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Show Evolution, from legs to wings by Ryan Dana cause he owned busi- Silence is something most residents are used to in Stock-toUtah with a mere populan, tion of 426 people. However, five miles west of Stockton and even more isolated, silence is hard to come by in Chad Hymas home. say that Chad, 29, has accomplished much would be an understatement. As he works vigorously in his home office, Chad communicates clearly and concisely to his children, Get your pajamas on, and get ready for bed. Chad is a quadriplegic from the chest down with minimal use in his arms. Amazingly, he can type 50 words per minute as the keys snap up and down quickly while holding a detailed conversation. Change creates opportunity, says Chad. Opportunity for experience, growth, and ulTo timately achievement. In Chads home silence is hard to come by because there is always something to improve on in life, there is always some way to change. Who needs legs, when you have wings? is Chad's motto in life. On April 3, 2001, Chad Hymas life changed dramati-- 1 cally and he had a decision to grow wings or to remain The morning grounded. started out like any other day Chads ranch a few miles from Stockton, Utah. A rancher is a difficult role to play, especially for Chad be on other nesses as well. He usually ended his days feeding his animals. However, on that fateful day a routine task changed his life forever. Just hours before Chad finished his day on the ranch, his wife, Shondell called. She was ecstatic because their second child had taken his first steps. She passed on the exciting news to Chad. Chad wanted to hurry that night to get home to Kyler. He jumped on his tractor and loaded a one-to- n bale of hay, but noticed the hydraulics were not working correctly. Unfortunately, Chad chose to ignore the problem because he wanted to get home to Kyler. Suddenly, the hydraulics failed completely, and the one-tobale of hay came crashing down on Chad, pinning him to the steering wheel. He could no longer feel his arms or legs, and he could barely breathe because of the weight of the hay that pressed his body against the steering wheel. Chad had no choice but to wait for his wife to assist him. Time passed by and seemed like an eternity to him. There n were times when Chad thought he would perish, so he asked God, Let me stay. I have two children and a wife. mediate surgery. He had broken three of the seven vertebrae in his neck and doctors said he wouldnt be able to do many things he used to. Then Chad had a choice. He could give up and sulk, or he could maintain a positive attitude and soar to new heights. Chad chose the latter, moved on with life, and grew wings. Now, above the computer in his office sits an inspirational framed poster that reads, Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A good attitude is not all Chad has acquired. In 2003, Chad embarked on a trek from his home to break a world record. Highly motivated, e Chad set out on a trip from Salt Lake City to Las Vewheelgas in a hand-peda- l well-organiz- Wednesday, May 1 1, 2005 - Page 513-mil- chair. Chad pedaled for 11 days with minimal use in his arms and set a new world record. The Southeastern Utah District Health Department is proud to sponsor Chad Hymas. You can hear his presentation on Friday, June 3 at 1:30 p.m. at San Juan High School. Tickets are $5 each. Purchase them at the Blanding or Monticello health offices or call Lorraine Laws at 435-678-27- or Sue Morrell at 435-587-202- 1. Tickets will be available at the door as long as seating is available. To learn more about Chad, go to www.ChadHymas.com. State of Utah DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES EASTERN REGION The work of Monticello's Michaelangelo, Pearl Lewis, is evident on the side of the building at Monticello Home and Auto Supply. Buckley Jensen photo Murals give artistic boost to town by Buckley Jensen One day, the proprietor of the Monticello Home and Auto Supply store in Monticello was contemplating advertising he planned to put on the north wall of his store. Located kitty-corne- r from the junction of U.S. Highways 191 and 491; probably the most heavily traveled intersection in San Juan County, it held great advertising potential. Better than seven big billboards out on the highway, Kay Randall thought, because people will be going slow enough to read them. After designing a lot of advertising options, he realized it would look just like every other tacky advertising space in LVe world, so Kg decided Lo noticed a beautiful mural on her garage door. painted Heck, he said, I would much rather have Pearl paint my building than some guy passing through town, so he approached her about the idea. She was excited to do it. To date she has painted three large six by ten foot panels of Angel Arch, Lake Powell and Monument Valley. I was really worried about having an 85 year old woman six feet off the ground on scaffolding, Kay said, but Pearl is really only 39 in attitude, heart and spirit. She told us to stop worrying and just let her paint. The results have been exquisite so far, and there may Ke Vwo mere pantls coming do something different; somthis summer. A big thanks to Kay and the ething that would make Monticello a little nicer. talent of Pearl Lewis for a coHe hired a traveling artist to llaboration that has made such paint the first three panels. a visible contribution to the Then, one day he was driving overall aesthetics of our little past the Pearl Lewis home and village. IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK SAN JUAN HOSPITAL IS OFFERING LIPID PROFILES $20 INCLUDES: TOTAL CHOLESTEROL HDL7LDL TRIGLYCERIDE PSA $10 COLON CARE KIT $5 Blanding Clinic Focus OF THE TRAINING WILL BE BASIC CUSTOMER SERVICE & HOW TO SELL YOUR COMPANY & Thursday, May 1 2, 2005 8:00 to 11:00 am THE LOCAL AREA. The foundation of successful training has been developed to into this category. There will be business comes down to how improve the image and services two you or your employees treat customers. Because of the out- that county businesses provide, and Blanding to give cry from dissatisfied customers, e employees, any private Business owners themselves fit both n and locals, a This training is being offered to full-tim- sessions for both Monticello owners the flexibility San Juan Hospital. Friday, May 1 3, 2005 7:30 to 11:00 am must be fasting for testing a Please stamped envelope bring self-address- business to send as many employees as possible to the trainings. morannn Serving San Juan County Since 1957 Licensed Electrical Contractor For all those who qualify, Custom Fit is paying 75 of the course fee, bringing the cost of the training to $10 per person. Commercial Residential Trenching David Johnson 678-237- 6 Eric Johnson 678-355- 4 :all Us For Prompt And Efficient Service No Job Too Large Or Too Small If 3 ed Let me stay. After that point Chad found it easier to breathe, and help finally arrived. Chad was rushed to the hospital for im THE SAN JUAN RECORD or your employees qualify for the 75 you have any questions, including whether you call Tim Chamberlain at Workforce Services in Blanding office at 435-678-140- 3. tuition subsidy, O |