When Randy Oates finishes the 2007 River Cities Triathlon in a fast time, it seems like all is right with the world. Just a few months away from turning sixty-four, he sees retirement as a succession of blissful years to spend time with his wife, sail, run, cycle-and win more races.
A few days later, a doctor diagnoses Randy's postrace leg cramp as the result of a slightly bulging disk. But when the doctor turns a "routine procedure" into a tragic accident, Randy wakes up a paraplegic. And doctor after doctor tells him he will never walk again.
This could be how his story ends. But it isn't.
Defying the odds, Randy chooses the challenging path of hope and rehab. And with a team of dedicated individuals-including therapists, personal trainers, acupuncturists, and the "Holy Trinity" of his wife, son, and best friend-he slowly moves toward the seemingly impossible task of putting one foot in front of the other.
It takes a village to rebuild Randy Oates, and his candid account in The Healing Begins Today of the people, procedures, and perseverance necessary to win back his life will inspire readers to seek their own "village" to overcome obstacles.
About the Author: Randy Oates grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and had a flourishing career in marketing. Even after retiring, he remained active-his main hobbies included sailing, running, cycling, and competing in triathlons. But in 2007, when a common medical procedure went tragically wrong, he became a paraplegic just months before turning sixty-four.
Refusing to remain in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Oates faced the challenge of rehab, defying the medical odds stacked against him. Thanks to the work and dedication of therapists, family, close friends, and his extremely patient and loving wife, he is proud to be a recovering paraplegic. The Healing Begins Today tells his inspiring story of recovery.
Now in his seventies, Oates lives with his wife in Florida-and can walk with the aid of braces and canes.
