Imagine being only 19 years old and having a tragic accident change the rest of your life. Bryon Riesch experienced one and thankfully survived because his story is an inspirational one.
Just a freshman at Marquette University, Bryon was in what seemed to be a fun idea at the time, a slip-n-slide, but an accident resulted from it that made him a C5 quadriplegic. Spending three months in the hospital, including 27 days in ICU on a ventilator, he called this an “interesting” experience. He didn’t let this stop him from moving forward and pursuing life. Bryon wanted to go back to school and he eventually did, double-majoring at Marquette and graduating in five years. He said the university “helped him learn again.”
Bryon has had many jobs working for Northwestern Mutual and R & R Insurance, but one that helped him with those jobs was a starting point working at Ability Connections for Goodwill. This is a program that helps people with disabilities find IT jobs. He said working here taught him how to market himself, deal with himself, and make others aware.
The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation, or BRPF, was something Bryon started up in 2001.
The mission: “The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation's goal is to find a cure for paralysis through funding the latest in medical research and to provide assistance to those that suffer from neurological disorders.”
Throughout the years, the foundation has held activities such as golf outings and run/walks to help raise money. The first golf outing that was held raised around $100,000 that Bryon was able to use for medical bills from his accident. To date, more than $2 million dollars have been raised to further research. For pictures and more information check out the foundation's Facebook.
Listening to Bryon speak, I learned a lot on how he lives his life and adjustments he has had to make. He said he was very scared at first when he had to deal with other individuals who had disabilities as well. He didn’t know how to act or what to say. He said that “everyone deals with some disorder somehow” and that made me realize a lot. Wherever you go there will be someone who has a disability, whether it’s involved in your everyday career or just walking to class. It is important that everyone knows how to deal with interactions in the right way. Bryon gave advice on what to do when encounters with those who have disabilities occur. Many people may not know how to react or think “Should I open the door or will they be offended and think I assume they can’t?” It’s really simple—we are all individuals with needs, just different needs. Communication is the biggest thing, use common sense and be respectful. He also pointed out that people are hired to do a job because they can do the job. Don’t second guess someone’s work because they have a disability.
The most surprising aspect of Bryon’s lifestyle that I found was how expensive it can be. To get things altered to the needs of someone who has a disability is very costly. For example, a vehicle designed for an individual with paralysis. Bryon’s wheelchair alone was around $30,000!
What was most intriguing to me about Bryon was his love for life. He’s been through it all and he still has the best sense of humor and such an optimistic outlook on everything. He has taken his disability and made the most out of it by raising money to help find a cure and make others aware through his motivational speaking. He’s a normal guy who loves sports, fishing, golfing, socializing and TV shows. Towards the end of his speech he told us something his dad said to him and that was, “whenever you get the chance, reach out your hand and shake that hand, and you’ll be amazed at what you get back.” That hand shake could lead to new friends, job opportunities, or even help. Ironically, the day after I listened to Bryon speak, I opened this…
