the telephone pole and rolled, and myself and my friend in the front seat were ejected from the vehicle because we weren't wearing our seat belts.

So that was one more thing that was not in our favor, not wearing seat belts.

And uh my friend regrettably lost his life, and I became a quadriplegic.

But this all was not even known to me until October.

So the accident was August 19th, and somebody sat me down at the rehab hospital in Atlanta and told me that this occurred.

So that was that was pretty tough, you know, not knowing and then hearing that, like that was not a good day.

SPEAKER_00: Wow, dude, that's so intense.

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, in some regards, I'm kind of thankful that I don't remember because I've talked to a lot of people, and when they're injured, they they were cognizant, they were aware.

So they're they had some sort of accident or injury and they were awake, and they knew they couldn't move something or something wasn't right, you know.

That that to me is terrifying.

So in some regards, I'm glad that my mind or whatever blocked out whatever happened, or you know, yeah.

SPEAKER_00: No, no, I totally get it.

Now, now what kind of car were you driving when the accident was that the Bronca, or did you say you had you got a new car?

SPEAKER_02: So they don't even make them anymore.

So I think they had quite the reputation of like rolling and stuff, those two-door SUVs.

Like they don't even make those anymore, really.

SPEAKER_00: Wow, so now the the guys who were in the backseat of your car, did they have any substantial injuries?

SPEAKER_02: No injuries, but I'm sure mentally, you know, that was not fun because they were aware and they also found us, you know what I'm saying?

Like they one friend found me and the other friend found my other friend.

So I'm sure like I've never really I've never really dabbled or asked them to explain those things or to dive into it.

Because if they wanted to tell me they would, but I'm not, you know, I'm never gonna because I'm sure it's just something they don't really want to remember to talk about that much either.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no man, I totally get it.

I totally get it.

Now, no, no, tell me a little bit because because I I'm I'm curious as far as waking, waking up and in and and I and I'm wondering if your situation is similar to my own when when a lot of people ask me about what happened to me is is you know, what was it like the first time I you know realized I couldn't couldn't see and and and I can't really answer that question because I don't I don't remember exactly you know a a pivotal moment or something.

But what about for you?

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, it was um it's weird mentally because I don't think your mind can process it or you can process it well.

So I think my memories were I was kind of upset because I felt like they weren't letting me out of bed.

Like I was saying, like I want to leave or I want to do this, and they weren't letting me.

It was more like I could, but they weren't letting me.

And then there was times when I just felt really heavy.

I don't know.

It's odd because there was never a time when I was just like, I'm paralyzed and I can't move.

It was always a okay, I'm I'm injured, I'm just gonna give this some time.

Just like a broken foot or a broken arm or whatever you call it.

You know, you just heal and it gets better.

Like it's just hard to realize that maybe you're injured and it's that's that's it.

You're you're that is your your new you.

Like even with your eyes, it's like you you lose your sight, and it's like this is it.

There's no getting it back.

It's this is this is it, and your mind just can't wrap around that or doesn't want to, or there's always that hope.

You know, hope is a great thing, but hope can also not let you process what is oh, oh absolutely.

SPEAKER_00: That's uh I've said hope.

I mean, we we we all need hope for so many things, but but exactly like Ken what you're saying is is hope can also be something that can totally tear you apart, also you know, and and like you said, and and it can stand in the way of of focusing on and getting getting through you know what your your current situation is.

Now, so now you were as you said, you were left completely paralyzed from the neck down?

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, initially it was nothing.

So I was on a ventilator.

I think I I can remember like clicking if I needed something from nurses.

Like that was my only way to communicate at one point because I couldn't even speak because I had that thing in my like throat, you know, and the to help me breathe for I don't remember the duration, but maybe a few weeks at least that I had that in.

And so I don't know.

I don't know if you ever had those feelings when you have a really high fever and you have some kind of crazy dreams and you feel super heavy, like you're sunk into the bed and can't move.

It was kind of like that because they also had me on some pretty high medications, so I hallucinated a good bit, and I don't really know what was what was real and what wasn't.

So of course, you know, I I thought I was moving from different rooms, I thought there was people under my bed.

You know, there's all sorts of things that was going on.

