Ali Gray
My name is Ali Gray and I sustained a T4 spinal cord injury in a motocross accident on February 23 of 2019.
February 23, 2019 was a cool but sunny Saturday when I drove to the Perris Motocross Track. Little did my 42-year-old self realize that on this day my life would take a sudden turn and that I would be placed into the toughest contest of my life. I mounted on my motocross bike and the next thing I remember is lying on the track with individuals attempting to aid me as I had been seriously injured. I remember very little of that ride or how the accident happened, but the remainder of the event is very clear. On that fateful Saturday, I was placed in an ambulance and transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar where the doctors determined that my injuries were extremely serious. I was transported via helicopter to Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) in Loma Linda. At LLUMC, the doctors determined that my spinal cord had been severed between the T4 and T5 vertebrae which indicated that I would be paralyzed from the chest down. Thoracic and spinal surgeries were performed, and I was placed in the Intensive Care Unit for two weeks followed by two additional weeks in LLUMC to begin my therapy regiment.
The Be Perfect Foundation granted me a scholarship to participate in The Perfect Step’s (TPS) paralysis recovery program. I've only been at TPS for the last few months and have made great strides in a short time thanks to a grant from The Be Perfect Foundation. I can only attend once a week currently due to financial restraints .
Any kind of spinal cord injury is definitely not for the faint of heart. A spinal cord injury is more of a mental struggle than physical. It all comes down to attitude and The Perfect Step has the perfect attitude to give you hope that you can get better or improve your current situation.
My goal is to walk. Everyday I attend The Perfect Step or other physical therapy places or workout at home, I know I'm getting closer to my goal every single day.
In the future I would love to have the opportunity to help raise money for others with grants. I would love to speak in front of people and raise awareness about spinal cord injuries.
I truly believe God has assigned me this mountain to show others it can be moved.