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Poem by Renee Springhorne

Who Is Carl Riccio?

My name is Carl Riccio and I am from Warren, New Jersey. I recently graduated from Villanova University and am looking forward to attending law school in the fall. I grew up in a large, sports oriented family. For the first 17 years of my life, my goals and aspirations mostly revolved around athletics. I became a state champion in wrestling, and in my favorite sport of baseball I was awarded a position on the Junior Preseason All-American Baseball Team. It was very gratifying to feel I was on track to reach my life long goal of playing professional baseball.

On February 22, 2003, something happened in a split second that forever changed the course of my life. I suffered a severe spinal cord injury (SCI) while competing in a high school wrestling match. The injury rendered me a quadriplegic. After my injury, I realized that I had to redirect my life, rethink my goals, and take a different path toward success. I met many people with similar injuries to mine. Some were beaten, and felt that their lives were over. To watch this happen to another human being is a life changing experience. I don’t know why I have been given the ability to go on striving for success despite my physical challenges, but I do know that in itself makes me a lucky man...

Read all of Carl's letter including details on the documentary and how you can help.

From The Message Board

  • "Hey Carl, It's been too long since the last time I spoke with you but I just read your Pop's most recent posting on your blog and, while over the years I've been an avid reader of the updates you and your father send out, I've never posted on this before. This time around though, I just had to... My family and I just have to tell you that we are not only proud but tremendously happy to read how your perseverance, determination and will-power have prevailed for both you and your entire family. I can not even fathom and begin to comprehend the ups and downs you and your family have been through but what I can tell you is that the strength you possess, has clearly been passed along to each member of your family. Pretty amazing to read how when life threw you one hell of a curve ball you didn't simply look at it go by for strike three but rather, you stood back, with patience and conviction, and took it the other way for not just a hit, but what seems like a home-run. (Yes, I had to throw in a baseball analogy of course, only way people like us can truly understand stuff) Compliments on approaching the end of your second year of Seton Hall Law School by the way. From what my cousin tells me, it definitely isn't a walk in the park, so I can't even imagine the work-load and most importantly the READING. I wouldn't be surprised if you've ran into him (Armando Suarez) on campus or even in class. Best regards Carl to you and your family and tell your Poppa Dukes to keep his head up cause he, without a doubt, has a whole lot to be proud of. The "koolest" thing though to keep in mind about everything you've accomplished is that this is really just the beginning. The real good stuff has yet to even come. Scary thought, I know. "Whatever it takes, whatever works... To each their own; Live the Dream" Carl. Keep up the good work and never give up, never surrender. At the end of the day, it'll all be well worth it. Talk2ya big guy."
    - Carlos Suarez
    2/14/2010
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© 2006 Carl Riccio Special Needs Trust