As I look back, I really don't even remember when I came to and was like, okay, I'm I'm awake and I'm processing things.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no, no, no doubt.

Now, so now you said they at some point though they they actually transfer you up to a rehab facility in in in Atlanta, did you say?

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.

So it's kind of crazy, you know.

That was the same year as September 11th of 9-11.

So that's right.

I remember being in the hospital.

I was super cold.

Like there's something after you have this injury that your hypothalamus or something is shot, and I was always cold.

I always had a sheet like over my head or whatever, trying to stay warm.

And I can remember watching it on the TV with like the sheet over my head or just below my eyes, watching it.

And I was scheduled to be discharged, like right around that time.

So on September 13th, one of my friends' grandmothers was kind enough to to donate the money to uh a plane to fly me from Daytona to Atlanta, and that was on September 13th.

And I think I was like one of a handful of planes that were even allowed to be in the air around then.

So it was, you know, I we wanted a good rehab center, and my dad had been flown to different centers to find out what was you know gonna be good for me.

And he felt like this place was the place to be.

It was you know more upbeat.

There's a younger crowd, it was just seemed right.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

No doubt.

Now, I'm I'm curious to know.

I mean, dude, like I can't I I'm trying to like put myself in in that situation in that and I'm just wondering, like, your your entire just mental mindset, and even you know, if if we even need to go a little bit, you know, further out, you know, after that, like I mean, I'm sure you had to go through like I did, like anybody, you know, there's there's the the denial, there's the hope that you're gonna get better.

SPEAKER_02: There's you know, I mean think of my family, my brother, sister, people like that dealt with it a little bit even harder than I did, if you will.

Like they didn't want to hear that I was gonna be in a wheelchair, that I wasn't gonna do this or that.

And like when we flew to Atlanta, I'm not I'm not I'm not like sitting as a passenger on an airplane.

I'm uh it's like a a few one of those smaller private planes that I'm laying down.

Like having me laid down with a um I still had a keep my neck stabilized.

Uh I can't think of the word what it is.

Yeah.

But I mean I'm I'm I'm incapacitated at that moment.

But yeah, there's that's I think hope was still there.

Like I still hadn't processed the fact that it could take 20 plus years or whatever to get there.

You know what I'm saying?

Like at that moment, I'm just like, okay, I'm gonna go up here, I'm gonna do some rehab, I'm gonna get better.

You know, I'm that in that early days, it's still this isn't permanent.

SPEAKER_00: Exactly.

Exactly.

Wow.

So now now, now walk me through like at what point I guess I'm kind of curious because at some point then you know, life starts going on.

And so, like, how long were you up there at that rehab facility?

SPEAKER_02: From August till I think at least January of the next year.

I think I think I came back down around December, and they had kind of like a surprise thing for me at the church annex where I went to, and so there's a lot of friends from high school and stuff like that, and that was that was kind of tough, you know.

Yeah, like people seeing me the way I was or whatever, then you know, it was either you're kind of ashamed or you're kind of whatever embarrassed.

I don't know.

There was a time when I would get out of the van, you know, we had a handicap accessible van, and I didn't like unloading or opening or getting out in front of people or you know what I mean?

It was it was weird for a time, it was almost embarrassing.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and and no, I I totally, I totally get that.

And and I'll tell you for myself, it took me a long, long, long time.

And and I won't even tell you that I don't still have moments like it today, you know, 17 plus years later, of even I remember, you know, being around like because you know sometimes though you you you want to feel normal, and so you think the normal is to be around those old friends and stuff.

Well, those old friends are are living the life that you were supposed to have lived.

And so it could be I I just know for myself, I can remember going out with with my couple, you know, my best friend and and stuff, and who was there for me after you know my accident.

And and I can remember most times, even though I would have such a good time, I would come home and I would always then be in bed and cry.

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, it's it's just odd because sometimes you're having to deal okay, you you already are unsure about yourself, your confidence is down, you don't really know how to operate, but you have to almost put on a front or be extra okay with yourself because a lot of times our friends don't really know how to deal with us in the situation or the position we're in.

So we have to like reassure them and comfort them and be extra talkative, or you know what I mean?

