Amazing story

I have to admit it: I'm one of those people whose heart goes pitter-pat when I see babies, kittens and puppies. Certain commercials make me tear up. I could be considered a softie.

One of my favorite things about covering mobility is seeing all these amazing stories about how getting mobility equipment has helped someone achieve their dream or do something incredible. (You know this if you follow me on Twitter, since I can't resist tweeting these stories when I find them.)

Liz forwarded me one of these stories the other day. Football player Eric LeGrand recently made it to the NFL—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—even though he was partially paralyzed in a football game in 2010 and now uses a wheelchair.

Of course, the deal is symbolic, but it highlights his story and brings him and his journey into the national spotlight.

Eric was paralyzed from the neck down after a tackle-gone-wrong and told he'd be a quadriplegic and on a respirator for the rest of his life. However, he began breathing on his own after five weeks and says he still plans to walk again.

The CNN article says, "He told Sports Illustrated in November that he wanted to return to the spot on the field where he was injured, lie down, and get up and walk away." Doesn't that give you goose bumps?

Buccaneers Coach Greg Schiano told CNN: "This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men."

Eric is finishing up school at Rutgers and hopes to be a sports broadcaster.

Read the story here: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/02/buccaneers-sign-paralyzed-rutgers-p...