Most quadriplegics need medications but not Charlie Ekizian. Since breaking his neck in 1968 Charlie has used sports, prayer and Qi Gong to keep his body functioning. Since his spinal cord was crushed at the fifth cervical vertabra, Charlie was told he wouldn't be able to use his arms or legs. Not only did he regain the use of his arms but he held the National Wheelchair Games records in the shotput and discus in his division. Over a thirty year period, he became an athlete taking gold and silver medals in many track and field events. Today, at 61, Charlie can still press 220 pounds.
Charlie has never been hospitalized since his initial rehabilitation, nor has he regularly taken pharmaceuticals. By staying physically active he was able to keep his body working properly until age 57. At that point his shoulders were starting to bother him, so he began learning Tai Qi and Qi Gong so he could move the Qi in his arms and legs. Charlie adapted the forms and movements that able-bodied people use to his own capablilities. With daily Qi Gong and weekly Tai Qi, Charlie recovered his shoulder function
Charlie credits much of his success to his practice of helping others. From 1970 to 1981 he worked at the Tufts New England Medical Center counseling newly injured people. He would encourage the quadriplegics and paraplegics to get involved in sports, even going himself to pick them up and take them to sporting events. Eventually, in 1989, Charlie and his wife Danielle founded the Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association (WSRA), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, to expand their capabilities and help more people. In the last twenty years, hundreds of disabled people have participated in their programs.
Charlie is quick to point out that prayer has been a major factor in his success, contributing to an overriding sense of joy and contentment. In talking to Charlie, one will not find a trace of anger at the blow that fate dealt him in 1968. Charlie even credits his accident for putting him on a more spiritual path.
Today, Charlie is very concerned about the veterans of foreign wars returning with spinal cord injuries. Many of these young people see their life as over, that they'll neither get married nor have the career that they wanted. Charlie has three things to say to the newly injured:
- first, with spiritual effort your life can be even better than you envisioned before your injury--although it will be different,
- second, listen to "that still, small voice" (as Charlie calls it), your inner guidance, and
- third, get out and meet people like himself that have had an active and successful life.
To those of us who aren't injured, Charlie asks that we remember that activity is important for all humans. Don't put the spinal cord injured in nursing homes where they rot, over-medicated and under-stimulated. And please, "Don't park in our parking places!"
You can see Charlie in the 2009 documentary film, Going the Distance: Charlie's Story of Endurance by Triple Knot Productions.
There's 60 minutes worth of good advice for the newly injured on Charlie's 2008 CD, Striving & Striving. There's even five minutes of advice on the CD about how to have a successful sex-life after a spinal cord injury.
Don't miss the WSRAfilms channel on YouTube with 16 short videos of Charlie talking about various sports and health issues.
Charlie's life should be an inspiration to all of us--but especially to the newly injured. Make sure that your friends with spinal-cord injuries know about Charlie's story.