Yeah, not only are you you suffering or dealing with stuff, but you gotta help console them so you're can, I don't know, uh continue and interact or whatever.

SPEAKER_00: Exactly.

No, and and and I mean, and I yeah, I totally get that.

That's where you know, like me, I always say is is it's not just living this life, but but like you said, is because you notice you you know the people are uncomfortable, that the everybody they're so afraid they're gonna say the wrong thing, they're gonna do the wrong thing.

And so, yeah, and you know, and and so you know, instead of being, you know, a jerk, you know.

you you try to be a nice guy and and make light of it and and make them feel comfortable you know yeah so now I'm I'm curious as far as because I know for myself my faith and my family and those couple of couple of friends who who were there with me from the beginning were were pivotal in me and after what happened to me going blind.

What about for you?

Did you have that family support?

SPEAKER_02: You know yeah I'm I was I was born and raised in the church so you know I've always it's hard for me sometimes to say everything happens for a reason and whatever because a lot of bad things happen to like this is bad but there's some people out there that uh I mean I don't know say rape or murder or well you name the the bad things and I'm sure it in those moments those people are like why me also so we all have the the why me's or what's the purpose but you know I guess you

just kind of got to sit back and be like I I don't know why but it is what it is you know it it and you just go but with I mean without my friends and family I I couldn't do anything like literally if Thanos snapped his fingers right now and my family and friends were gone I'd be in a nursing home because I can't take care of myself by myself.

I can't get out of bed on my own.

I can't dress on my own I can't shower do the stuff we gotta do on my own.

You know it's just without people I couldn't function.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah no I I totally totally understand now and and I tell you what when I say understand I understand by the fact that family means so much and you know in in in having those those people who are there with you day in and day out you know and they become you know they're your lifeline and uh so I totally get that.

SPEAKER_02: It's definitely a sifter also I'm sure you know that the situation sifts you know like every you put all your friends and family on top of the sifter and you shake it a couple times with this and the ones that fall through are are way less than what you think.

SPEAKER_00: You may have hundreds of friends prior and then all of a sudden it gets down to like okay yeah you've got three exactly exactly and so I am curious what did you did you have were there any friends that you had in in school and you graduated who who were there for you?

Yeah yeah yeah definitely they were there and there are some that you thought were there and you kept fighting to have them there and they weren't and then there's this day when you just like okay I can't keep trying to catch these people or not catch but just you know interact with them if they're not going to put in the work and at some point you just kind of wipe your hands clean and you just go forward and it's like if you're coming you're coming if you're not you're not exactly now I totally

get it now so I'm curious man so at what point I mean gosh it's been so that that happened your accident was in 2001.

SPEAKER_02: Yeah it'll be 20 years this year.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah wow and so at what point I guess that I'm I'm wondering because because I mean goodness knows I mean now you you're you're a husband you're a father I'm curious how long did it take or what what happened I guess in your life that things kind of I don't know turned around I don't even know what the how what you know just kind of a changed direction.

SPEAKER_02: No I think there was a maybe back in 2004 I think I can remember I was in my power chair at that point because I couldn't I couldn't be in a manual chair I didn't have the strength or the balance or whatever the and so I'm in this power chair and I'm like leaning back watching TV and I'm just sitting there and I'm like things aren't getting better.

You know like this isn't this isn't working the whole the whole broken bone scenario of me healing is is not applicable to this to this situation.

I gotta do something else and that's when I started searching on the internet for exercise based therapy like something more aggressive like come on let's let's not take me to PT for an hour and then let me go home you know like let's do something because after two years insurance companies that's that's about it.

So they don't they don't cover anything after that they because they measure it by progression or improvements and sometimes these progressions are take months to years it's not weeks or days and that's what they're looking for.

And when they don't do that they can't justify it.

So I found this place in California and there was no way I could afford it.

I mean the the therapy is like a hundred dollars an hour and you've got to make a trip across the country and all this other stuff so there's this guy at my church at that time he he was ahead of a children home like uh you know helping uh underprivileged kids or giving them homes and helping and I'm at I asked him like can you help me like can you help me do a fundraiser or something like that like and I remember being pretty emotional.

