Friday June 4,1982. It was the last day of my sophomore year at Chattahoochee High. Like everyone I was happy summer was finally here and looking forward to it, I Thought!

Saturday June 5,1982. My family, Mom, Dad, Sister, Niece and I went to Panama City Beach. We swam in the Gulf of Mexico, picnicked and had a great time. After returning home my dad and myself unpacked the car while my sister and niece went next door to go swimming in the neighbor's pool. When I finished helping I started next door also, As I walked across the front yard where Mr. Glass was mowing. I gestured hello as I passed when I noticed my niece had her back to me, so I thought I'd scare her by jumping beside her intending to dive and glide down the slope from the shallow toward the deep end. I began to run toward the pool as I reached the edge I pushed off with my left foot. That would be the last step I would ever take. As I entered the water my chin hit the bottom hyper-extending my neck fracturing and compressing the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae. I should have taken one more step. From where I left off to where the slope started was 11 ft. 11in. and where I impacted the bottom was 11ft. 9in. I guess that 2 inches is as good as a mile.

I immediately knew something was wrong, the air was knocked out of me, I remember trying to inhale but couldn't. My thoughts then turned to reaching the surface before I drown, not being able to move or feel anything, floating halfway between the bottom and the surface like a dead man wondering why I couldn't swim did I realize that wasn't going to happen. Somehow my sister reached me and pulled me to the surface and turned me face up asking if I was alright? "No" I responded. Gently easing me to the steps explaining what she was about to do, resting my head on the top step to go get help and if I started moving to yell out. After that the details aren't clear but I do remember telling my mom that " I'm Hurt Bad".

That was how it happened and my introduction to {SCI} Spinal Cord Injuries an the beginning of "Mick's Big Adventure"