MGoBlue Article on Mealer/Barwis

Submitted by UMAmaizinBlue on

MGoBlue has a great article looking back at the Mealer/Barwis saga 5 years after Brock's famous 1% walk. I can't believe it's been 5 years, but I can certainly remember my emotions that day in the stadium being on full display. Some powerful motivation to be found in the article, including:

Barwis first met Mealer in February 2008, when he joined several Wolverine coaches who were visiting him at University of Michigan Hospital and found him prone in a bed, paralyzed from the waist down and "just busted up in every way," said Barwis. He looked Brock in the eye with a startling challenge.

"Mike cut to the chase," said Brock. "He said, 'So, when are you going to come work with us so we can get you up and out of that wheelchair?' Now, that's a hell of a thing to say to somebody who was told what I had been told, that I wouldn't walk again.


LINK

Steve in PA

August 31st, 2015 at 3:18 PM ^

The daughter of family friends recently fell and is now paralyzed from the waist down. She's in her mid/late 20's and as you can imagine the parents are quite upset. It happened the same day as the other child's graduation party, but in another state.

I shared the Mealer story with them last week as well as some links to Barwis' site/foundation. He's doing a lot of this sort of work now.

I firmly believe that paralysis wont be a permanent condition in the not so distant future.

TherealFlintwo…

August 31st, 2015 at 3:18 PM ^

Maybe someone can help me but when on my android phone I get pop ups and then my phone goes to a screen saying my phone is infected and I better click OK. Which I know not to do. Anyone else have problems like this?

Ihatebux

August 31st, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^

BTW, if anyone is looking for some place to watch the Oregon St game, Haley Mealer is organizing a 5th Anniversary 1% Day tailgate party at Barwis' gym in Plymouth to watch the game.   $20 buy admission, a t-shirt and some amount of beer.   Get to meet Barwis, Brock, Haley, etc. 

Here's the info if anyone is interested

 
In 2010, Brock Mealer walked to the 50-yard line at U of M Football’s home opener—steps that he had been told he had less than a 1% chance of taking again after being paralyzed in a car accident on Christmas Eve of 2007. Brock was able to regain the Power to Move with the help of Mike Barwis (former U of M football Strength & Conditioning Coach), through Neurological Reengineering™ and the Injury Recovery Program at Barwis Methods. On September 12, 2015, the day of this year’s U of M Football home opener and the 5 year anniversary of Brock’s inspiring walk to midfield, First Step Foundation, First Steppers, friends, and supporters will celebrate the Power to Move. Join 1% Day by purchasing a limited edition shirt, attending our UM football viewing party on 9/12, donating to our fundraising drive and sharing 1% Day! All proceeds benefit the First Step Foundation. http://www.barwismethods.com/#!1-day/c6y5



Getting involved with 1% Day helps the First Step Foundation, a 501(c)(3). The First Step Foundation helps individuals with spinal cord injuries, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Muscular Sclerosis (MS), and many other disorders affecting the neuromuscular system gain access to the Barwis Methods injury recovery program when traditional therapy hasn't worked and/or insurance has run out.

 

LabattsBleu

September 1st, 2015 at 12:44 AM ^

Really happy to hear about Barwis and the Mealers.

Though the RR era was unsuccessful, hearing about Barwis and how he continues to help others in similar situations like Brock's, is definitely a ray of sunshine.

Really happy for the guy and the good work he is doing