I think I was in tears asking him because it's difficult asking for stuff all the time like he gets old always having to ask for help or whatever.

But he was kind enough to do it and we had a walk-a-thon at the mall of Lucia Mall and for about five or six years he did that and that's what got me to California and really turn things around so that's when they had me do exercises that I couldn't do.

So they were putting me on like a total gym or like a stationary bike and there were some points when I was almost angry because I'm like I can't do it.

I really don't understand why you guys were making me do this.

I can't do it like this is you're insulting me but their mindset was more like let's get you on this machine let's do this and we're gonna build a connection like if you keep doing things over and over all of a sudden things started rewiring connecting and like that's my my injury just in recovery took off from there like the next year or the year after that I think I transitioned to a manual chair with these power assist wheels to help me do it because I was still not strong enough to do just a regular manual chair.

And it was just I started standing you know I just started this just kind of like a little train that started getting better and better.

Wow so what what do you know what was the name of the facility out in California that you went to Project Walk the the sad thing is a couple years ago it it folded they got some poor management that came in and was looking for money instead of the what it was in helping people and they actually went under but I'd also met a girl some years later and she went out there with me a couple summers and then her grandmother and mother was like we need something like this in Florida and so they

started Step It Up Recovery was the initial facility they had and then it transitioned to Project Walk Orlando and now it's next step Orlando and that's in Altamont and that's where I go weekly now.

And then I also do some stuff at home where we have a a friend that comes over twice a week to help me work out there and then we've built our own little gym at my parents' house through the fundraisers and stuff over the years.

So that's where I'm at now I I pretty much I either ride my hand cycle or I work out upstairs with my friend or I go to Next Step Orlando and that's that's it like five six days a week it's that's what I gotta do.

Yeah I I can't sit around my body just does not do well sitting still to either move or medicate is what I tell people and if you don't know what that means it's like I either have to do something or you put me on meds and I just deteriorate so it's like those are the only two options.

SPEAKER_00: Absolutely so now man so talk about though the power of of physical therapy type exercises and the fact that I mean you you you regained some ability to you know whatever level I mean to to go from from basic you know completely paralyzed neck down to to the fact of you know what you're you're telling me of of you know how regaining some you know you know movement in your arms and in legs and stuff I mean that's pretty in amazing.

Yeah years.

SPEAKER_02: I mean it wasn't it wasn't a quick matter it's like you know you just gotta have that that's where the faith and hope come back into play and help.

You know what I mean there's like a point where it doesn't but then there's also a point where like okay I may not be I may not heal myself completely but I can get better at least because when you have a spinal cord injury you either sever it or you damage it.

Right?

And so I've come across a lot of people that have severed it and those are heartbreaking situations because if the ground bridge was broke you can't get across it.

You know I mean there's no signals but if there's if it's damaged or it's really hurt then they can squeeze by or do whatever they can there's some signals can get by it so with me I'm asymmetric.

So my my right side I can move my hand leg foot on the right side my left side I still can't move my hand or wrist or like a lot of parts on my left side of my body so my spinal cord was damaged and asymmetrically which is kind of a bummer because if I had two right sides it I I'd be way far in advance.

So but even my left arm I mean I couldn't move it for two years.

Like it used to be on my armrest in my power chair and if it like happened to fall off I couldn't even pick it up and put it back on the armrest.

Of course I mean it's just it was paralyzed paralyzed for two plus years and my right arm I couldn't brush my own teeth I couldn't feed myself I mean that's tough when you got to ask for help all the time and it's it's tough on the family because they got to do stuff I mean all the time.

All of a sudden their schedule is not theirs anymore.

And so there's some heated moments there's a lot of growth between me and my family too over the years with that you know absolutely no no I that makes total sense.

SPEAKER_00: Wow so so one thing I I wanted to ask you and and I'm not sure if you've ever done this and and I was thinking about you know like in the in the power chair or even I guess in in your the type of chair you're in now have you ever done any of the the different sports like I know like um you have yeah um well the hand cycle is one thing I surfed a couple times and that's pretty crazy people were like you surf?

SPEAKER_02: Can you swim now?

I mean there's times you fall off the board and then I just wait.

