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Sunday, February 07, 2010
Today I am excited as I think about my upcoming speaking engagements! I am so grateful to those who are going to give me the opportunity to speak some truth and reality into some student’s lives! I hope and pray today that those students whom will hear me speak will be receptive and somehow, in whatever way they need to be motivated to change or stay on the same path that they will seize the opportunity! There are no promises in life! I think all of us see this every single day as news comes to us of great disaster and tragedy! I think right now as I am writing about all the people in Haiti and what they must be going through! How terrible and how devastating! My heart goes out to all those families who have been affected by this tragedy! It is so far from us yet so close! A tragedy like this just happen to us in various different forms when we think about it like 9/11, hurricane Katrina, the shootings at Virginia Tech, the kidnappings, the murders, and the young and beautiful who are taken at an age in which we feel are not supposed to go that early! It is true that tragedy is in our own backyard. It is true that the possibility of tragedy is right in front of us every second of our lives! That is why it is so important to live life wisely one choice at a time! As you know I believe life is all about choices and it is! All of us are a product of the choices we have made and we will be products of the choices that we will make! I sit here today trying to focus on the choices that I will make today and I will ask you to join me in doing the same! Let us rise up today and every day and make the best decisions that we can possibly make so that we can live the longest lives that the good Lord will allow!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
It's time to get back on the horse! You deserve it! I need it and a journal is supposed to be just that, a journal! A consistent flow of thoughts and events that are written down about one's life. Typically these journals are private but after reading some of my journals I really haven't been too introspective. I've decided to continue with the old ways in which I wrote my journals but also in between those journals just write some thoughts, feelings, or events down to keep you up to speed with my life and to keep myself journal. So thank you for convicting me even though you probably didn't know you did convict me. Just to make it clear the word conviction in Webster's dictionary definition number two means: the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth b : the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth. Are you willing to admit that you're being convicted of something right now and are not acting on it! meaning that you know that you are either doing something wrong or you should be doing something period, but you are laying idle to that in your life. If that's the case it will be really hard for you to grow as a person. Just a thought!
So a lot has gone on since my last post! We are now living in Dallas, Texas where I am attending Dallas Theological Seminary. I am doing a lot of focusing on Christian Education and How the Church Can Better Serve Persons with Disabilities! I have no idea where God will LEAD me, but I'm excited! I am also still continuing my speaking which as you can read is a major passion in my life. There is nothing better then being a part of radically changing people's perspectives and ideologies ultimately changing their lives. I want to personally thank each and every student, parent, teacher, pastor, and or anyone else who has contacted me since my last journal entry and encouraged me or let me know how they had been encouraged through the experience's and testimony of my life.
It is SO absolutely amazing and humbling how so many people go out of their way to write an e-mail. Thank you again! I look forward to this upcoming year and all of the speaking engagements that are already set in place. And I look forward for all of the speaking engagements that are still going to take place, but haven't even transpired yet.
This is such an exciting world to live in! Let us cherish each breath, because we never know which breath could be your last!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Motivational speaker, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Speaker, Inspirational Speaker;
These are some of the labels I call myself and have been called by other individuals. It is interesting, because really I just feel like Chris! I mean I know that we have to have these particular titles in order to have an organization to continue to function, and people to be able to track us down in order to make all of these awesome events possible. But still I just feel like Chris. I made a bunch of bad decisions and I ended up paralyzed physically, but just because my physical appearance has changed doesn't mean I don't feel like Chris. I mean I definitely understand now what those little blue handicap guys mean, because they give me up front parking and front row seats at a concert or event that I attend (that is pretty cool)!
I am writing this probably due to the fact that I haven't blogged really since last August, but also because I find myself sometimes feeling desensitized to the actual importance of the witness and/or presentations that my assistant and myself strive so hard to fulfill week in and week out. I mean if you think about it, I have stared at the same pictures and same mistakes while talking to individuals for the past eight years now. That is a long time to talk about, look at, and flat-out represent the ridiculous choices that I made in my life. It gets really tough sometimes. In fact the longer I do it, the more emotional, and tiring it is! I am sure you understand this as we all can look back on our lives and beat ourselves up because of mistakes were choices we made in the past. We know it's not worth it, and we know it's not healthy, but sometimes we just let our minds wonder! We all need some sort of motivations to snap out of it and keep going about our paths!
