When Longview resident Judie Moffett was 25 years old, she awoke in a cold hospital bed. Her family stood by her side as the doctors gave her the news that she would no longer walk. The one-vehicle car accident she was in just four days before had left Judie a T-4 paraplegic, with punctured lungs, a broken back and a shard of glass in her skull.
Now 14 years later, Judie, a single mother of one, can look back on that moment with a smile.
"I look at my situation as a blessing all across the board; there's no way I'd have the opportunities I've had to do the things I've done or meet the people I've met had I not been in that accident," Judie said. "These doors would have never opened for me. I believe I can touch a lot more people from sitting in this chair than just walking around."
The accident
Judie believes the accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down was meant to be. It was her fate in life.
"It sounds strange, I know, but when I woke up from (my unconcious state) and the doctors told me I'd never walk again, I just accepted it," she said. "At some point everyone has to grieve ... I mean, I lost my two best friends — my legs. But I had to make a choice: move forward or get depressed and play the blame game. Life is too good to complain about things. God is a good God."
Despite any initial frustration, she smiled her contagious smile and pressed on. Doctors encouraged Judie and her family to look into putting Judie in a nursing home, but her mother put her foot down. Her parents wanted to stay true to Judie's desires and wants, and new that what Judie wanted more than anything to re-learn and transition into this new phase in her life on her own.
"My mom said, 'There is no way my daughter is going to be in a nursing home before I am!' " Judie said.
And with that, Judie and her family left the hospital and traveled to Texarkana, where Judie went through a rigorous 6-week training at a reputable rehabilitation facility.
"It was like boot camp! The doctors and nurses kicked the training into high gear there, working with me on things like manipulating my wheelchair," Judie said. "They offered constant encouragement and really motivated me."
She left inspired and felt her independence coming back, which Judie said is a very important feeling for someone with disabilities.
"Knowing I can do things on my own is a real confidence booster," she said. "Isn't it for everyone?"
The organization
In 1997, Judie and two "wheeler" friends formed a non-profit organization called POWER, Inc. (People On Wheels Encouraging Responsibility), but she'll be the first to tell you that the phrase "support group" is taboo.
"I hate those words, because it makes it sound like we're a group that gets together over a box of Kleenex to share sob stories," she said. "It's actually just the opposite — we wanted to get a little group together with people in similar circumstances in life to go bowling or out to eat."
Their "little" group grew ... and grew. Today, POWER, Inc. spans eight East Texas counties, with too many members to fathom. Their purpose is to enable independence for people with disabilities through advocacy, education and recreational fun. The group also donates medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and shower benches, to people in need.
"Responsibility is a big word, and it encompasses everyone," Judie said. "We all have a responsibility to ourselves and to others to enlighten and encourage those around us any way we can. POWER, Inc. is just another way to do that. We offer peership — if we hear about someone who needs resources, a friend or just someone to talk to, we try to be there for him or her."
The event
For several years, the group has hosted The East Texas Sports Fest for People with Disabilities at Lake Gladewater. The event is an all-day recreational affair, and includes land and water activities such as handcycling and water skiing. Judie encourages people to come out and participate this year on Saturday, September 27 from 10 am to 4 pm.
"It's a fun event for all ages, family and friends. We can always use volunteers to help out," she said. "If you're a parent of or a caregiver for a person with disabilities, or a student in physical or occupational therapy, come out. The more, the merrier."
But, she says, prepare to be enlightened.
"You won't even believe how enlightening this opportunity really is. You get to help people with disablities enjoy life just a little bit more," Judie said. "It's infectious. Anyone who comes always comes back the next year. To see these kids' faces as they try out their first water sport is an unbelievable experience. They realize in that moment that they CAN do things like this, and that's a good feeling."
For more information, please visit http://www.powerincorporated.org/
