SFU Physical Therapy Students Welcome Author Michael Kiel, Spinal Cord Injury Survivor

The Portage native told the harrowing story of the shooting that left him paralyzed in all four limbs.

Loretto, PA (02/28/2020) — A key component to the Physical Therapy curriculum is hands-on learning and engagement with those who have experienced the challenges of living with a disability.

Michael Kiel, author of memoir Challenge the Moment, spoke with students in the Saint Francis Doctor of Physical Therapy program Thursday on the realities of living with a spinal cord injury. Professor Robyn Redline's Neurology Lab welcomed the author, who told his incredible story of surviving a gunshot wound nearly 27 years ago which caused paralysis to all four of his limbs.

With honesty and humor, the Portage native told stories of his life before and after the shooting, providing insight into a life-altering event that most could struggle to imagine. Kiel elaborated on his day-to-day approach to recovery. "The more I focused on those small battles that were in front of me-I picked those small fights with everything I had-I didn't even realize the big picture, which was that I was winning the war."

Kiel detailed his therapeutic journey, and offered advice to the future physical therapists on how they can work with people who have disabilities. He encouraged them to set realistic, measurable goals that can be met and built upon. "You have to assume that they can soar, that they can fly...a lot of people just need some type of foundation, a starting point from which they can launch."

Kiel's memoir delves into his perspective on life prior to and after his injury. Challenge the Moment is available on Amazon.

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