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I am 28 years old and married to my beautiful wife Suzie (who just happened to be my physical therapist when I was injured.) I was born in Manassas, VA. My family and I moved to Kill Devil Hills, NC (AKA The Outer Banks) when I was 8 years old. I absolutely loved it down there, in fact, some of my greatest memories come from when I was living there and being able to enjoy the beach.

My parents were divorced when I was 12 years old and my mother remarried my stepfather, who was living in Franklin, VA. When I was 14 my mother, little sister, and I moved to Franklin, where I finished high school at Franklin high school. I graduated high school in 1997 and went on to college at Radford University in Virginia. I arrived at RU at the age of 17 years old and joined an off-campus fraternity, Sigma Pi Sigma, my first semester there. I was also a big brother to the sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha.

After my first year of being at RU I was well on my way to being kicked out of school due to my choices to party as a first priority over my education. To make a long story short I ended up being suspended from Radford, due to a 0.8 GPA. After a full summer at basic training in Fort Benning, GA, I became a member of the Army National Guard. I then returned to New River Community College where I substantially raised my GPA to a 3.0 and I was re-accepted into RU.

Things were going well until I had what I call 'My Ultimate Learning Experience' in which I was involved in a alcohol-related accident which left me paralyzed from about the shoulders down. I am a c5-c6 complete quadriplegic. After rehab, I went back to school and completed my Undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts, and received a Master's degree in Community Counseling and Human Development.

My Mother and I founded The Chris Skinner Organization in 2001, and ever since I have spent my time dedicated toward my passion of Public speaking to middle schools, high schools, colleges, and anyone else that has an interest in hearing the presentation (See website www.chrisskinner.org). Life has turned a full circle in which I give full credit to Jesus Christ! Things do get really hard at times, but I try to live by my mantra, which is stated in my headline, "The task ahead of you, is never as great, as the power within you." I believe that we as human beings can accomplish anything as long as we put our heart, mind, and soul 110% behind whatever we are trying to accomplish.

I am paralyzed and to be totally honest I really can't stand it. It is hard knowing and understanding all the blessings that life presents to us and not being able to utilize all of the physical blessings I always thought I would use. I tell you though it is even more frustrating being around and watching my friends, family, and society in general take for granted all of the many blessings we are given by grace alone.

Life is good, and always will be if we can continue to keep a positive perspective and attitude towards whatever we face. This is who I am and this is what I am made up of. I am made of the same things that everyone else in this world is made up of and that is skin, blood, and bones.

I believe we must make our decisions and choices wisely all day, every day, knowing that each decision could possibly have a lasting impact on our lives. Today I am excited about being 28, married with twins, living in an awesome house, and most importantly that I am alive and breathing. Life is precious, and it goes by fast! I want to make the very best of it! What about you?