Who is todd?
Todd is an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of knowing
him.
He was born in 1979 to a great dad, mom, and sister. When Todd
was about 4 his father died in a motorcycle accident when coming
home from work. In the summer of 1987, Todd then 8, found himself
playing with some antique rifles owned by his deceased father. Todd
was accidentally shot in the chin by his cousin Michael.
As a boy growing up with quadriplegia, Todd and his family
managed as best they could. Todd’s mother Gwen, did not allow him to
dwell on his disability. She told him he would be allowed to stay at
home only until he was 20 years old. Todd learned at a very young
age to not let his disability stop his dreams.
He attended public school, became a Natural Helper, and started
attending college classes at 16. A week after turning 18, Todd got
his first job as a software developer for a medical company based in
Seattle .
Today, Todd is a very successful businessman. Todd still works
for the same medical software company. He now holds the position of
Vice President of Operations.
Todd’s real passion is speaking to businesses, hospitals,
colleges, schools, churches, conferences, etc. about his story and
overcoming challenges. Todd is a real source of inspiration,
compassion, and honesty.
Todd’s mantra is “I want to give back to the community which
gave to me and my family.” Todd has found ways to touch others
in profound ways—he touches with his heart; through his paintings,
volunteering at hospitals,
public/inspirational speeches, and peer counseling.
Todd's Vision
Compassion – I live every minute of my life with a
constant reminder of a bad choice. Thru this choice I now present
myself to the world as a spectacle. My choice now is how to define
spectacle. I want to choose and help others choose life over death.
By sitting in my own pain, I can help others by requesting
permission to sit with them when most do not or will not.
Innovation – My mind is in real time developing
solutions to enrich my life. I work 24 hours a day making
quadriplegia less painful in my daily routine. The solutions I / we
develop should be shared with the world. My position is unique when
compared to my peers. I/we want to use this leverage to educate
leaders, teachers, and therapists with better ways to provide
solutions.
Empowerment – Using my story to share love and life we
will find other stories of the like. When we share we learn, and
when we learn we become empowered to make better choices. Choices
start with self and with the right tools the choice then becomes
sustainable. The power to choose is what we all want.
“I believe in the mind and the power it has to create quality
in life. When your mind is all you have, you begin to think very
differently from the person sitting next you. I believe we are here
to serve and lift each other up. I am a man who was profoundly
changed by my experience. My life’s desire is to share my story with
as many people as possible in the hope it might start the mobility
in their mind. Mobility of the mind looks different for all of us,
but when we are free to think and free to share our story, I believe
we can do anything.”
Todd Stabelfeldt - 2008
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