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"Finding a Path Through Paralysis"

I watched a TED Talk called “In Disaster There is Opportunity - Finding a Path Through Paralysis” by Martyn Ashton. Martyn was a professional mountain bike rider for 25 years. During one of his stunts, he sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI). 

Fast forward one hour after his accident, Martyn was in the MRI machine and finally able to think about what had just occurred. Many questions ran through his head like “how will I work?” and “how will I be a good dad and husband?” During this struggle and uncertainty, he began to become excited about his future and the positive that he could control the outcome of his mindset. His competitive spirit wondered how he could become the best paraplegic. In the past, this very same energy is what helped him get things accomplished.

After the initial stages of his recovery, Martyn tried several sports like basketball, tennis, and kayaking, but had little success. He had not forgot about his passion of riding and was determined to give it a try again. After not enjoying or succeeding in other sports, he decided to figure out a way to get back on his bike. Gravity and starting at the top of a mountain would allow him to do this. One and a half years after Martyn’s accident, he got back on a mountain bike and was ready to ride down the mountain. He had a bucket seat placed on his bike to allow him to be more stable. He was so excited to be back doing what he loved and be with his friends doing it.


As a future occupational therapist, it is crucial to find what is meaningful and motivating to each client. If I were Martyn’s OT, it would be important to know he enjoyed being active. This would allow me to encourage him to try new things he would be capable of doing after his accident. Additionally, Martyn would like to be challenged and something he could competitive. This would motivate him and help him get back to doing something he loved. I found this to be an encouraging story. Martyn found a way to continue to do what he loved, even though it was modified. I chose to watch this TED Talk because it is about someone who overcame their barriers and got back to doing what he loved. Additionally, it is necessary to look at the strengths and abilities of a person before the accident, and to know their motivation after the accident. It is not everyday that you will work with a client who is a World Champion, but it essential to meet them where they are and support them in their journey. I would suggest this story to someone who has sustained a SCI because there is hope. If they are unable to find a way to find a way to return to the same thing they enjoyed before, they can find something they enjoy with the abilities they have.


Talks, T. (2017, December 19). In Disaster There is Opportunity - Finding a Path Through Paralysis | Martyn Ashton | 
        TEDxBristol. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYebJBcLZHA
Image retrieved from Google Images

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Logan and I on our first day of OT school.

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