Cory Hahn (and Eric LeGrand) continues to defy the odds

Both are very inspirational stories demonstrating the incredible strength of the human spirit as well as how much we can accomplish even when it appears that our life challenges or circumstances are hopelessly stacked against us.

I have heard that Eric LeGrand's rehabilitation goal is to be able to go back to the spot on the field where he was hurt and get back up and walk off the field under his own power.

Let's hope that he finds the strength to do just that.

Maybe we need to appreciate the heroism of ordinary athletes more than what passes for and is accepted as "heroism" on the part of some of our more highly decorated sports heroes.


from foxsportswest.com:
Cory Hahn continues to defy the odds:

SANTA ANA, Calif. — When you tell Mater Dei alum Cory Hahn he can't do something, there's a charge that goes through his mind. A charge so strong it borders defiance.

It fuels him.

So after being told he would never function normally again after suffering a freak injury on the baseball field two years ago, it only added fuel to his fire.

Hahn, who played on the United States' first gold-winning 18U team alongside Bryce Harper of the Nationals and Manny Machado of the Orioles, was selected in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. After already signing his Letter of Intent with Arizona State, he decided to honor his pledge to the Sun Devils.

Fresh off leading Mater Dei High School to a CIF title in 2010 and being named an All-American and Orange County's 2010 Player of the Year, Hahn was ready for the next level.

In just his third game at Arizona State, he was at first base when a double steal was called. It was the first steal attempt of his college career. 

The throw was off-line as Hahn slid head first into second base. His head went into the leg of the player covering, fracturing his C-5 vertebrae.

He was left on the field motionless, paralyzed from the chest down.

'via Blog this'

from abcnews.com
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/05/02/paralyzed-athlete-eric-legrand-inspires-signs-on-as-sportscaster-with-bucs/

“No one does inspiration better than Eric,” said Peter Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which supports research and advocacy efforts.

“Its significance is huge,” he said. “Chris [Reeve] used to say, ‘It’s what you do after the accident that matters.’  In the 18 months since his injury, it’s been a natural culmination. He wanted a career in broadcasting and wanted to stay involved in football. What a great message for those living with spinal cord injuries and for their families and employers.”

LeGrand’s former coach Greg Schiano has supported the player since he was injured.

“This  coach demonstrated that coaching doesn’t end when football season is over,” Wilderotter said of Schiano.