9 years...huh?

Well it has been 9 years since my injury and i’m not sure how I feel about that, it seems fast but also seems like a lifetime ago. I have finally moved after what feels like forever of wondering where I would go. This has forced me to go through boxes that were packed at the time of my accident, boxes I put away and never wanted to go through. Any note I hand wrote I want to keep, remembering how simple and easy it once was to write a letter. Time to say goodbye to the camera gear, the surfboards, the snowboard, the camping gear… memories from a different life, and now it is time to “Marie Kondo” this stuff, thank these items for the joy they brought me and let them go. Saying goodbye to my truck was especially hard, and it’s so silly to be attached to a truck but it represented so much more, it’s time to let that go too. Letting these things go and moving on does make me feel better, it’s ok, everything will be fine, just different. It has been 9 years! It’s time...

With all the distractions from the move it has been hard to focus on my body but everyday I make sure I get standing, stretch it out and try to breathe. It has almost been 6 months since the move, I still don’t have a bathroom sink (and had 2 months with no indoor shower!) but I nearly have my greenhouse turned gym put back together and my dream cottage is finally feeling like home. 

This was a long process and took the help of many to make my new place accessible. I couldn’t have done it without the people who donated to my fundraiser last fall for my home modifications and to these generous people: Travis Roy foundation, my family (especially my dad), Big Sur River Inn, Eric Arnett, Tevye Morgenrath, Travis Trapkus, Belleci plumbing, Cordrey construction, Jenkins plastering, Kendra Morgenrath, Lyra Ordjonikidze, Aengus Wagner, Cyrus Bell, Kodiak Greenwood, Myles Lerner, Blaze Engineering, Will Drew, Jon Hyland, Alex Short, Cody Kenyon, Rob Acosta, Lyle Southall, Andy Perez, Dakota Michelson and many many more. Thank you!

Back in May I had the amazing opportunity to work with Apple. They came down and wrote an article about me and my iPhone photography. You can read that HERE. In July I saw Hamilton in San Francisco, it was amazing! In September we celebrated 10 years at Gallery Exposed, the gallery Evynn LeValley and I opened in 2009, a year before my injury and I recently just returned from a trip down to LA to visit my best friend and her beautiful growing family. I am grateful for these new memories and I cherish the old. Life continues on, in every unexpected way that it can... BE THE LIGHT.

To make a donation to my ongoing care and rehab you can send a check to:

Rachael Short SNT

PO Box 6445

Carmel, California 93921

or donate online at:

https://relayforrachael.com/

Thank you for being the light!

9th Annual Relay for Rachael wrap up!

People often ask how do you do it? How do you keep going everyday?

I do it because thankfully I have the support that allows me to. For me there was never another option, I do it because I am here and I am going to do the best I can. I do it because I don’t know any other way. I do it because I want to gain back as much movement as possible. To me it is a silly question because I will never give up. I am running this marathon called “journey back from paralysis” to the very end.

My biggest obstacle is finding caregivers and trainers who can keep up with me! I work hard everyday and I need the help of many to get me through my days. My relay/marathon annual fundraiser helps me pay everyone who helps me daily. Currently I employ 5 caregivers and 4 trainers! It really is a full time job advocating for myself and finding the help I need daily to become stronger. I understand why people give up, it is really hard work and cost a lot of money. By the end of the day I am exhausted and I am constantly worried about finances. The relay for Rachael eases the financial stress and motivates me to KEEP PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER EVERYDAY. Thank you for BEing my light.

Friday Night Pasta Dinner

These people work behind the scenes
and help me get my movement daily!
Thank You!

My Marathoners!

Thank You to the Treadmill
for always hooking up my winning team with new shoes!
Congratulations Team Nepenthe!
(even though Kodiak beat all the teams!)

Kendra ran her first marathon!

Kodiak finally got a new pair of shoes
after wearing these for three marathons!

Aengus after marathon number 8!

The world needs more people like this girl,
Thank You Daniella  for the best care!

After race BBQ! Thanks runners!

9th annual relay for Rachael

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

I wouldn’t be where I am today without this annual fundraiser to help pay for my ongoing care and rehab. There are many in my situation who are not as fortunate and I am so thankful that I can get up and moving everyday.  Every year I get a little stronger and every year gets a little easier.

 This year I have 25 runners training hard and getting ready to hit Highway 1 on Sunday, April 28th.  I am forever grateful for their support and yours. Please go to Relay for Rachael for more information on how to donate.