So for me then there is the e-mails! I am talking about the e-mails in which students and many other individuals take the time to write me their appreciations and thoughts concerning the presentations. Man I cannot tell you how gratifying and motivating they are! If I am ever feeling down I just pop open some of these e-mails and start reading away! I just recently spoke at North Canton Hoover High School in Akron, Ohio and have received many special e-mails! There was one e-mail in particular (which I will not give up confidentiality) that literally reached through the screen and touched my heart!! I mean there are all kinds of crazy things that happen in all of our lives. You know what I am talking about! All of those trials and just crazy things that try to bring us down and make us lose focus on what is the most important thing in life! Well that is definitely going on in my life right now! It is just one of those times in which you feel like the walls are falling down around you. Everywhere you look in every place you turn things are just a little bit more complicated for some reason!
After reading this particular e-mail I immediately snapped out of my little poor little me attitude and have jumped back on the horse again! I definitely want to say thank you to everyone who has ever written me any e-mails, and especially to you know who!! I have always loved people, and I am so grateful and privileged to be able to be in the company of so many individuals’ lives all over the place!! Things do happen in mysterious ways, and they are not always the way we want them to happen, but life really is good as long as we're able to wake up and breathe!
I hope and pray for a prospective change in your life today! I know I need one everyday!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
I've moved and have new telephone number. The website will be updated soon. In the meantime, if you need to contact me other than email, please call:
Home: 828-835-7374
Cell: 757-371-6520
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spirit of others are stiffened! -Billy Graham
I went on my website to check the dates that I was going to be speaking, and ran into this particular quote by Mr. Billy Graham. First of all I thought it was awesome, and was right on, but it reminded me of an e-mail I received recently from a young lady.
She was basically writing me a thank you letter for coming to her school and speaking, but the amazing thing was that she was writing having seen me speak six years ago. Six years ago! The last time she heard me speak she was in middle school, and now she is a sophomore in college. I was absolutely honored, and blown away at the same time. I was so blessed that she had the realization that she had kept words that came out of my mouth six years ago and apply them to her life. Wow!
This young lady was extremely courageous, and totally took a stand that stiffened and challenged the spirit of other young college students around her. In a nutshell she was completely vulnerable and honest with me by telling me that she was driving to a party with five other girls and fully intended on drinking and then driving home. The amazing thing is that six years ago when I handed out a brochure, this middle school girl cut out the picture of me and when she turned 16 taped it to the dashboard of her car vowing never to drink and drive. Well as the story goes, over time that picture was knocked down and the memory was no longer as powerful in her own words. Then what I believe to be divine intervention happened! When the girls arrived to the party they all started getting out of the car and the picture she had taped to the dashboard was somehow still in the car and got knocked out onto the ground. The girl who knocked the picture out of the car picked it up and ask the driver, (whom is the young lady I am speaking about), what is this? To sum it up, this particular young lady started to cry as the story, the reality, the reason why she taped it to her dashboard, and basically remembering the day that she heard my speech hit her like a ton of bricks.
Now remember we all have thousands of choices each day and in each situation! This young lady could have shrugged this off and continued on with her plans. She could have come up with some lie. She could have just said, "it's nothing", but she didn't. She not only stood with courage and conviction, she acted on it! She then began to tell them about the message and about what her plans were when she put the picture in her car. She then went on to explain that she was not going to drive home and encouraged all of them to do the same. She volunteered to be a designated driver and went on to make several trips to make sure her fellow mankind made it to where they need to go safely. She made the right choice, and in doing so she probably saved lives including her own life! She went on to tell me that some of the other girls that night made the same decision as she did to not drink and offer to help drive people home!
This story is simply amazing! I don't know if there is any other way to put it! She completely stood with courage and stiffened the backs of all individuals who were around her! Her spirit in that moment was contagious as other individuals around her were touched and ended up making the same decision she did. The decision she made was not easy by any means! No in fact it was very difficult, but she had acted out on her inner conscience and it was super powerful! I hope that this story would inspire myself, and some of you to be more courageous in the places where we know we need to be!
