A True
Story Of Joy
Motivational Inspiration For Awareness
For two hours he lay in the grave-like confines of the irrigation
ditch, waiting. His head, pillowed by the unbudging rock,
seemed disconnected from his motionless body. As family
members wondered at his delay, Tim Swieckowski remained
imprisoned within the cell that was his own flesh. He tried
to scream but physical injuries foiled any attempt. "
Why can't I get up? " he agonized. Panic accompanied
the struggling dance of life and death that whirled around
and through him.
Tim's last day of freedom had held all of the routine and
exuberance that belongs to a 15 year old. A day of classes
at his Colorado Junior High, a trek to the video store with
brother and parents for games and a movie, a bike ride to
a friends house.
Then, the return home, faster now because it was darkening
and he was anxious to play the video games. He pumped with
vigor, as always, past gray, silent fields. But a section
of excavated pavement, like a demon's open mouth, waited
in his path. No cautionary lights or reflectors slowed his
pace. Without warning, Tim's " routine " ended,
abruptly and forever.
As he catapulted over the handlebars he felt his neck hyper
extend forward. His body slammed against hardened soil forcing
the air from his lungs, leaving his feet twisted at a bizarre
angle. What evil intent had so cruelly expelled him from
the animated life of a teenager into an alien and unknown
lifestyle--one as a quadriplegic?
Tim's awareness focused on one thing, the swelling in his
neck. Its heat rose, contrasting the chill of the rock.
As the temperature dropped to 15 degrees a light snow begin
to fall. But Tim felt neither the water from the bottom
of the irrigation ditch soaking his clothes, nor the pressure
from blood pooling in his legs. In the first moments of
fear his mind cried out, " I need help, I need help.
" Then emerged a single thought, " it's going
to be alright; there is a purpose in this. " Where
had it come from? With clarity and strength it penetrated
the soul of a 15 year old boy who had so revealed in life
and in experiences. Joined to get was a promise--of hope
and vision. Tim felt, " all the love in the world was
shining on me. " And this love stayed with him, sustaining
him until he was found by his parents. More than that, what
Tim describes as a, " divine intervention that touched
me, " did not draw back once human help arrived.
"Code Black, " were the words spoken into their
radios by arriving paramedics. After examination at Poudre
Valley Hospital, Tim wasn't expected to live through the
night. But the love which had visited him in the culvert
had in fact implanted itself within him welcoming and embracing
each new day. Its presence miraculously disarmed the anger,
frustration or despair that ordinarily would accompany such
a devastating injury. Instead of raging, Tim, stabilized
by a steel " halo " screwed into his skull, would
sing, " Sweet Mary Lou "to his nurse of that name.
A " corset " was fitted to keep his torso straight,
along with splints for hands and feet. Then Tim began the
expansion of his mind to master new tasks--controlling blood
pressure, maintaining body position.
After 2 months of stabilized hospital care, Tim was rereleased
to a rehab center in Denver. There, for the next 5 months
he training like an Olympian, reclaiming the body this brutal
accident had nearly destroyed. The kid who once gathered
odds and ends from garage sales, turned them into a bike
or a remote control airplane, now grabbed hold of everything
without an within himself putting it to use in his recovery.
" I just made everything work with what I {had} to
work with.
With that first powerful touch of love in his desperate
circumstances, Tim's mind and heart had surged and he knew
he, " couldn't get enough of life. " He's been
been in hot pursuit ever since come mastering one challenge
after another. From his return to Junior High in a wheelchair,
to further studies a community college and subsequently,
Colorado State, Tim as never slowed for self-pity or resentment.
Instead, his purposeful quest for knowledge has elevated
him above such debilitating emotions. It also promoted him
into his dream job.
Today he lives alone in a Florida, beach-side duplex working
as director for Dream Quest Adventurers Inc. His expertise
in archaeology and maritime history makes Tim the ideal
high-tech guide for recreating tragic history. From his
desk he directs searches in foreign archives. Via computer
he identifies manuscripts which hold the history and specifications
of sunken ships. He himself participates in exploratory
dives aided by a second diver.
Tim's contribution to the world in uncovering the past and
retrieving priceless artifacts is impressive. Even greater
value is his living example. It reaches the depths of our
souls, uncovering and retrieving worth, purpose, courage.
Those treasures so easily submerged by waves of injustice,
disease, fear or doubt washing across our reality. Pure
joy is reflected in his smile, his voice, his daily activities
and his innumerable accomplishments. " I'm rich inside
my soul, " he proclaims.
Is this the promise joy?
Let Earth Receive Her King;
Let Ev'ry Heart Prepare His Room,
And Heav'n And Nature Sing.
Tim
Swieckowski
www.DreamQuest.CC
PLEASE
TAKE 5 MINUTES AND VISIT TIM'S WEBSITE TODAY
www.DreamQuest.CC
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