Max
08-28-2005, 12:44 PM
A stark example for kids
Man details paralysis in safety speeches
Barbara Dargis
Published August 28, 2005
JOLIET -- Seven years ago, an ill-advised belly flop into shallow water in the Des Plaines River left Eric Ciesielski paralyzed from the chest down.
Today the 29-year-old Ciesielski, who lives independently in Elwood, does everything he can to warn young people away from the choices that put him in a wheelchair.
"I tell students definitely not to drink during high school," Ciesielski said, recalling his first round of speaking engagements for the Joliet chapter of the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation in the spring at Plainfield Central High School.
"But I also tell these kids to think about what they're going to do before they do it."
Ciesielski acknowledges that the cautionary message he carries may ring hollow with some young listeners, but he believes his perspective from a wheelchair speaks volumes.
"Whether or not I scare any kids straight I don't know. But if I reach at least a few it will be worth it."
He spoke to most of the junior and senior health classes at Plainfield Central, said Kathleen Farnsworth, a physical therapist at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where Ciesielski rehabs. As director of the area's ThinkFirst chapter, she hopes to have him visit many more classrooms during the new school year.
Ciesielski doesn't hesitate to share details of the day he suffered a broken neck when he hit the river bottom. He had a few beers before jumping, he said. And he acknowledges that he spent his free time in high school partying rather than getting involved in activities.
"I want these kids to remember me enough that if the situation comes up, they will at least think first," he said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0508280345aug28,1,5050927.story?coll=chi-newslocalssouthwest-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
Man details paralysis in safety speeches
Barbara Dargis
Published August 28, 2005
JOLIET -- Seven years ago, an ill-advised belly flop into shallow water in the Des Plaines River left Eric Ciesielski paralyzed from the chest down.
Today the 29-year-old Ciesielski, who lives independently in Elwood, does everything he can to warn young people away from the choices that put him in a wheelchair.
"I tell students definitely not to drink during high school," Ciesielski said, recalling his first round of speaking engagements for the Joliet chapter of the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation in the spring at Plainfield Central High School.
"But I also tell these kids to think about what they're going to do before they do it."
Ciesielski acknowledges that the cautionary message he carries may ring hollow with some young listeners, but he believes his perspective from a wheelchair speaks volumes.
"Whether or not I scare any kids straight I don't know. But if I reach at least a few it will be worth it."
He spoke to most of the junior and senior health classes at Plainfield Central, said Kathleen Farnsworth, a physical therapist at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where Ciesielski rehabs. As director of the area's ThinkFirst chapter, she hopes to have him visit many more classrooms during the new school year.
Ciesielski doesn't hesitate to share details of the day he suffered a broken neck when he hit the river bottom. He had a few beers before jumping, he said. And he acknowledges that he spent his free time in high school partying rather than getting involved in activities.
"I want these kids to remember me enough that if the situation comes up, they will at least think first," he said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0508280345aug28,1,5050927.story?coll=chi-newslocalssouthwest-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true