Get motivated
We all have our “off” days in the gym. Even the most dedicated of gym rats will find an excuse to blow off a workout every now and then. Let’s face it. Who’s not guilty of slacking off in spin class because of a sore knee, a little ache or pain, or maybe excess fatigue brought on by staying out too late the night before? I’ve pretty much heard every excuse in the book including, “I can’t make it to the gym. I feel too fat today.” (What’s up with that?)
Well, if you’re reading this right now, I’m guessing that you’re looking for a little motivation. Something extra special to get you through one of your “off” days. This should do it…
No excuses
The first time I spotted Jimmy Hebert in the gym was New Year’s Day 2008. He was pulling himself out of his wheelchair onto a bench to wrap up his chest workout. He then hoisted himself back into his wheelchair and moved onto the cable curl machine to start on biceps. I commented to a friend that it was inspiring to see him in the gym so early on New Year’s Day (especially when the majority of the population was still in bed recovering from a night of partying from the night before).
But not Jimmy. He had set a goal for himself, and Tuesday was a regular workout day for him. It didn’t really matter that it was New Year’s Day. Jimmy made a resolution long before the first of January to get his body back in shape, and the accident that put him in a wheelchair was to be no excuse.
Something in common
When I first approached Jimmy to discuss writing this article, I learned that we had a lot in common. Along with a passion for working out and a taste for rock music (especially Lynyrd Skynyrd), we also shared a weakness for Cookies ‘N Cream ice cream! But on an even more personal level, I found that we both had gone through similar grueling physical therapy to recover from accidents. We both had our accidents in the month of September. My accident was in 1985, and Jimmy’s accident occurred in 1986. I thought about the significance and realized that my long road to recovery had ended at just about the exact time that Jimmy’s journey was about to begin.
But I was one of the lucky ones. My injuries were not permanent, and I regained my ability to walk in a year’s time. Jimmy’s injuries are permanent, and he has been paralyzed since the night of his accident over 20 years ago.
What happened
Jimmy was 17-years-old when he was involved in an accident while he was riding his motorcycle down route 44 in Smithfield on the Johnston line, just in front of where the Paint Bucket used to be. He doesn’t remember a whole lot about the initial details of the accident, but he recalls pain in his foot and ankle. He also recalls being upset that the paramedics had to cut off his brand new “Members Only” jacket. (Funny how we remember the little details when such a trauma has occurred!)
Jimmy’s injuries were life threatening, and he almost died even though he was wearing a helmet. He recalls being given his last rites in the hospital. His back was broken, his gallbladder had to be removed, and tubes were inserted into his sides to repair his collapsed lungs. He was also unable to breathe on his own and was placed on a ventilator. When he finally pulled through, he learned that he was paralyzed from the knees down. He also suffered some paralysis in his lower spine area. He went through months of physical therapy and surgeries to rebuild his broken body. When he was finally released from the hospital, he was faced with the realization that he would never walk again.
His life before
Prior to the accident, Jimmy always had people comment about the size of his legs. “Like tree trunks,” he said. As Jimmy recalls, “I rode a bicycle everywhere. I had very muscular legs, and I was the fastest runner in school. I lifted weights at the gym, and my favorite exercise was squatting.” Jimmy enjoyed his youth. He got together with his buddies, and they would ride their motorcycles together. Jimmy rode a black Ninja 1000R that had red pinstripes. He had a good time checking out the action at the local hot spots in town when he went out riding with the guys.
His life now
Jimmy feels fortunate to be alive, and he’s thankful that he is able to live independently. He’s had to deal with some medical issues such as infections in his legs, but he doesn’t let it get him down. He wants people to know that he lives his life like everyone else.
Jimmy’s a single dad, and he has been raising his 13-year-old son, Brandon, on his own since Brandon was six-months-old. He enjoys being a “soccer dad,” never missing a game. He owns his own home and gets around better than most people. (By the way, his home is immaculate, and his yard is meticulous!) He has a garage full of modified “toys” that get him around, including a cool UTV that he takes to the power lines in Smithfield to go four-wheeling. He also manages to get himself to the gym seven days a week and has a goal to shape up and lose weight. He’s already lost 55 pounds on Weight Watchers and wants to lose another 15 pounds.
Jimmy had a special hand cycle built and enjoys riding it on the Lincoln bike path. It’s not as fast as the one he rode when he could walk, but it still gives him the same thrill and taste of freedom that he enjoyed over 20 years ago. The cycle was built by a guy named Scott Pellett, founder of Bike-on.com, who Jimmy describes as “unbelievable…I really admire this guy because he changed my life. Now, I can ride a bike with my son. For that, I am truly thankful to Scott.”
In addition to the admiration he has for Scott, Jimmy also mentioned two other very important people in his life who he admires: “My mother has been there for me every step of the way…I couldn’t have come this far without her. She was always by my side, helping me through everything, especially in the beginning. And I admire my son, Brandon. He’s such a good kid. He’s my buddy. He has had to deal with a lot of things that most kids never would see in their lifetime...But because I’m in a wheelchair, he’s had to deal with it, and I admire him for it. He’s my best friend and the best son a guy could ever ask for. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
Not much different at all
Though Jimmy will live the rest of his life in a wheelchair, he doesn’t feel sorry for himself. In fact, he doesn’t consider himself to be special and wants YOU to understand that he’s not much different at all. He has his challenges just like everyone else. He just takes his challenges sitting down. He’s gotten accustomed to people coming up to him and offering their help. He really doesn’t need the help, but he doesn’t turn people down because he doesn’t want to offend them. But truth be told, he’s a regular guy, and he’s living his life like you and me. He goes out, he likes hanging out at Effin’s, he has a good time, and he loves being a Dad. And yes, he loves working out at the gym, which he describes as his therapy!
So stop and think about it. The next time you decide to blow off the gym because you stayed out partying late the night before or are “not in the mood” or “feeling too fat” or claim to be “too tired,” think about Jimmy and consider this your wake-up call!
A message from GymChick
I met Jimmy for lunch at Effin’s in Smithfield to write this story. We hung out there for most of the day and shot a lot of pictures. We had a good time checking out all the Harleys, and even though he’s paralyzed from a motorcycle accident, Jimmy said he’d jump on a Harley Fat Boy in a minute given the chance. (I hope he invites me to ride with him!) By the way, even though the place was jammed with some of the best looking Harleys around, just as many people were checking out Jimmy’s hand cycle, so check out the photos! You can get more information on hand cycles designed by Scott Pellett at Bike-on.com or email info@bike-on.com (phone number: 1-888-424-5366).
Jimmy’s workout
Jimmy goes to the gym seven days a week and works out one body part a day. He also rides his hand cycle whenever he can to stay in shape. His favorite exercise is shoulders. When I asked him his least favorite exercise, his wicked sense of humor shines through—“Legs are my least favorite!” (Good one, Jim!)
Bet ya didn’t know...Jimmy used to be a bouncer at the old Shooters in Providence. (Yes, he was in a wheelchair but still held his own!) Check out Jimmy’s video. I’ve set it to a Lynyrd Skynyrd song that reminds me of him. This one’s for you Jimmy!
Check out Access 2 Adventure at www.access2adventure.net. This local organization is dedicated to people with disabilities and offers a variety of programs to keep them active and physically fit. Contact them at (401) 835-2959 or email info@access2adventure.net