I do say a great big thank you to the young lady who had courage and acted in this manner!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Friday, July 18, 2008
I am sitting in my new office that was just finished being constructed this week marveling at the power of man's hands and what we are capable of! This project started some six weeks ago and where I am sitting right now was literally nothing! Now it is a beautiful 16x8 office painted a beautiful blueish gray color with a nice sized closet and a built in book shelf! It is AWESOME!
What amazes me most is the ability for us all to turn nothing into SOMETHING! I believe we are all special and specifically unique to do something out of NOTHING! I don't know what it is for your life, but I do believe all of your lives matter! We just have to figure out what makes us happy and healthy (which makes us successful), and then we are well on our way to real success!
Man this is awesome! I hope all of you can look at your own lives and find the power within you to create this magical, yet practical life of poWer and success!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Here's the NEW Charcoal "Circle Graphic" T-Shirt!
Why not order one today? Click HERE!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Here's the NEW Green Get Your Role On T-Shirt!
Why not order one today? Click HERE!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Get your NEW Chris Skinner T-shirts NOW for $13.99 + S&H!
Why not order one today? Click HERE!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, November 26, 2007
2007 National Spinal Cord Injury Association's EMERGING LEADER AWARD
Tuesday, November 6, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, I was honored and privileged to be awarded the NSCIA Emerging Leader Award!!!
It was an amazing experience and I really want to THANK ALL OF YOU for taking time to vote. I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me. I definitely feel loved.
God Bless,
Chris Skinner
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
"The secret is to become wise before you become old"
How cool is this phrase? It is so true! I know that when older people (I know that older people means something different depending on whatever age you are reading this) read this without even knowing it their heads are shaking in agreement up and down and their minds are thinking of things that they could of, should of, and would of done differently if they could turn back time. I always joke and say that I don't care what Cherr says, you can't turn back time. The fact of the matter is we all make mistakes! There is not one of us who gets every single decision and choice correct. And when we make poor decisions and choices for the most part we will reap what we sow. In other words we will get what we ultimately deserve for making whatever decision it is that we are making.
My friends, do you see why it is so extremely important to make each and every one of our decisions count? Do you see why it is imperative to make each and every one of our decisions like it could have a lasting affect on our lives? The reason why it is so critical is because we are talking about our lives! OUR LIVES!! That's so rapidly flash before our eyes! I know that all of us reading this journal right now can think back to a situation in our lives that seems like it was just yesterday. Our lives are so extremely important, yet they are but a midst of air in which we breathe. There are people who came way before us and there are people who are going to go way beyond us (unless Christ comes back first).
What's the point? The point is if we are living life on a minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day basis making each and every one of our decisions like it could be our last then we are being diligent. In other words we are being WISE!!
Are you being wise with your life right now?? You are the only one that can answer that question, and the only one who has the power to start living diligently and wisely right now, right here! Let us all become wise before we get old!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Do you remember when Forrest Gump said, "Life's like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get?"
Well, I am just going to have to disagree with my man Forrest Gump, even though that is one of my favorite movies in the world! I have thought about that statement for several years now, and every time I think about a box of chocolates I just ask myself one question concerning Forrest Gumps statement. Why didn't he just choose to look at the chart that is at the top of the chocolate box that tells you exactly what chocolate is where! Have you ever thought about that? I mean, that is the first thing I do when someone opens up a box of chocolates! I immediately try to locate the chocolate covered cherries, or the chocolates with caramel by using the chart that is right above where the chocolates sit. I mean it's right there! All you have to do is use your mind and choose exactly what chocolate you would like to eat at whatever moment you would like to eat it.
What does this have to do with life? Well, I think it has a lot to do with life, starting with using our minds and making good decisions! I do know that there is an element of life in which we have no control over. That element is the fact that we cannot control the decisions that other people are making and how they choose to live their life. That's fine, but that is no excuse for us to slack off and not pay attention to each and every decision we make in our lives! Decisions are incredibly imperative to our lives! Think about it for a second, how many decisions do you make on a daily basis? I believe that we all make thousands of decisions each day, and will continue to make hundreds of thousands decisions as weeks go by. Do you think that those decisions are important? I do!