So I'm in the water like face down or under and I'm just waiting for somebody to come get me because oh no yeah that's how it is man.

It's but they're so close and there's so many people there that you're fine but yeah it's it's crazy.

Wow wow no man I um also I played rugby I think that was pretty integral part of my recovery and just being back within a sport you know because I was always I played baseball since I was nine and football in high school so I've always been like a a team oriented sport kind of guy.

So getting back into wheelchair rugby was great.

And I was in Jacksonville and I played that for gosh I don't know how many years.

But that was difficult too because I uh for lack of better terms I sucked.

I was uh I was not good because I was so weak on my left side that the other guys that were uh more symmetrically injured they either improved or they could push the chair way better than I could so there was just awful to never be able to get better like in in sports you know when you're when you're good when you have an able body you either good or you're bad well I was bad because I couldn't get any stronger to be better you know so that was always hard for me to not be able to get better

faster score whatever you know it was I had my own role it was I was pretty much a blocker I just got in people's way or something like that you know the no matter what your injury level is you have a role on the team and my role was that I know I was never the scoring guy I was never the passing guy I was always just trying to get in their way or block guy.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah and and as as easy as it is for me to sit there and go oh my gosh that's so awesome it's also though I can understand is this this mental struggle going from from this guy you know what I mean who who was scoring to doing that to having to kind of do this other type of position people kind of overlook you you know what I mean like you're you're the 0.5 you're on a you're on a scale so I think the highest rated is a 3.5 and that'd be like full hand function triceps balance stuff like that and then you got a 0.5

which is me which is like lower level like ability wise and so you're kind of just overlooked in a way but I can remember the US Olympic coach came and did a clinic with us and he gave me the whole the whole Rudy speech he's like if I could put your heart in my other players you know it'd be you know it's like that's great and all but you know like I don't I want to be both you know I just want to be that guy where it's like you try hard and you're great but you know I wanted to be better.

Yeah no no definitely and and but I was gonna I was gonna tell you when you're talking about that is I actually went it's been gosh been several years back now I had actually gone up me and my mom and I can't remember my sister went to but we had gone up to Jacksonville to one of those tournaments.

Yeah and and just so awesome so I mean it's just you know man what what it makes me think and and when I when I hear your story even as we're talking today man is just this this desire that even though life isn't like it used to be and it's not like we dreamed it would be yeah it's not giving up on it.

SPEAKER_02: Yeah you know and it's tough because sometimes you just think about what you can't do versus what you can do but you gotta let go you know like I love to go hiking I love to go upstairs I would like to to travel more I'd like to not have limitations but you know it it is what it is and just sidetracked here but like I can remember turning 30 and that was that was difficult for me because I feel like 30 you're starting to get older at that point.

And so I I decided to go skydiving I'm like I'm doing something you know something to push the limit and I remember doing that and that was that was quite the experience doing that and I'm I'm I'm glad I did it one of the things I needed something to feel more live or I don't know how you want to word it but it was like I got to do something.

SPEAKER_00: How did that work?

How did how does it work when you went skydiving?

SPEAKER_02: Yeah they um they I get strapped I think to the front of somebody so they literally there's somebody in front or behind me and I'm strapped to them so that moment when we were about to get you know fall from the plane it was pretty crazy because he's like scooting out to the edge and we're sitting on the edge and I'm I'm outside of the plane he's like inside still you're just like sitting there just waiting to to fall and it was like I'm so yeah had had the guy who you jumped with had he ever jumped with somebody yeah he

yeah I think he had done it before so it was very he's very confident in himself or just situation so it was fine.

There's never really like a a fear in it but you know at 30 there I think everybody in life they have this idea that you're supposed to have a job you're supposed to be married you're supposed to start a family like it's just embedded in us that we're supposed to do certain things by a certain age even though we're not supposed to there's really no book out there that says you have to but we just pressure and feel that way especially when we're with social media these days Instagram Facebook where you're seeing friends do this or that I

think sometimes we're always comparing ourselves to everyone else's best because I think everybody puts their best on those on those platforms you know so you're measuring yourself against what they want to show and sometimes you feel like you're behind or whatever.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah no and and and and I completely agree and I completely agree exactly what you were saying as far as for some reason we we we've allowed society the world whatever it is to to put like you said this timeline on our lives of when stuff is supposed to happen and when and so when it doesn't happen like that it can really it can really mess with you.

