A journey through 2008

On February 5, 2008, a tornado blistered through the campus of Union University, destroying nearly everything, and leaving the campus in complete ruin. David Wilson, along with six other boys, were trapped under a collapsed building known as Watters Commons. For five hours, David sat, unable to move his body, and waited for the rescue team to find him. After removing the 21 feet of concrete and rubbel that was above David, the frantically digging firefighters were able to reach him and pull him out. Once in the ambulance, it was clear that the injuries were very serious, and that immediate action was required if David's legs were to be saved.

David suffered severe kidney failure, and also crush injuries on nearly every muscle from the waste down. After many trips to the Operating room, countless trips to the Dialysis Laboratory, and many other tactical procedures, David's body is returning to normal again. His spirit and attitude are a living testimony to the faith that he possesses, and it is by that faith that each morning, he gets up, puts his crutches on his arms, and decides to make the best of every day given him. He knows the importance of living life to the fullest, because he knows that all it takes is a gust of wind to completely turn someone's life upside down.

Go ahead, ask the burning question: "Will David ever play soccer again?" The question is not ours to answer. There is obviously somebody bigger, somebody in complete control, who has a greater plan for David's life than just kicking a ball around a field. If David was to make a difference in the world through his soccer abilities, don't you think he would still be wearing that Union jersey on gamedays? Sure he would love to play again, but David is smart enough to realize that there must be a bigger plan for his life.
Will he heal enough physically to be able to make a choice about playing again? We can only hope so; and if we don't hope for things, then why wake up every morning and face the uncertainty of the world in which we live? Go out into the world, take on new challenges, and live life to the fullest, just as David Wilson has done since February 5th left the star soccer player in a compressed space with 21 feet of concrete on top of him.