These decisions that we make on a daily basis completely determine the outcome of our lives. That is exactly why it is so important to make each and every decision like it could be the last decision we are ever making, because the fact is it could be! Do you think that the individuals that were unfortunately killed during 911, tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, shootings at Virginia Tech, and on, and on, and on thought that they were going to wake up that day and suddenly have their lives snatched from them. No, the fact of the matter is that we are all human beings made of skin, blood, and bones and life is precious and fragile. So why would go out and make poor decisions when we could be potentially putting our lives in jeopardy! Answer. We shouldn't! We need to look at the facts. We need to recognize that if in the particular place where a certain chocolate lies, for instance, reads drinking and driving, we should take it out of the box and throw it away. We need to remove all of the possible temptations and distractions that we can see in front of us that could potentially ruin our lives and cause us strife! We do have that power, and we should pay attention to it more and more each day!
Life is not like a box of chocolates my friends, it is about making each and every decision wisely 24 hours 7 days a week!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
I'm thinking about goal setting in relation to successful people...and there is a very key element that is necessary. The most important thing you can do to achieve your goals is to make sure, that as soon as you set them...you BEGIN to immediately create the momentum to reach them. Most people fail to reach their goals because they have a great idea, maybe even a great plan, but stop there. They never get started because they either talk themselves out of it or they let others negative comments influence them. MOMENTUM - get some...and get started today!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Friday, June 08, 2007
To succeed, it is necessary to accept the world as it is...and then rise above it. Dare to Soar!
Sometimes the mental release of accepting a situation allows you the freedom to use that energy to begin working on a solution. I am paralyzed and there are many things that I'm not able to do with my babies. I constantly look for new solutions to allow me more involvement in their lives. Take a look at these solutions:  
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The babies are here and for the first time in my life I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I was totally speechless. There were no words that adequately expressed the emotion I felt. A picture is worth a thousand words. So here are my babies and I'd like you to share my joy. 
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
"The foolish one seeks happiness in the far distance while the wise one knows happiness is right under his feet."
Remember Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz? She and her companions went searching for values such as happiness, courage, love, and wisdom only to find that they already possessed them. They learned these traits weren't something that could be given to them or purchased. They had to activate them from within and then apply them as they went about daily routines.
As I travel around and speak to people, I feel a little bit like the Big Oz that Dorothy and her friends were searching for, the one with the knowledge. I have been on my "Ultimate Learning Experience" for some time now and I finally know how to find happiness in spite of all the trials and complications that come my way. The secret is simple. Use the power within you! We all have it - desire, determination, willpower, ambition, perseverance, and the list goes on. Use it! Activate it! One way is to look for something positive in every situation and focus on that. Sometimes, it might be very small, but take it and magnify it. Positive people attract positive outcomes. It's all about attitude.
Everyone has the ability to find happiness. How about you? Are you on your journey yet?
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those."
After a five hour trip to Fairfax, VA, I arrived late at the hotel weary from travel. As I entered the room, I immediately saw a basket of wholesome treats waiting for me. Exploring the contents, I was keenly aware of the effort that was made in choosing the right mix of snacks and drinks to help supply protein and energy for the week...to refresh my body and soul...and it worked. I was now charged up and ready to speak. You have captured my heart with your thoughtfulness.
I have passion for the work I do and I can see that these folks in Fairfax, VA do as well. It's going to be a great week!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
"It has been awhile"
It has been awhile since I've posted anything! Maybe it's because I couldn't think of anything clever to post or maybe I have just been so busy getting acclimated to my new job and preparing for our two little twins. I would love for you to believe the latter of the two theories. I am excited to post that we are having one little boy and one little girl! It is such an awesome feeling. Suzie and I have felt from the beginning that we were going to have twins, and they were going to be a boy and a girl. Again it was the desire of our hearts, and I believe that God rewarded us. Why? I don't know, but I am very thankful for his grace and mercy. We have decided to name our boy Caleb and our girl Alethia (pronounced ahh-lay-thee-ahh). Caleb is one of my favorite characters in the Bible, and Alethia means God's truth in Greek. We are excited and starting to prepare the nursery for these two little youngsters.
Suzie was six months pregnant, on Tuesday January the 9th, and Wednesday January the 10th was our 3 year anniversary of being married! So as you see, I apologize for not keeping up with this journal, but things have been quite exciting and time consuming.
