Life has many challenges. We face obstacles every day. While they may seem overwhelming, we somehow survive them. We learn from the many difficulties thrown our way so next time, we’re prepared.
But there are just some things in life that we are unable to prepare ourselves for.
Janne Kouri was given such an obstacle on August 5, 2006.
It was a beautiful and sunny day on the west coast. He and some friends were playing beach volleyball. Everything was perfect.
In between games, Kouri went to the water to cool off in the shallow waves. At one point, he dove into the water. Immediately after, he couldn’t move.
He may not have known it at the time, but the inability to move wouldn’t be a temporary feeling.
He was paralyzed.
As the waves crashed over him, he didn’t think he was going to make it out alive. Fortunately, an off-duty EMT saw him and pulled him from the water.
It was at the hospital that the love of his life, Susan, was told the devasting news.
“She looked me right in the eye and said, ‘you need to be prepared for him to never to walk again.’ And walked away. I will never forget that.”
To many, it might have been difficult to fathom Janne, being paralyzed. After all, he was a 6’4″, 285 pound, former star defensive tackle for Georgetown University. He seemed invincible.
But the reality was grim.
Janne ended up spending two months in intensive care and nearly died twice from pneumonia.
Through it all, Susan never left his side.
“I promised him that as long as his heart and mind stayed the same, that I would love him.”
As Janne regained his health, the couple learned about Dr. Susan Harkema in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Harkema was working on a specialized therapy called locomotor training.
Locomotor training teaches the spinal cord how to control motor functions, like walking, through repetitive motion.
Christopher Reid was one of her first test subjects.
She stated, “The spinal cord is very sophisticated. It can make decisions. Remember. Forget.”
Janne says the first day he attended therapy, he was put on the treadmill.
“I passed out in seven seconds,” he admitted.
But within days, he progressed to fifteen minutes and before he knew it, an hour! About two months later, he was able to wiggle one of his toes.
It was all he needed to regain his confidence.
He, with the help of Dr. Harkema, the Christopher and Dana Reid foundation, and family and friends, they opened Next Step, in Los Angeles.
Next Step is an affordable non-profit rehab and fitness facility for those with paralysis.
Clearly, Janne was making great strides in his journey. A year and a half after the accident, he and Susan married.
“She sacrificed a lot. I’m blessed she’s an incredible woman and a wonderful wife,” he said holding back tears.
He didn’t stop there. Three years after being told that he had no hope of recovery, Janne was able to walk with a walker.
Then, five years after his accident, he was able to stand!
It was in this moment of realization that Janne did a selfless act. He asked Susan if she would dance with him to their wedding song, “Better Together,” since they weren’t able to do so during their wedding.
Susan happily obliged and the two danced in marital bliss.
When asked what it was like standing again on his own for the first time since the accident, his answer was simple.
“I forget how tall I was.”
What an inspiring story. If you’d like to donate to Next Step, you can do so here!
You can watch Janne’s story below!
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