Hope is one thing that keeps us going. Our abilities come into the picture right when we become headstrong about achieving a particular thing. Nothing can break us until and unless we decide to give up.

Life took an unfair turn for Janne Kouri back in 2006. Amid a beach volleyball tournament, he decided to freshen up. And once he got into the sea a sandbar came in his way. After getting hit against it, Janne fractured his spinal cord and in a split second, he was paralyzed from his neck down.

Doctors gave up on his condition and told him he would never be able to walk again. The accident and its consequence got imprinted in Janne’s mind but, that did not stop him from taking up an initiative which is extremely helpful for many of them out there. He came up with a non-profit organization called NextStep Fitness which offers fitness and rehab to paralyzed people and now he has taken up a journey which must be heard by all.

Janne started riding on his power wheelchair from Los Angeles on March 10 and will conclude his journey in Washington DC on May 15. And the goal behind this embarkment is to raise funds for the US service members who are paralyzed. He is also raising awareness about paralysis through this journey.

All that we can learn from Janne’s story is that quitting is not the solution when life gets tough. It may take something precious from us someday but, in return will offer more if we stand strong through the storm.

Image Courtesy: NextStep Fitness