I have continued working at Radford University as a part-time employee, and absolutely love my job. I also have continued traveling around and speaking at many schools. My most recent speaking tour was in Martinsville, and Henry County. I had a blast and met many awesome administrators, teachers, and especially students. I have taken pictures of these presentations and posted them on myspace (www.myspace.com//skinnerru). We are gearing up for many presentations starting this month, and lasting until whenever we stop getting booked, which I hope is never! My perspective on life has changed due to the pregnancy of my wife and I feel that it has enhanced my presentation tremendously!!! I love what I do, and I can't wait to go to the next school or event to share my story.
"It has been awhile," but I am very happy to be back journaling for you! I promise it won't be so long this time. Take care of yourselves and make your lives count!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
"Good things come to people who wait"
I know, probably everyone has heard this phrase a time or two in their lives, but I really do believe it is true. Whenever in my life I have had to wait a certain period of time for something, it has always made that something so much better. In a previous Journal I wrote about being proactive in going after a job at Radford University. I told you that you need to go after the things that you want in order to get them and to keep pursuing and looking for the circumstances that you want in order to be happy in life.
Well, I spent a lot of time investing in trying to get a job at Radford University by calling individuals and e-mailing individuals repetitively. For some reason, I knew in my heart that working at Radford University was what I was supposed to do I just needed RU to understand that as well. Finally I got a phone call saying that they had to wait for the budget to come through in order to make a decision on my future job. Meanwhile my wife as you know is pregnant with twins, and I started feeling the pressure of wanting to provide for my family financially. After praying about the situation and still feeling like my heart was at Radford University I began to apply for other jobs. Immediately I had one job opportunity and possibly another one within a week, but my heart still didn't feel right about the decision. After turning down the initial job offer for another position on a Monday, I received a phone call that Thursday from Radford University offering me a part-time position working with the Dean of Students Office as a Student Programming and Support Specialist. In total the process took around three months to be completed. There were times during that wait in which I felt very antsy and/or uneasy about what I was doing in life. Now I am in my second week at work and absolutely love what I am doing.
Sometimes in life we have to trust in God's direction for us by following our heart and being patient. If we are patient, and faithful I feel that the phrase, "good things come to people who way," is 100% true and on point. The moral of the story is don't give up and be patient in waiting for what the desires of your heart are telling you.
P.S. Suzie is three months pregnant today, and both of the babies are healthy!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Celebrate Today!
Well there is some very exciting news in the Skinner household! Suzie and I have been going through the in vitro fertilization process for the past year and a half. The first time that we went through the process we had a negative result and it was very difficult. For those of you who don't know very much about the process, it is very long and very difficult especially on the women. My wife has to take all types of medicines and give herself shots for months which make her sick as can be. Then we have to go into all kinds of medical procedures in order to give the fertility specialists everything they need in order to try and make the process happen. After they in-plant the embryos you just sit back and have to wait for two weeks and then everything ends with a simple phone call. The doctor or nurse calls you and can tell you in one sentence either "yes" you are pregnant or "no" you're not! The first time when the doctor told me that the test results were negative it was devastating. Telling my wife that everything that we had been through (especially what she had been through) was a negative test and that she was not pregnant was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
The second in vitro cycle was amazing from the beginning. Our attitudes were much more realistic and positive from the get go. We gave all of our fears and insecurities to God. We essentially gave God the entire process and decided that we were going to trust that He was in total control and knew the best for our lives. The first amazing thing that happened was that our insurance denied paying for all of the fertility medications. These medications were going to cost us over $5,000. The day before my wife was supposed to start the shots the doctor's office called us and told us that they were just going to give us the medicine for free. It was awesome! It was a Godsend! We felt totally blessed! We continued through the process and took things one day at a time. The next awesome thing that occurred was that when I went for my procedure to extract sperm the doctor told me before I went in that he was not going to charge anything for the procedure. I immediately praised God! It was amazing. They charged us NOTHING!
After all was said and done we went in for the implant! The doctor implanted three embryos and we knew again that it was out of our hands. Again, my wife and I gave our situation over to God and trusted that he knew what was best for our lives. I am happy to report that we are not only pregnant (praise God), but we are pregnant with twins! Today we are headed to Wake Forest hospital to hear the baby's heartbeats! My perspective on life has totally changed and I feel as if the past 26 years of my life has just been a warm-up. Now I feel life is just getting ready to begin.
