Photo Journey

This photo journey serves as a visual background of knowledge for my story, but I hope for it to also bring my words to life. Here are a series of events, people, and places that hold special meaning along this wild path. Click "show more" below to see the full collection, or click on the first picture to arrow through a rolling gallery.

Mt. Vodno, Macedonia

Exactly one week before the accident, enjoying the views of the homeland with two friends.

Pehčevo, Macedonia

Well, here it is. The place I will unfortunately remember as the high ropes course of terror for the rest of my life.

The Ambulance

Laying in the back of the ambulance, I'm not positive why I took this picture, but I'm glad I did. This was taken right before reaching the first hospital. My legs were frozen in this position at the time.

Štip, Macedonia

Here is the first hospital I was in, where I was holding my scream in because they had just finished explaining how they were going to lift me up onto the next bed for testing.

First Look

On the top is the result of my first x-ray, where it shows the burst fracture of my T12 and the chipped bone. Below is the MRI, where you can see that chipped bone pushing on my spinal chord, where if it would've gone in even a sliver more, I would have been paralyzed from the waist down.

Post-Surgery

Here is the first picture I took post surgery, the first time I sat up in a whole week! This picture got my mom the most likes she's ever gotten on Facebook.

Intro: Walker

The first time I left my bed and my hospital room to learn how to slowly walk with my brace and walker.

Post-Surgery Scar

The first picture taken of my scar, where stitches had just come out and the itchiness had just set in.

Escape Artist

This is the first time my mom let me walk outside with my walker, it took us a long time but I made it about 10 feet down the street.