Myron Wright is a Nicholls student who is currently far away from Nicholls. He is in the middle of a long and trying path to being able to walk once again. Wright is now involved in Project Walk in San Diego, Calif., a non-profit organization which helps those with spinal cord injuries through “intense exercise-based recovery programs, education, support and encouragement.”
Wright shared some of his physical progress since he’s been in Project Walk.
“Since I’ve been there, my legs and arms have gotten stronger,” Wright said. “I can’t take any steps yet, but I’m getting closer and closer. They’re willing to put in the time and effort to help you fulfill that goal and help you be more independent.”
Project Walk receives patients from around the world. Wright says he has met people from Norway, China and India in the program. Wright was able to get to San Diego through the joined efforts of the fraternities and sororities on campus, which collected donations through fundraising events, including a dance.
Wright is joined in San Diego by his mom and sister. When they first arrived, they had no furniture. With the help of a local church in the city, they were able to get furniture donated to them.
Since his time in Project Walk, Wright is spoken at local elementary and high schools about his experience. He also speaks about how to avoid becoming paralyzed.
Wright was severely injured in a football game at the age of sixteen. The injury involved a fractured vertebra in his spine, which caused his immobility.
“It wasn’t a hard contact hit but I got pushed from the back,” Wright says. “While I was off balance, I was hit from the front and my head snapped back.”
Wright is returning to Louisiana Nov. 12, and plans to take part in several fundraisers to continue his rehabilitation.
The Beta Club at Thibodaux High will be hosting a benefit car wash Oct. 11 at Community Bank on Canal Boulevard from 1-4 p.m.
Other fundraisers planned include a car wash Nov. 11, a walk-a-thon Nov. 15 and a banquet to be set for January.
The planned walk-a-thon has a limited number of sponsors due to the disruption of the recent hurricanes. T-shirts will be sold in hopes of securing donations lacked from sponsor support.
Wright hopes to be back at Nicholls soon to continue his education in business management.
“I’ll probably be back in January. I know everyone wants to see me again,” Wright says. “I know my education is important.”
Until Wright returns, he has goals that he wants to accomplish.
“I work two hours a day, four days out of the week,” Wright says. “I’m just working on getting as much movement as I can.
