Greg Abbott Accident
Governor Greg Abbott, a 26-year-old recent law school graduate, decided to take a break from studying for the bar exam on a summer day in July 1984 by going for a jog in a west Houston neighbourhood, as he had done many times before. While out running, a large oak tree along his path cracked and fell on Governor Abbott’s back, paralysing him from the waist down for the rest of his life.
Doctors discovered several crushed vertebrae splintering into his spinal cord, broken ribs, and damage to vital organs after he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors worked to reassemble his vertebrae as he lay in a hospital bed, writhing in excruciating pain. They implanted two steel rods near his spine that will remain in place for the rest of his life. Governor Abbott was reminded of lessons he’d learned his entire life during his harrowing recovery process, particularly the lesson of perseverance.
Reference: gregabbott
Who Is Greg Abbott?
Abbott received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School in Tennessee. Later, the Republican was elected Attorney General of Texas, a position he held from 2002 to 2015. During his tenure as Attorney General, he filed 31 lawsuits against President Barack Obama. He then became the 48th governor of Texas.
Cecilia Abbott is Texas’ first Hispanic first lady.
“Cecilia Abbott’s story reminds us all that the American Dream is alive and well in Texas,” reads her bio.
The granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, she was raised in San Antonio by parents who were both teachers. She has worked as a teacher, vice principal, and principal in several Texas schools. The Abbotts have been married for over 40 years. Audrey, their recent college graduate, is their only child.
Reference: The Sun UK
Image source: Twitter
Why Is Greg Abbott In A Wheelchair?
In the summer of 1984, Abbott was 26 and a recent law school graduate when he was injured in a freak accident while jogging. A large oak tree cracked and fell on him, paralysing him from the waist down. Two steel rods were implanted near his spine and will be there for the rest of his life.
“During his harrowing recovery process, Governor Abbott was reminded of lessons he’d learned all his life, especially the lesson of perseverance,” reads a description on the governor’s website.
“While some politicians talk about having a spine of steel, Governor Abbott actually has one.
“He’ll use his steel spine to fight for you and every Texas family.”
Reference: The Sun
How Did Greg Abbott Break His Back?
Abbott revealed in a YouTube video posted to his official account: “I was just jogging along like any other day.”
“Then, bam – a huge explosion-type sound occurred right next to me.”
The politician further shared: “Next thing I know, I was down because this huge tree had fallen on me.”
“The pain was excruciating, it felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to my back.”
“I was literally at death’s door and felt like I had to cling to every single moment.”
“When you’re lying in bed throttled with pain, you have to apply lessons that you’ve learned all of your life.”
Abbott recalled: “For me, that lesson was perseverance. It was the lesson of never, ever giving up.”
“Our lives aren’t defined by our challenges. Instead, we get to define our lives based on how we respond to those challenges.”
Reference: The Sun
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