John’s Story (New Jersey)

My name is John Isaacs. I am 59 years old. At the age of 16 I was in an automobile accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury – c6 fraction dislocation. I feel I am luckier then most people that incur the same injury. I recovered to an incomplete quad and for many years was able to get around with wearing a short leg brace on my left leg and walking with a cane. I have a spastic body from the chest down. When I reached my fifties I had to be fitted for a long leg brace and hop around with a walker and use a scooter for distance. I have always had a fierce determination and a will to accomplice. I went to college and earned a BA degree with a major in accounting. I recently retired from the State of New Jersey, Division of Taxation where I worked as a corpoation business tax auditor for twenty-five years. I recently had my book, Myths, Legends, History & Me…101 Poems, released. Samples of my work can be found at http://www.101tales.com. I have always accepted my disability for what it is and moved forward. The world is not about anyone person. All of us is a part of existence and have a part to play. I have been given the gift of going outside of myself and seeing things for what they are. I have never thought to much about my limitations, I have just moved forward. A lot slower then an able person; but I’ve gotten there. I believe disability is in the mind, not the body.