"I hit a tree and broke my neck." Those are the words of Gene Heppard, who, in 1993, was involved in a life-altering skiing accident at the age of 21. While some may have processed the event as an ending, Gene ultimately discovered that it was the beginning of his new path. Adjusting to life as a C5 quadriplegic was a drastic change for an athletic young man, but Gene not only adjusted, he found a new purpose. Through the dedicated pursuit of a college education, Gene created a future for himself, one in which his knowledge and skills help students with disabilities to pursue their educational goals. Read a firsthand account of how Gene moved beyond what happened on that Colorado mountainside to eventually become the Manager of the Disability Resource Center at Phoenix College.

Read the full story here, (PDF)