Tasha Schuh once thought he lost it all when she fell backwards through a trap door on her high school stage and broke her back. Now, she has a new book, a new crown, a new award from Mayo Clinic.
After her accident, Schuh said the permanent paralysis broke her spirit.
"I thought the best parts of my life were before my accident," she said.
Having recently told a friend she couldn't survive a life of paralysis, Schuh admitted that she wanted to die.
"I totally thought my life was completely over," Schuh told FOX 9 News.
The doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic convinced her otherwise, and she's singing a completely different tune now.
"This is the best life I could ever have," Schuh said.
Schuh is a high-octane motivational speech on high-tech wheels. She's spoken at schools and churches across the Midwest, but that's just one way she uses her experience to help others. The recently-crowned Miss Wheelchair USA has also spent three years writing a book that is now hitting the presses.
"The title is: 'My Last Step Backward,'" Schuh explained. "I'm just hoping that it offers inspiration and hope for others. That's why I wrote it."
Along the way, she built a house to call home, earned crowns to fill her shelves, and found a fiancé she will marry next August. With so many great strides, it may be no wonder that her Mayo clinic nurse nominated her for the American Rehabilitation Champion Award.
"Not only has Tasha excelled in her recovery, but she has gone above and turned her spinal cord injury and her journey and returned all of her efforts from all the people that helped her along the way," said Lisa Beck.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:33 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:33:20 GMT
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
A New Jersey priest who resigned after admitting he worked unsupervised with kids despite a legal agreement that barred him from doing so is headed to court.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