Six years ago I almost died! When I woke up one of the first questions I asked, after finding out that I was paralyzed from the chest down, was whether or not I would be able to have children. Today my wife is pregnant with twins, and that is what I get to celebrate! I don't know what tomorrow has in store for me and I don't really care right now! Today is what I have, and today is what I will celebrate! I encourage you do the same. Celebrate today, it is all you have!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
"If you focus on IT, IT will focus on you!"
There are times in all of our lives in which we focus on IT! IT is simply any negative scenario or situation, which we experience and/or will encounter in our lives. IT happens to all of us, there is no denying IT. The question is, "Will you choose to focus on IT?"
I am a quadriplegic which is defined by, Merriam-Webster dictionary, as "One affected with paralysis of both arms and legs." I want you to notice that the definition doesn't say, "One affected with paralysis of both arms and legs and CONTROLLED by IT! I believe this is so important to understand, because this is what IT can do in all of our lives! IT can CONTROL our thoughts, actions, perceptions, defense mechanisms, feelings, emotions, relationships, language, etc. IT can basically destroy what is the true purpose for all of our lives and that is to be successful! Not successful in the sense of money, but successful meaning that we are all predestined to be healthy and happy!
For the last year I have been complaining and saying that this has been the hardest year of my life, because of so many physiological situations that I have encountered. I would lie in bed or sit in my wheelchair focusing on ME, ME, ME, and all the things that were going wrong in my life. Today I know that because of IT, I lost many opportunities of feeling healthy and happy and in essence being successful.
Today I choose not to focus on IT, so that IT doesn't even have a chance to focus on me! I encourage you to do the same. Don't allow IT to have any CONTROL in your life! Take the time right now to let IT go, whatever IT may be in your situation! If you can comprehend this and apply this to your life, then I can promise you that things will start to brighten up in your world!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
"You got to have a dream, to have a dream come true!"
This is one of my favorite quotes! I heard this quote while watching a Virginia Tech football game in 1999. One of the broadcasters was questioning the football team as they ran onto the field with obvious confidence, "Who do these guys think they are? They are acting as if they can win the National Championship!" The accompanying broadcaster then replied, "Well, You got to have a dream, to have a dream come true!" That same year the Virginia Tech football team did in fact make it all the way to the national championship! Although they lost the game against Florida State they played hard with their heads held high. I have never forgotten that quote, and I often remind myself of this motto.
As you read in my previous journal I have just finished a Master's degree in Community Counseling. Now it is time to put my education to use and go out into the "real world" and find a job. As I sat and thought about what I would like to do, all I can think about was working at Radford University. I have such a passion for Radford University that I can't think of a better place to try and give back all of the experiences and education that I received to whoever I can. I made an appointment with the career service center and specifically asked to meet with the director. We got together and talked about a strategic plan for targeting a certain job, but all I can think about was working for Radford University. I told her this, and that I was looking for a part-time job so that I can still continue my passion of speaking. After the meeting I went straight home and made phone calls to the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students to meet with them. You have to understand that there really isn't any job openings per se, but my dream is to work at the University so I know that it won't happen if I don't at least give it a try, hence the quote, "You got to have a dream, to have a dream come true!" I just rolled right into their offices and let them know basically who I was and what my dream was. I left each of them a copy of my resume and left with a sense of satisfaction.
As of now I do not have a job, but I put my dream into action! Many of us sit around and dream about things that we would like to do, but never follow through with action. I say if you have a dream and you want it bad enough then go for it!
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Today, May 6, 2006, I achieved a goal that took me four long years of blood, sweat and even a few tears. It is a goal that most people can achieve in as little as eighteen months. For me, it took superhuman strength that I believe comes from my faith in God, determination, willpower and abundance of help from my family and friends. I had to overcome health problems, physical barriers, attitude problems, mechanical breakdowns and a mind battle of my own.
When I think back to my undergrad days, I remember looking at the Master's students and thinking, "those are the smart people -- the ones that know who they are and where they want to go. I could never do that." I never considered myself to be one of the "smart" people. I was athletic, funny, physically attractive, but I would never have thought it possible for me to do what I just did.
