Inspire, Fall/Winter 2008

Cedarville University 17 my cedarv i l le the C1 and C2 vertebrae, paralyzing me immediately and cutting off my air supply. I’ve been told that my friend rushed over, and I mouthed, “I can’t breathe.” By the grace of God, not only was our team leader a former paramedic, but a doctor was also at the camp that day, loaded up with medical supplies. In total, three paramedics, two doctors, and the camp nurse were on site. They were able to sustain my breathing until the ambulance came, and we then drove the hour and a half to a Puebla hospital. I spent three days there, and then Cedarville provided for a medical flight to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I was at Northwestern for two weeks before being transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where I stayed for four and a half months. Before the accident, I didn’t know anything about spinal cord injuries. Everyone in my family had always been healthy. So, in my mind, I just couldn’t wait to get better. I wanted to play drums and get involved in sports again. And though I slowly started to realize how serious the situation was, it still took awhile to sink in. I guess I was numb to it. I started wrestling with God about what had happened. All my head knowledge of Him remained — I knew this wasn’t punishment and He wasn’t abandoning me, but it still felt that way. When I’d see pictures of myself or think back to before the accident, I couldn’t stop from crying. I asked God, “Why?” I believed I was being an effective tool for Him before, so why would He allow this to happen now? I had no desire to have anything to do with God. In fact, I wanted to punish Him. I did not want to give Him the satisfaction of my time. Into the Light Those were dark days, but God never gave up on me. Over time, I could see how patient He was with me. He reminded me of verses I’d known all my life — that He works all things for His good and glory. God brought me out of that dark time, and I slowly began to desire Him again. Though nothing could have completely prepared me, I believe God was working in my heart before the accident to get me ready spiritually. I realized my injury was in no way a setback but just another step God had planned in my life. Obviously, a lot has changed, and I like to say, “I’m finding a new normal.” But what has not changed is my desire to want what God desires. Now I’m back at Cedarville, and I can’t say how wonderful it is! They’ve done so much, and everyone has been so welcoming. If people tell me I’ve been an encouragement to them, it’s extremely humbling because I know it’s nothing I did but God bringing me through. Sure, there’s a part of me that wants to just do nothing all day. But God did not create me that way, and I have no desire to waste the life God has given me. School might take a little longer, but I’m determined to finish. I want to go into family law so I can help people who are going through a divorce and be a light for Christ in a sad, dark time in their lives. I’d also like to be a marriage counselor at my church. Believe it or not, life is starting to feel normal again. A new normal, yes, but still a life that I will try to use to glorify God. Dan Knudsen plans to graduate in 2010 with a prelaw degree. You may contact him at dknudsen@cedarville.edu . So All Will Feel at Home When the Cedarville class of 2008 began discussing their senior class gift, they decided to do something for one of their classmates. Dan Knudsen ’10, who had started with them as a freshman, had to withdraw during his junior year due to a serious spinal cord injury. He wanted to return to Cedarville to finish his degree, but the school didn’t have the facilities to meet his physical needs. So, his classmates set a goal of raising $25,000 to cover half the cost of the remodel. Students donated funds, many waived the refund of their $100 room deposit, and they encouraged their parents to get involved. In the end, they raised $19,312 — amazing for a class of 653! A plaque outside the room — which is sure to bless other students with disabilities in future years — reads: “Provided by generous gifts from the class of 2008: Inspired by classmate Dan Knudsen.” If you would like to contribute to this project, direct your donations to the 2008 Senior Class Gift. For more information, contact Drew Flamm ’05, director of The Cedarville Fund, at dflamm@cedarville.edu or 1-800-766-1115. i