And you know and and and exactly what you said is that the downfall of social media is is comparing your life your normal life to the highlights that everybody posts onto social media.

SPEAKER_02: I mean even you I mean us me I'm I'm guilty of it too like I I post when I'm at a baseball game or I'm on some trip or you know what I mean you don't you don't really post the I'm depressed I'm sad this is a tough day or whatever I mean you can but you don't want to do that you because you you always want to be like no I'm good I'm good I'm good I'm good exactly and and I don't know I guess maybe maybe that that maybe that comes back to this this thing inside of us like we talked

about earlier about this desire to make people you know want people to feel comfortable around us.

SPEAKER_00: You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02: So now I want to hear the bad stuff because I can remember that early on when I was you know I was always focused on yeah I'm getting better you know I'm getting better I'm always like trying to reassure them that I'm getting better whatever people just get they get uncomfortable when you talk about the bad yeah especially when it's probably more bad than what they're dealing with because there'd be some times when people complain to me or something like that like what am I doing?

Why am I telling you what you you know it's like it's fine you can complain if it's okay or not comparing my bad to your bad for good exactly exactly now I get it.

So now tell me real quick about how is life today being a dab it's it's good it's it's it's sometimes frustrating because I I loved kids I always have and I I want to play with them I want to pick them up I want to throw them in the pool I want to you know swing them around or you know just whatever the physical things that I'm unable to do but it's kind of crazy because she's a brand of human so there's no she doesn't know another daddy.

She doesn't know a dad that can put her on her shoulder him on her shoulders or whatever you know it's like if she is kind like I if I try to scare her or chase her or whatever she she runs even though I'm not really gonna get her you know she can get along with it.

It's it in that aspect it's great but it's also a little frustrating like the other day she told me no and I wanted to tell her that's not okay.

And sometimes I understand you don't ever want to be physical with a kid but sometimes you've got to like grab their hand and pull them to time out or you've got to correct them somehow physically like verbally it's difficult.

Like they're not always going to listen.

And so that's kind of a tough one for me whenever I can't correct her or do the things that I I know that I would otherwise and sometimes she can fight back and there's nothing I can do.

I mean I can remember a lady in a wheelchair that had a kid and she said uh he wasn't behaving right and he he jumped up on the top bunk of his bed and you know she said get down he's like come make me and you know what I mean like kids can be cool at some point because she he knew that she couldn't get out and that that was it like those kind of situations are just not fun to be in.

SPEAKER_00: No no I get it I I totally get it now but on the other token I will tell you I will tell you that you you inspire me you give me kind of a a different outlook because I'm I'm not married I don't have kids but I've I've struggled with this idea of would I ever want children because because I've struggled with a a a a thing of looking at my life growing up with with my dad and and we rode dirt bikes together and you know he drove me to school and all this stuff and I've thought to myself you know what kind of dad would I be like

I would be I would be my kids would be the the kids who oh yeah well you know my dad you know he's blind so we don't do any of that stuff.

SPEAKER_02: Right right but but then though when I yeah they're pretty understanding man they're yeah they're pretty great it's it's nice it's like it's refreshing in a way it's like you've got this person that doesn't judge you and it's not uncomfortable around you like all the things that we've had to deal with with others that if they're not programmed yet like they're are their own little blank slate.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah that's I mean they're pretty great I mean she's she's awesome it's always fun every morning she wakes up pretty happy and most of the time she is and she I just love the craziness that she is running around making weird noises you know spinning across the floor sideways you know just weird off the wall just unscripted it's just nice to see somebody alive because I think as we get older we get so worried about what others think about us or what's weird or what's not and at that point they're just happy they're just

happy to be alive and whatever it is is is absolutely absolutely well man I want to truly thank you for for not only just coming on my podcast and doing all this but for me finally getting an opportunity to to sit down with you like I said I mean you you're a name that that I've known forever in our community and so it's it's really awesome to finally get a chance to meet you.

