Bad things happen. Sometimes really, really bad things happen.
Put yourself in this situation: One day you suddenly find you are no longer able to stand. After being diagnosed with a rare condition and moved to a hospital with specialists in that condition, your first surgery takes all day and is unsuccessful in fixing the problem. Your condition worsens and a further emergency surgery a few days later finally finds and fixes the cause. However, you still have no feeling or movement in your legs. You're in pain and very weak from the experience. The doctors don't have any idea whether you'll ever regain their use. But they do know that if ever you do walk again, it will be after a very long road of very difficult therapy.
How would you react? Some people would obsess over "why me?" Some would be determined to beat the odds until finding out just how challenging and painful therapy can actually be; then resort to doing the minimum work the therapists demand.
At least one person would choose to be happy--feeling lucky to be alive--and attack the exhaustive therapy sessions with relish while viewing each new challenge as a puzzle to be solved.
It seems that Scott Klement has a new job. Not his position with Profound Logic--he's been there a while now. No, his newest job is the task of regaining his independence in the face of suddenly finding himself a paraplegic. And he is pursuing that job with the same unbelievable tenacity that he has always applied to his IT work.
Over the years, we've often joked about that fact that Scott must not sleep. If he did, how could he possibly work (and excel at) a full-time job running an IT shop and in his "spare time" write dozens of articles every year and edit a newsletter and prolifically answer questions (in detail, often with sample code) on various forums and Internet lists not to mention questions coming to him directly via email and create/maintain several open-source projects and speak at conferences and volunteer to help create the agenda at COMMON and many other work-related activities. Aside from that, he is very active in his son's life, often taking weekend or longer train journeys with him. There simply don't seem to be enough hours in the day for anyone to do as much as Scott does on a regular basis.
So in retrospect, it probably shouldn't surprise any of us that Scott has now turned that same tenacity toward his new job. His doctors, nurses and therapists are amazed at his attitude, energy and his insistence to do way more in the therapy sessions than was planned for him to do.
He has even taken the time out of his busy therapy schedule to keep those of us in the unofficial "Scott Klement Fan Club" (with many, many members!) apprised of his progress in a blog. If you're a fan but have missed out on hearing the amazing, frightening tale of what has been happening with Scott lately, hear the story directly from Scott at tinyurl.com/ScottsHealthBlog.
The progress he has made in such a short time is incredible. No, he's not walking yet, but if determination and hard work are enough to make it happen, no doubt he will be.
Put yourself in this situation: One day you suddenly find you are no longer able to stand. After being diagnosed with a rare condition and moved to a hospital with specialists in that condition, your first surgery takes all day and is unsuccessful in fixing the problem. Your condition worsens and a further emergency surgery a few days later finally finds and fixes the cause. However, you still have no feeling or movement in your legs. You're in pain and very weak from the experience. The doctors don't have any idea whether you'll ever regain their use. But they do know that if ever you do walk again, it will be after a very long road of very difficult therapy.
How would you react? Some people would obsess over "why me?" Some would be determined to beat the odds until finding out just how challenging and painful therapy can actually be; then resort to doing the minimum work the therapists demand.
At least one person would choose to be happy--feeling lucky to be alive--and attack the exhaustive therapy sessions with relish while viewing each new challenge as a puzzle to be solved.
It seems that Scott Klement has a new job. Not his position with Profound Logic--he's been there a while now. No, his newest job is the task of regaining his independence in the face of suddenly finding himself a paraplegic. And he is pursuing that job with the same unbelievable tenacity that he has always applied to his IT work.
Over the years, we've often joked about that fact that Scott must not sleep. If he did, how could he possibly work (and excel at) a full-time job running an IT shop and in his "spare time" write dozens of articles every year and edit a newsletter and prolifically answer questions (in detail, often with sample code) on various forums and Internet lists not to mention questions coming to him directly via email and create/maintain several open-source projects and speak at conferences and volunteer to help create the agenda at COMMON and many other work-related activities. Aside from that, he is very active in his son's life, often taking weekend or longer train journeys with him. There simply don't seem to be enough hours in the day for anyone to do as much as Scott does on a regular basis.
So in retrospect, it probably shouldn't surprise any of us that Scott has now turned that same tenacity toward his new job. His doctors, nurses and therapists are amazed at his attitude, energy and his insistence to do way more in the therapy sessions than was planned for him to do.
He has even taken the time out of his busy therapy schedule to keep those of us in the unofficial "Scott Klement Fan Club" (with many, many members!) apprised of his progress in a blog. If you're a fan but have missed out on hearing the amazing, frightening tale of what has been happening with Scott lately, hear the story directly from Scott at tinyurl.com/ScottsHealthBlog.
The progress he has made in such a short time is incredible. No, he's not walking yet, but if determination and hard work are enough to make it happen, no doubt he will be.
Yes, very inspirational! We wish Scott a full recovery. We'll apply our faith and prayers.
Posted by: Nathan M. Andelin | February 13, 2013 at 10:05 PM
It has been a few years since I've officially been in the "i" space, but I was lucky enough to have Scott as a colleague while at System iNEWS and the only thing that was more impressive than his tireless dedication to our market was his amazing dedication to his son, Alex. We all love our children - but Scott - man oh man - the time devoted to your son's passions inspired me. I still see you on FB and you continue to inspire me, in all new ways. Keep giving them hell.
Posted by: Kim Hansen | February 13, 2013 at 10:50 PM
A truly inspirational person shows us the way on all walks of life.
Posted by: Naresh Mepani | February 14, 2013 at 02:18 AM
Scott hoping for a quick and complete recovery. Keep fighting the good fight!
Posted by: Phil Stewart | February 14, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Best wishes for a speedy recovery Scott.
Posted by: Brett hall | February 14, 2013 at 02:25 PM
It's good to read about Scott's progress in his blog. He's always shown a lot of patience and a unsurpassed problem solving ability, skills that are no doubt standing him in good stead.
Posted by: Greg Helton | February 14, 2013 at 04:27 PM
I only wish Scott all the best and hope to have him back soon ... He is a legend in the sense that he brings a kind of dedication that instills confidence and inspiration on others ... We need people like him to motivate the iCommunity to break shakles and embrace mordernization ..
Posted by: Venky | February 19, 2013 at 04:16 AM
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery Scott. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Brian Lannoye | February 20, 2013 at 03:12 PM