Gold-Plated Attitude
By Mike Schlappi

Happy Schlappi! That is what they called me during my early years. Yes, Sometimes I had a bad day, but for the most part I had a bounce in my step. I had an incredible family – three brothers and three sisters - and a very bright future – especially in sports. And then everything suddenly changed.

“BAANNNGG!” The bullet tore a massive hole through my shirt, ripped through my chest and lung, brushed past my heart, and slammed into my backbone. Causing me to instantly lose the feeling and movement in most of my 14 - year old body. With limited oxygen and scared to death, my thoughts turned toward God and my family as I observed the nervous reactions of my friend.

“Quit it! You’re faking it!” my friend screamed, while at the same time throwing his father’s police gun toward the corner of the room. Although in shock and needing someone’s help, I had a sincere concern for the feelings of my friend who had made a terrible mistake. He called for help and finally my mother arrived. Her touch and her love gave me confidence to hang on.

The next three months in rehabilitation gave me ample time to wonder, worry, and reflect. I worried about the future. Would my friends accept me if I was confined to a wheelchair? Why would God deny me my dreams? Sometimes, I couldn’t wait for the nurse to show up with my next pain pill to take away the “phantom pains” in my legs and the “real pains” in my mind. I went deep inside of myself for the first time and had to decide whether or not I wanted to go on. One evening I thought I would attempt to bring some clarity to my confused thoughts in the form of a poem titled “The Things We’ve Lost”

The things we’ve lost are the things we love.
If we live good lives we can regain them above.
Why things happen, God only knows
And, what is planned for us, time only shows.
But while we are waiting to find our spot
We’ve got to start working with what we’ve got.
We can take it easy or do the best we can
That shows the difference between a boy and a man.
The path may be rugged and the mountain steep
What we learn here is ours to keep.
Where are vision stops is not the end
There is a whole new world just around the bend.
When there is nothing but troubles 
And everything is wrong
Stiffen your mind and stand all the more strong.
We were sent to this earth to take our test
So the Lord can find the good and the best.
If we live the gospel and keep on trying
Before we know it, we will be in Zion.
So when all is lost you have still got love
From your family, your friends and your father above.

I received a lot of physical and occupational therapy from wonderful professionals. Even so, my greatest therapy was that which I gave myself. I called it Attitude Therapy. I began to retrain my brain to focus on the things I had left and not the things I had lost. During these daily doses of attitude therapy, I meditated and developed what I referred to as Bulletproof Principles. These principles have been tested and have convinced me that pain and adversity can be our friends. I believe the following statement:

Tell me about a man who has won the lottery, then about a man who has broken his back, and you still haven’t told me anything about either man’s happiness.
-Anonymous

We all have moments of impact in our lives. We must make the decision to give up or go forward. I am glad I went on. The journey has been rewarding. I am married to an incredible person and we have five unique children. I am independent. I have been fortunate to compete and earn medals in wheelchair basketball in four consecutive Paralympic Games. The thrill of traveling the world, sharing my philosophies and inspiring others has truly brought my disability full circle.

“TWO-THIRDS OF MY BODY IS PARALYZED -BUT TWO THIRDS OF MY DREAMS WILL NEVER BE PARALYZE