Today, I received my Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Radford University. I rolled across the stage in an auditorium of cheering people, filled with the emotions. Two of my favorite professors placed the Master's hood over my head and then raised my hands in victory -- just like Rocky. I did it! And, I did it well staying on the Dean's List. I am now officially one of those smart people ... and believe me ... if I can do this, you can achieve anything you set your mind to achieve. Don't let anything get in your way. I want you to experience the thrill of success!
Officially yours,
Christopher S. Skinner, MS
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
I thought I would share with you the answers to questions from students at Deep Run High School:
What would you say inspired you the most to come back from your injury and become so successful?
I was blessed with an abundance of support from my friends and family members. I was fortunate to have the best of medical care. Everything that I needed was in place to allow me to be successful. It just took determination from deep within me. I must say it was hard in the beginning to find that determination. I didn't want to live as a paralyzed person. I wanted to give up, but my family wouldn't let me consider it.
I was also very fortunate to marry a positive, supportive person who was my physical therapist in rehab. My parents call her an angel. I agree and when you're living with an angel, you can't help but stay positive and motivated.
How would you describe yourself before the accident?
Before my accident, I was probably the luckiest person on earth. I had athletic ability, personality, physical strength and attractiveness (I'm told by the girls). I had an abundance of friends -- young and old. I was always the first one to be invited to a party or picked for a team. I guess you could say I lived a charmed life. I had it all and didn't realize it.
Did you ever think you would attend graduate school before you were injured? Did you have any real future plans?
I doubt that graduate school would have been even the slightest consideration before my accident. I was too busy living life to the fullest. School, I'm ashamed to say, was at the bottom of my list of priorities. I didn't really plan anything. I just lived in the moment.
What do you think was the hardest change you had to face afterwards?
Losing my physical abilities which equated to the things I loved most -- losing the ability to play basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, swimming, dancing, surfing, and skiing was probably the hardest of all. I did it all and I was good at all of it. I went from being the luckiest person on earth to being the one that everyone looked at and felt sorry for. Who I used to be was so tied up in the physical, that in all reality, I died in the accident. That Chris Skinner exists no more ... and I still grieve that loss even today. I would love to hold a baseball bat in my hands and feel the impact of the ball as I swing. Everyone called me "Outer Banks" in high school. I'd like to ride a wave again.
What affect do you want your book/speeches to have on people?
My whole goal in traveling and speaking is to encourage you to make better decisions, especially those involving alcohol and drugs. Every decision you make can and will have a lasting impact on your life. That may sound frightening, but in reality it is empowering. It just means that you have control over your life. You can make it better ... or you can make it worse. The choice is yours.
Do you ever get nervous during your speeches? Why or why not?
I never get nervous. I'm just telling my story. I have always loved people and I have never met a stranger. I take my job very seriously. It isn't easy for me to travel and I don't feel very well most of the time. But every student in every school is the most important person in the world to me. I do it for that one person who will listen and change what they are doing. I answer all my own emails personally.
What is your ultimate life goal?
I will soon reach one major goal. I will graduate this May (6th) with my master's degree in counseling. I am currently working with small groups as a counselor in an alcohol and drug treatment center. I hope to continue that work in addition to traveling and speaking at high schools, colleges and universities. I want to be able to leave this world a better place because I was here. I want to make a difference in the lives of others. I want my life to count.
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
When I wrote to you the last entry, I was very ill. I spoke of achieving goals and looking forward to tomorrow, but I really didn’t know if there would be a tomorrow for me. I had one of the “super” infections that require some very serious treatment. It was a very intense time for me, as well as for my family and friends.
I am happy to report that I’m back! I am completely cured and eager to come to visit you and share with you “The Ultimate Learning Experience” which continues to teach me lessons - every day – even five years after my accident.
I hope you will be able to learn from my experience also so that you and your family and friends will never have to live through what I have.
Faithfully yours,
Chris
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Today is my birthday! I have been on this earth twenty-something years and I hope to have many more birthdays. I have a lot of things I really want to do in my lifetime and I hope to have the opportunity.
I want to finish my master's degree in counseling and become a Professional Licensed Counselor. I want to encourage as many people as I can to make better decisions and make their lives meaningful. I want to live long enough to be able to walk again someday…or at least get some feeling back in my hands and body – when the scientists get it all figured out. I want to be able to have children of my own. I want to have many happy times with my wife, my friends and my family.
