Our Story

Our journey didn't begin overnight. It began long, long ago. It started when we were children. It didn't start with us. It started with our parents, our grandparents, our friends. It started with one simple lesson. Gratitude. We were taught to be grateful for the things we had, the places we went, and the people we met. We learned to be grateful for the lifelong friendships we created. These were the people who would stick by us even in the darkest times.

We took the things we learned and started to explore the rock we call "Earth." We went high into the mountains. So high you were in the clouds. We went far into the ocean. So far that you couldn't see land. We explored concrete jungles with buildings so big they blocked out the sun. We met people. Lots of people. People from all different parts of the rock we were exploring. Most of the time, these people were not that different from us. They also were grateful for the same things we were. Health, happiness, family, and friends. Some of those people we will never see again. Some of those people we now consider family.

We were grateful for the lessons we were taught. The people we became. These lessons and bonds we created would help us when we needed guidance most.

Along the way something went wrong. Something that you would not wish on another. Often there are five fateful words: "You may never walk again." What follows is anger, fear, sorrow, darkness. It is unexpected, difficult, and life-altering. Life, as you knew it, is over.

But they forgot to tell us this. You are Not Dead Yet.

Yes, things are very different. Yes, there is a lot of work to do. Yes, it is going to be hard as hell. You will want to quit. You will want to give up. It is OK to feel like this.

Days turn into weeks, weeks to months. Things start changing. New questions and desires start to arise. You started to get restless. You know that you can do more.

You will rediscover your will to go on - your burn to keep exploring - your motivation to prove the naysayers wrong. These thoughts start to grow. It doesn't happen overnight; it takes time. It takes hard work. It takes dedication. It takes patience and remembering those lessons we learned long ago.

You can re-find gratitude.

We are grateful we get to be here another day. We are grateful for our support system and community. We are grateful to the first responders and doctors that put us back together. Most importantly, we are grateful for our friends, family, and community. We acknowledge that life is different, and we are grateful for it.

Something brought you here today. Maybe you are an SCI survivor yourself. Perhaps a person you love had their life changed forever. Whatever the reason that has kept you reading this far, you know that it is a difficult journey and that you aren’t alone.

This is why we started INDY.CLUB – to provide support, to create a community, and to reflect gratitude.

While life is different, you still get to live it. You have a whole community of people here to help you. More than you know.You are strong. You are capable. You are Not Dead Yet.

Welcome to the club.

INDY.CLUB

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”