My story of survival

Hi there! I am Chris and I am a brain tumor survivor. Yes, there are others and the number is growing by the day. But, not many of them can say they have survived for 42 years! To do that, you have to survive at a young age, which I did, at only ten months. My family noticed I was staring, I was looking off into space and then passing out. It was seizures. And, those seizures came with migraines. There was memory loss, there was lethargy, there was weakness, there was slow development.

For 15 years, I struggled. I gave in to the fact that I was slower, that I just would not be able to measure up. Then, I made up my mind that "No!! This is not how it would be! I am the author of my story, I am the one in control, I am the one who can decide my fate." Well, me and God, of course!

When I was 15, I told my diagnosis "No!" I told my history "No!" I told them both that things were going to change. I may not be everybody's normal, but I am not writing everyone else's story. I am writing mine. And, when I was 15, I changed the ending. When I was 15, I made up my mind to trust God fully. I made up my mind to give my story to Him and let Him author it with me. And, I was going to do everything in my power to change how my story was going.

You see, before my epiphany and change of mindset, I was allowing myself to be a victim. But, now, with my renewed confidence and determination, I am a victor!

When I was told that I could not play football because I could not take a hit to the head, I grabbed the water bottles. I became the team manager. And, when our team went on to win the state championship, guess who was on the team. I was on the team because I made up my mind that I could be okay with a new normal. I took control of my story! I took my history, my diagnosis and everyone else's thoughts and put them away. I was the one who could decide how I wanted this to end. And, for me, it ended with being a champion on the football field.

Since then, that dream has multiplied. Seven state championships, thirty four region championships and multiple blessings and friends and family in between. Thirty-two years later, we are still writing that story.

Fifth, sixth and seventh grades all nearly ended in failure. My diagnosis was one thing, but the main culprit was my lax attitude and my laziness. I was the one causing my failure. Not my tumor, which was gone. Not my family, who was supporting me. Not anyone else, but me. The key to overcoming to know who you are overcoming. And, my number one enemy in this case myself. I could do better. I was created for better. And, I could change it. Starting in ninth grade, I did. I began to put forth the effort that my studies deserved, that I deserved and that everyone who loved me and fought for my deserved. Mainly, it was for my God who created me and who died for me. He gave me His everything. And, I was determined now to give him nothing less.

One verse that changed my life was Colossians 3:23. "In all that you do, do it wholeheartedly, as though working for the Lord and not for earthly masters". If I am going to do for Him, I am going to do it all out.

I graduated high school with honors, was the Outstanding Student in my college class and graduated college and work as a Physical Therapist. My work demands a lot of me, but I am giving it. Because, my patients deserve it and so do my co-workers.

I have been blessed with a wife and a wonderful son. I will give everything I have to being his daddy and her husband. Because, so much has been given to me. I was given a second chance at life, and then a third when I gave up my victim mentality to become a victor and follow Christ. No championship will ever mean more than that.

My wife and I started a mission where we give Bibles to cancer hospitals and other areas of need all over the country. My mission is to share my story, to share where I have been and what I have overcome and to encourage others to do the same. That may not be what this platform is for, but it is what my life platform is for and it is what I will live for.

Everyone is going through a struggle. That struggle probably had a start that you will never forget, Make sure your story and ending is one people will never forget too. You have a choice every single day. You can choose to lay back and watch the day go by. Or, you can choose to take it head on. You decide every day if your obstacles will overwhelm you, or if you will take control and clear whatever hurdle is in your path.

Pick up your Bible. Read it! Draw inspiration. I promise the good Lord will lead you to the words He would have you to read for that day and He will feed you exactly what you need. He will also provide you whatever you need to get through that obstacle. If you think He does not understand, I challenge you to try Him. When He was on the cross, He thought of you and He knew on this day that you would read this, that you would need Him and He is already waiting with the answer. It may not be the answer your expect, but it is there. And, it is for His glory, not ours. But, oh what love and what peace awaits if you do.

I am a survivor! Because of Him, because He was patient with me and because He saved me from the world and from myself, I can share with others. I love you, I pray for you and if we do not get to share our stories of survival here, we will celebrate them together one day as ultimate victors!