Tomorrow is a gift, not a guarantee. We mark the passing of time by remembering anniversaries of events in our lives – some happy and others not so happy. It has been over five years that I've lived with physical challenges of a paralyzed person. I have many limitations of what I actually can and will be able to accomplish in this lifetime. However, I am reminded of what is really important in this quote from Theodore Roosevelt:
“What a man does for himself dies with him, but what he does for others lives on forever.”
I want my life to make a difference. How about you?
Chris
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, October 17, 2005
We all have to make choices and I find myself in a position that requires me to make a very difficult choice. I must clear my schedule and limit my time on the road until next fall (2006). I love travelling and will miss meeting new friends. However, I have some very exciting projects that I'm working on right now that I hope to be able to share with you in the near future.
Please keep checking back for updates...and be sure to schedule early for next fall. The calendar is already getting filled.
Until then...stay strong and true to your goals.
Chris
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Life is all about change and our doubts concerning whether we can deal with it. We can’t avoid changes in our life. Change doesn’t have to be something bad to be hard to deal with. It is in our nature for our first reaction in dealing with change to be somewhat negative. We get upset. We put on mental brakes…attempting to hold our ground…refusing to move forward into the unknown. Yet change happens. Sometimes we just need a little more time to get used to the concept. Other times, we need to talk ourselves into it. Still other changes happen almost unobserved…like aging. It happens everyday that we wake up. Our bodies change, but it can take years for us to notice. Then one day we look in the mirror and we see the effects and wonder, “how did that happen to us.”
When the change that occurs is bad, such as being paralyzed, a heart attack, cancer, or some other life altering occurrence…and it changes the way you must live your life…forever…it is even harder to get through. There are negative emotions to overcome and a realization must occur that you have no choice but to accept it and move forward. That’s when a positive attitude makes the difference.
The way we deal with the changes that come our way determines what our tomorrows will be like. Make the most of yours.
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." - Lou Holtz
It has been an extremely busy spring and summer...and that can cause the motivation and attitude to slip a bit. It's good to have a re-adjustment now and then.
I just got back from an amazing time at the YADAPP Conference. This is my third opportunity to speak with the folks who attend and I think it gets better every year. The kids and their leaders are a huge inspiration to me. I always come away feeling like superman. Thank you all for your encouragement and the positive influence you spread in your own home towns. It is so good for me to know that what I'm doing has some meaning.
I'm looking forward to the fall with a much busier schedule which includes some new and different opportunities. My abilities and motivation will be greatly challenged, but I'll be on guard to keep the attitude strong. I challenge you to do the same in all that you do.
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
Monday, April 11, 2005
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” – Woodrow Wilson
Now that statement is really something to read again and again and let the meaning seep into your mind. Our reason for being is to make an impact on this world! WOW! How many of us can honestly say that we are doing that…or that it is even our goal?
Don’t we just live within our comfort zone, merely going through the motions of our daily routines...making a living the best that we can? In fact, don’t we get so deeply engrained into our routine that we sometimes even wear the same clothes on a certain day of the week – Monday the blue shirt, Tuesday the Green shirt, or eat out at the same restaurant on Fridays? If we get too comfortable… too busy with ourselves and our routines, how can we enrich this world with a “spirit of hope and achievement?”
Perhaps…instead of merely making a living and paying the bills, we should think about where our talents lie and how we can use them to serve others and our society. I know we need to make a living…and we all have bills to pay…but shouldn’t we try to step out of our comfort zone a little to help others – with words of hope and encouragement…and even spend some of your time and resources on something outside yourself?
I have to constantly remind myself of what my “errand” is, because it is much easier for me to stay in my comfort zone – my home and sometimes my bed. Instead, I dig deep inside myself and find the strength to get up and get on with my mission…coming to talk with you. I think it is ironic that the rehab center that gave me back my life was named after Woodrow Wilson (Woodrow Wilson Rehab Center). In fact, I met my wife there. Talk about being enriched!
It is staggering to think about how this world could change if we all could have a goal to spread hope and encouragement to everyone we meet…everyday of our lives! Give it a try! It could change your own life as well.
Posted by Chris. God Bless!
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