[Fumblerooskies]

My mom gave me the heads-up on this story from The Roanoke Times...

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/161377

Gary Ricketts was an athlete, hustling down a Roanoke soccer field. Then came the car accident in 1999 that left him a quadriplegic, moving from one Roanoke medical facility to another.

The accident not only put him in a wheelchair but also halted his college studies at the beginning of his final year.

It would be understandable if he were bitter.

And yet he is steadfast in his faith and in his upbeat approach to life. Three years ago he returned to college via online courses.

This morning, he will graduate from Liberty University, achieving a life goal at the school where he used to score other goals.

[4everfsu]

God bless him and his ministry

[Sly Fox]

I just read this myself. That is an outstanding testament to not only the flexibility of our school but to Gary's determination.

[PeterParker]

I sat next to Ricketts in a survey course back in 1997 or 1998. He was always friendly and he never exhibited a hint arrogance nor pretentiousness (as some in the sport of futbol can sometimes be.)


I remember he was encouraging for those of us considering going the walk-on route with the squad. While some were less than helpful, I remember him being genuine in his words just as the article states.


When the accident happened, most of the student body at the time were aware of him and the accident as he was one of the more well-known players, sort of a precursor to Telesford and Roberts. It was rumored that he was in talks with the Richmond Kickers of the A-League (at that time the MLS Minor Leagues) before the accident. What a great article...It's great to see how far he has come since that devastating accident.


Wish him nothing but the best...any word on if the LU Soccer Alumni Community has considered a fund that folks could contribute to help lessen the burden of the cost of care?

[bigsmooth]

great story on gary! a true testament of never giving up!! congrats to him!

[Sly Fox]

The Lynchburg fishwrap follows suit ...

Liberty graduate overcomes adversity to see dream realized

By Christa Desrets
Published: May 10, 2008

Gary Ricketts was a semester away from graduating from Liberty University in 1999 when his life changed forever.

He had traveled with friends to Atlanta, he said, and on the way back fell asleep in the passenger seat.

When he woke up, the car had flipped over an embankment, and his friends were trying to pull him from his seat.

“Somehow, I knew for them not to,” he said. “It’s almost like I was in a trance-like state, kind of going in and out of consciousness, and I could feel from my chest down was burning, almost like my body was on fire.”

Click Here for Full Story