Friday, May. 09, 2008
Unbreakable Spirit
By BRIAN HERNALSTEEN
News-Mirror Writer
All of a sudden, Jonathan remembers the driver lost control of the vehicle and rolled "four or five times, I can’t remember the exact number."
While the car was rolling, Jonathan broke his neck in four places, with one of the vertebrae in his neck severing his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed in all four limbs.
Fast forward to the weekend of May 4 this year.
Jonathan, 31, in his specially designed wheelchair, participated in a triathlon in Benbrook.
And while that is impressive and admirable to everyone that has not heard Jonathan’s story, it’s nothing new to the former soldier. As a matter of fact, his triathlon during the weekend wasn’t his first rodeo.
It was actually his third.
"I remember watching the 'Iron Man’ competition on NBC one day, and seeing a Navy SEAL push his wheelchair and hand cycle along, and I remember thinking, 'Gee, I could do that,’" said Jonathan. "I got into it from there. But it did take me several years to get to the point where I could do a triathlon. First, I had to learn how to swim again."
Jonathan recounts an experience when a good friend tossed him into the pool, with Jonathan figuring that he "had better sink or swim, so I thought I should swim."
From there, Veterans Affairs (VA) assisted Jonathan in his goal, helping him with his swimming and hand cycling. After that, he got into the racing chair.
"I thought, shoot, might as well combine all three and make it a triathlon," he said.
So Jonathan started a strict training regimen that included swimming, riding and lifting weights.
His morale improved, and he continued his training for more events, gaining some attention along the way. He posted his "Unbreakable: A Challenged Athlete’s Journey" video on YouTube, which has garnered more than 5,000 hits.
"My life really started getting good in 2005, when I married my wife, Carrie. Mentally, I started getting a lot stronger. And physically, I could see myself going farther and doing more. It was like being born all over again," Jonathan said. "So now that I’m retired, and it feels weird to say that, I try to inspire others. I go to events and to veterans’ hospitals and encourage others."
Carrie has been by his side for the events and visits, and has seen the reactions first hand.
"Every time we go somewhere, people are coming up to him and asking questions. When he goes to these hospitals, Jonathan talks to them and gives them hope. He tells them to focus on the things you can do, not what you can’t do," Carrie said. "It’s good for him to be an example to others. The response from people is great."
Recently, he spoke at the MISD All-Stars banquet. The MISD All-Stars is made up of athletes in the school district who are also participants in the Special Olympics. The kids reacted to his story, and in a big way.
"I wanted to give them the message that they can do whatever they want, and that no one can stop you from that. They loved it," Jonathan said. "They were all smiles. I’m looking forward to talking to them again at future events."
But until those speaking engagements, Jonathan will continue his training around Mansfield, whether it be using his chair or getting into the backyard pool for some laps.
"Jonathan was only 22 when he got hurt, and I can’t even imagine myself being 22 with everything changing overnight. I always tell him that I don’t know how he gets up and does it every day," Carrie said. "I don’t have that same sort of motivation that he has, the bump that makes him get up and go every day. He is very self-motivated and this is his outlet.
"Staying in shape and helping other people is his way of helping and motivating them, so I just try to keep up with his energy," she said.
Jonathan will be in action next when he participates in a 10-kilometer race in Arlington on Memorial Day. The event’s proceeds will benefit local soldiers’ widows as well as funding for wounded soldiers.
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