Our Story
Where do I even begin? Okay well here's us way, way, way back.
We didn't know each other then, but we're cute right?
(T8 marks the level of injury.
All feeling and function below
T8 was severed in the accident)
In 2001, when he was 14 and I was 13, his family moved in to my cul-de-sac. We became friends and in the years to come our friendship turned into something more. A couple years later he invited me over to his house where he asked me to be his girlfriend and gave me my first kiss. That was it for me... I was infatuated.. enamored.. I was all in (yes, at 15). Our silly relationship as 15 year-olds didn't last long; we hung out in different circles and lead very different lives; we didn't even go to the same high school. We called off our "official relationship" and went our own ways but we were still neighbors so we kept in touch and saw each other often.
Life changed for a lot of people on the day of David's accident, most of all his own. A very active 16 year old who was learning to drive suddenly became bed ridden, in ample amounts of pain, re-learning how to do daily functions, and struggling with the depression that would understandably accompany a life changing accident like his. Life changed for his family in countless ways; helping him learn how to get around in this new reality, creating accommodations around the house, picking up an extra chore or two. Life changed for his friends and life DEFINITELY changed for me.
My heart was broken for him, I knew how devastated he must have been and how much of a proverbial wrench this threw into his life plans. I felt helpless and depressed and I could only imagine how much stronger he felt those same emotions. I visited him in the hospital, wrote notes, and tried to raise money for hand controls to fit into a car he could drive. Seeing his positivity and strength during recovery confirmed what I already knew. He was the one for me and now, more than ever before, I was the one for him.
A lot happened in the 4 years following his accident including both of us graduating from high school, a move out of state (twice), and both of us dating other people.
In 2009 we started hanging out [as adults rather than kids] and the flower blossomed from there. We made our relationship official on June 25th, 2010 and have been together ever since. We have been living together for the last 2 years and are starting some other very exciting journeys together.
Here's some more recent pics of us :)
(If you're on a mobile device, click here to view)
We didn't know each other then, but we're cute right?
The Girl's Story:
My name's Rachael. I came into existence in '89 and was raised in San Diego, CA where I still reside. I went to a private, Christian high school and did competitive dance until I graduated in 2007. After living in Arizona & Oklahoma for short times I came back home and went on to follow in my families footsteps and become a 3rd generation Real Estate Broker. I have now been in the business for 7 years and couldn't imagine doing anything else.The Boy's Story:
His name's David. He was born in Tennessee in '88 where he lived until he was 12. His family then moved to San Diego where he began racing downhill mountain bikes for different teams and competitions. On September 11th, 2004, at the age of 16, David was in an accident while riding his mountain bike that resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury. He waited 3 hours while his friends rode their bikes to the nearest hospital and got help. He was flight lifted out in a helicopter and taken to the hospital where he went straight into an 8 hour surgery. The Dr.s put metal rods down both sides of his spine and diagnosed him as a T8 Paraplegic. Today he is also a licensed Real Estate Sales Person and works in the office doing admin tasks and learning the ropes of the business.
(T8 marks the level of injury.
T8 was severed in the accident)
Our Story:
Now for the happily ever after..In 2001, when he was 14 and I was 13, his family moved in to my cul-de-sac. We became friends and in the years to come our friendship turned into something more. A couple years later he invited me over to his house where he asked me to be his girlfriend and gave me my first kiss. That was it for me... I was infatuated.. enamored.. I was all in (yes, at 15). Our silly relationship as 15 year-olds didn't last long; we hung out in different circles and lead very different lives; we didn't even go to the same high school. We called off our "official relationship" and went our own ways but we were still neighbors so we kept in touch and saw each other often.
Life changed for a lot of people on the day of David's accident, most of all his own. A very active 16 year old who was learning to drive suddenly became bed ridden, in ample amounts of pain, re-learning how to do daily functions, and struggling with the depression that would understandably accompany a life changing accident like his. Life changed for his family in countless ways; helping him learn how to get around in this new reality, creating accommodations around the house, picking up an extra chore or two. Life changed for his friends and life DEFINITELY changed for me.
My heart was broken for him, I knew how devastated he must have been and how much of a proverbial wrench this threw into his life plans. I felt helpless and depressed and I could only imagine how much stronger he felt those same emotions. I visited him in the hospital, wrote notes, and tried to raise money for hand controls to fit into a car he could drive. Seeing his positivity and strength during recovery confirmed what I already knew. He was the one for me and now, more than ever before, I was the one for him.
A lot happened in the 4 years following his accident including both of us graduating from high school, a move out of state (twice), and both of us dating other people.
In 2009 we started hanging out [as adults rather than kids] and the flower blossomed from there. We made our relationship official on June 25th, 2010 and have been together ever since. We have been living together for the last 2 years and are starting some other very exciting journeys together.
Here's some more recent pics of us :)
(If you're on a mobile device, click here to view)
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