Comments about ‘Paraplegic veteran still going full speed through life’

An excellent story about a man with an exceptional perseverance to live life to the fullest in the face of adversity. I enjoyed the writer's keen perspective and his ability to draw me into this man's life. Excellent work!!!!! Looking forward to more stories from this talented writer.

As a 40%, Disabled Vet. I see a lot of People Like Mr. Tims.

I do not know how he connects his injury to the service but that is his business.

You can live in the State Of Utah in peace and Not be a Mormon.

People like Mr. Tims. are very dedicated and very Brave. Brave comes in many shades and Colors.

His Sport, like the Para Olympics will draw flies. However that does not matter. It may get some coverage in Spokane, Wa. Because there is No Life in Spokane, Wa. However it is a very nice place to visit, except in the Winter Time. It is a nice area and a good place to raise kids.

The movie "Coming Home" "John Voit, Jane Fonda, Bruce Dern 1978", Covers Handicapped Personal Relationships, well. Mostly what can be accomplished, not what cannot.

People like Mr. Tims, lead a full life, not just for them but for anyone.

I feel bad about his family relationships but that personal for him and them. Lots of us are estranged to various degrees from family members.

I which him well and a long healthy life.


I would bet he is Not Lonely.

A fine story, do you see the Arms on Mr.Tims. He is in very good condition.

Handicapped People have the right to a full life also. BJ Assessable Wheel Chairs are very popular.

Handicapped People can live a full life with certain and fewer modifications then you might think.

RE:Awesomeron, the story does not say that his disability is service connected just that he IS disabled and is a veteran. And thus participates in the Disabled Veterans Games.

As long as the disability occurred while he was INn the service, it's considered service-connected and he can claim to be a "disabled veteran".

I worked with a guy who, while working a part-time job while in the military, dropped an engine block on his finger. He's been collecting 20% VA disability for over 30 years, because of that "service-connected" injury.

Mr. Tims is 52, which would mean he was born in 1956 or 1957. If he had been paralyzed in 1978 "three years after he left the Army" then he would have been discharged in 1975 at the tender age of 18 or 19.

I think the DesNews needs to go back and verify their information, or maybe provide some more background to the story.

NOTE: I am NOT accusing Mr. Tims of falsely claiming to be a veteran; he wouldn't be eligible for treatment at VA hospital if he weren't. I'm saying the reporter and editors need to pay better attention to details.

According to the article, the injury that paralyzed him occurred "three years after he left the Army".

However, according to the article he was 18 or 19 when he was discharged, so he could have had sustained an injury in the Army that led to his classification as disabled.

Unfortunately, the article doesn't give us any information on that. But then again that wasn't the point of the article in the first place.

I'm sorry, I fell for the headline and missed the important words.

Now I'm not sure what the point of the article was? "Disabled man rides bike?"

I really think the media should quit DIShonoring combat-injured veterans, by giving "disabled veteran" status to anyone who ever served in the military and who was later injured.

This reminds me of the Ogden story a few months ago, where the "paralyzed veteran" (paralyzed during an off-duty swimming accident) was trying to gain public sympathy to get out of a debt.

I honor our veterans for what they did during their service; let's not create bandwagons.

Loved the 10:46 comments!!!I've been at the VA Hosp. for over 30 years.I took care of a patient a month ago. He had his leg blown off above the knee IN VIET NAM serving with the 101st. He is wheelchair bound at the present time. He gets 30% service related. The percent of service-connected- payments I see for people that were never in battle is amazing! Being a Veteran has very little to do with this article. COMBAT VETERANS ROCK!!!!!

Straightforward and luring article! Tims plays things tough, but seems quite vulnerable when it gets down to it.

I want to know more!

This guy served in the Army for two years or so, was injured three years later, and is being cared for by the VA hospitals? The VA buys him special equipment, for an injury that occurred while he wasn't in the military?

Heck, my husband's a VietNam veteran (3-1/2 years, three tours to 'nam) and if he got hurt now, he'd be eligible for full VA medical coverage?

He could use a knee replacement. I wonder....

No wonder the VA is over-stressed!

moving story