SPEAKER_02: No same with you man I mean your story also like we can compare stories and say I think me and you've talked about the other day where it's like we we kind of measure two and it's like I put myself in your shoes I'm like could I deal with losing my sight and I'm I'm sure you say could I deal with losing the ability to walk I mean I we do it all the time it's like a paraplegic they can use their pretty much from their waist up they're good they can use their arms their hands everything good

they can transfer they're pretty independent pairs but a lot of them have no leg function.

So and then the quadriplegic may have a little leg function but also some you know what I mean so you're always like could I do this or what would this be or could you know We all have our things that we deal with, and I think you're a testament, you you're marching forward too.

Like you just keep on going and doing new endeavors.

Now you have this podcast.

I think there's nothing you can't do, and I I feel like you're opening doors or knocking on doors that are gonna keep opening for you.

And you're a good dude, man.

Like, I just think just being kind and nice and caring is a is a big thing for success in life.

Like, it shouldn't be a motivation to be successful doing that, but just being a good person in general.

I wrote a paper on the golden rule.

I think it's you know, to treat others the way you want to be treated.

It's it's a big one.

SPEAKER_00: It is, man, because you know, dude, there's just there's a lot of people in this world who aren't like that.

And you know, and I don't know, man.

It's just you do what you can do in this life, and you know, and I I thank you very much for for everything that you've just said.

That that means so much, and especially, you know, coming from from you.

And I don't know, man.

Life life isn't always easy, it's it's screwed up, it's crazy.

SPEAKER_02: But sugarcoat and say every day is good for me.

Like it's tough.

SPEAKER_00: Yeah.

SPEAKER_02: Like when my I have bladder issues sometimes, or bowel issues, or you know what I mean?

There's there's still tough stuff going on.

And I think a lot of times I do these fundraisers and I put stuff out there in the you see my therapy, and people think I'm doing good, but there's still a lot of things I can't do, and there's tough days still, you know.

It's just like we said, put our best foot forward, but I'm sure there's tough days for you too, and and good days, so absolutely, man.

SPEAKER_00: Well, I want to thank you again so much for uh for coming on the podcast, and I just really appreciate it so much.

Yeah, no worries, man.

SPEAKER_02: Anytime you think of more questions or want to talk again, fire it back up, no problem at all.

SPEAKER_00: Awesome, awesome.

Well, well, for all of you listening, I hope you've come away with something that can help you in your own life.

Maybe it's not something as, you know, quote unquote dramatic as what Robert has faced in life or what I've faced in life, but whatever you're dealing with, it's it's a big deal to you, and that's what matters.

And I just hope that this podcast, whether it's this episode or any other episode, it can just give you a little bit of hope, a little bit of inspiration, motivation to not give up on life.

SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I saw a quote the other day that said, Don't worry about taking all the steps at once, just take that first step, you know.

And I know that's hard to do because we're so impatient, and that first step, you don't feel like you're much closer, but you've got to one thing or whatever.

SPEAKER_00: Well, as you can see, Robert he doesn't wear a cape, he's not the superhero that is depicted in the comic books, but he's a superhero in my eyes.

And you know, when I hear his story, when I got finished with today's, you know, conversation with Robert, I couldn't help but just feel inspired and motivated to do more with my life.

And at the same time, I also can't be more thankful to God for having me right here, right where I'm at, right now in this phase of my life where I'm getting to sit down and talk to people with incredible stories that not only help to benefit my own life, but are hopefully helping people who are listening to this podcast literally all over this world.

I hope that it helped you.

And I also just want to give a final thank you to Next Step Orlando for sponsoring today's episode.

The support of the podcast from Next Step Orlando, from the guests that I have on, and to all of you listening truly motivates me to just keep on moving forward.

If you have a business or organization that you would like to play a role in this podcast and being a sponsor, please be sure to check out the show notes where you can find contact information to reach out to me.

I'm always looking to align myself with other businesses and organizations who are making a change in the community, in the world, or maybe even just to one person.

And that's the lowdown with Kevin Lowe.

I hope today's episode inspired you, motivated you, and excited you to get out and enjoy life, no matter what obstacles may be standing in the way.