Stories
by Justin Ray Duke
by Aunt Helenmarie
by Patricia Duke
On January 19, 2006, I woke up to what I thought would be just another average day; little did I know it would become the beginning of a journey that would forever transform my life. I loaded a bus with my teammates and traveled to Silsbee, Texas, for a school basketball game. Midway though the third quarter an accident occurred resulting in an injury that would forever alter my life.
My name is Justin Ray Duke, and this is a shortened version of my inspirational story. It all began when a pass went wild and I dove headlong into a wall to recover the ball. In the beginning we were unaware of the severity of my injury. I was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where X-rays confirmed that it was a broken neck. I was then transported by Life Flight to TCH.
I faced dependency with every situation. Someone had to feed me, I faced incontinence, even the smallest tasks had to be done for me.
I was a strong individual prior to my injury, faced now with the humbling experience of total dependency. My mind was normal and fully functioning but my body seemed no longer mine.
I woke every day speaking life into my body. Intensive physical therapy was crucial to my recovery. I fought against frail limbs that wouldn’t work. The inability to even move my own feet or turn my head to look at the beaming sun outside an open window taught me to never take anything for granted. I desired to stand to my feet, and be able to take victory over this thing that I felt was trying to trap me.
Thinking back now it was almost as if my body was my own enemy. It was a battle of will power and determination. I was fortunate enough to have wonderful doctors and a physical therapy staff. These were some of the best physicians in their field, but all their wealth of knowledge and skill could only take me so far. The rest I had to do on my own with faith and perseverance.
In a time of trial such as the one I went through, you have to decide with absolute surety, what will hold strong; your faith or your fear? Life is a matter of being relentless, if you have a dream, “Don’t wish or wait for it, Fight for it!”
I feel I have grown spiritually and mentally: thus, I am an overall better, stronger person.
I received a scholarship to a TCU summer camp for student athletic trainers in the summer of 2009, furthering my desire to pursue an education in Kinesiology.
I have only a few short months to finish my high school career. Overcoming quadriplegia to rejoin my varsity football team to play the game that inspired me was truly amazing. With the prestigious education I will receive at Texas Christian University, I know I would be a benefit to the field of medical science. Thank you for the opportunity to be accepted as a High School Rudy Award candidate. I truly feel honored and privileged.
Respectfully Submitted,
Justin Ray Duke
Shepherd High School
C/O 2010