This local hero entry is for my friends sweet brother Augustine “Augie” Pena. He was 21 years old when he served a tour of duty under Operation Iraqi Freedom in ‘09-’10. There, his MOS assigned was Civil affairs. He loved his role; he just absolutely loves helping any person in need. With a few close calls in harm’s way overseas, he returned home safely and with no injury. His life would be changed on the night of Thanksgiving 2010.

Sometime before midnight, a friend called asking for assistance changing a flat tire on the shoulder of a highway. Naturally, her brother wanted to help and would not allow his friend to go alone. While attempting to remove the flat tire, a drunk driver struck the car my  friends brother and his friend arrived in, which also struck the disabled car and the two boys. Augie suffered the most severe of the four individuals injuries; a severed spine and major head trauma resulting in his diagnosis of quadriplegia. This news was devastating to my  friends family as Augie was always full of life and energy. I am proud to announce that Augie has remained in high spirits and positive since the news of his injury. He is presently holding on to the hope of someday walking again.

In order to overcome his injury, Augie has taken a multitude of steps to both improve his rehabilitation and develop creative ways to accomplish tasks that many consider routine. When possible he attends Wounded Warrior sponsored events where he learns new skills such as utilizing modified rifles for target shooting. Additionally, he recently completed an introductory computer design class. Augie plans to continue with this education despite extremely limited hand and finger dexterity. Finally, Augie collaborated with a friend to invent a modified phone charger that allows his wheelchair to power his mobile device ensuring that he will never be unable to communicate in an emergency.

Due to various bureaucratic issues, Augie is only receiving moderate living assistance and is unable to purchase his own vehicle, a wheelchair accessible vehicle costs approximately $40,000. Augie resides outside of city limits and there are no public transportation options available. Having his own wheelchair accessible vehicle would greatly help Augie continue to overcome his disabilities through continuing education and outdoor activities that are unavailable to him when Alamo Mobility’s Warrior Wagon is not available.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? HOW CAN YOU HELP     ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

May is National Mobility Awareness Month and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) are celebrating Local Heroes all across North America. They will be giving away a minimum of three Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles to a caregiver, veteran or person with a disability that is dealing with or overcoming mobility challenges.

The Winners will be selected by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) from the TOP TEN PERCENT of entries that received the MOST VOTES at the conclusion of the Voting Period.

First-time voters please use code 754 to make your vote count as 5 votes! If this is not your first time voting, you can still vote daily (will count as one, but that’s totally fine and thanks for giving us that 5-vote edge!)

Thank you for your help!

Crazy how much control this dancer has over his body. That’s awesome.. kudos to him!!

I read this story on one of my friends Facebook pages and it really enlightened me in many ways. When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes….’ The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.. ‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else—the small stuff. ‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities.The rest is just sand.One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Please share this with someone you care about.

LIFE ISN’T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS…… IT’S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.

I wanna plank now after watching this video! Lol!