(8) Fletcher Cleaves

In our Neurological Aspects course we had a guest speaker, Fletcher Cleaves. Talk about motivation! It is sad that it takes stories like Fletcher's to remind you how truly blessed you are. Not only did it remind me how truly blessed I am to have a working spinal cord, but also to be in the profession of occupational therapy.

Fletcher Cleaves was in a car accident, resulting in a spinal cord injury and ending his football career. The positivity radiating from him definitely rubbed off. Although still bitter about how it happened, Fletcher has such a good outlook on life. When talking with us, he discussed how the occupational therapist helped him keep a positive outlook when everyone else was telling him he could not do it all the time. Fletcher was able to find humor in his situation, and what a gift that is! Before his accident, Fletcher already had an incredible work ethic from football. So, when he was paralyzed he transitioned that work ethic to being as strong as he could be in his new body. Surpassing milestones many said he would never get to. Fletcher had such a fun-loving personality, I hope our paths cross again someday!

If you are reading this and do not know who Fletcher is, you can watch his story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kBaLbubNd4&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop