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West Mich. man who survived 15-foot fall shares story of determination, hope as a new father

“It has been a heck of a year for me, a lot of life-changing events, but I can say I love being a dad just as much as I thought I would,” Maier said.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — More than six months after a fall that could’ve paralyzed him from the waist down, James Maier is sharing his story of survival, determination and hope as he now navigates life being a father.

Last year, Maier was celebrating the end of his month-long journey with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and today he’s walking again. After a 15-foot fall that happened while cutting trees in his backyard, Maier’s strength during rehab and physical therapy proved that he would defy all odds. He credits the medical staff at Mary Free Bed who ultimately saved his life.

“Being at Mary Free Bed for that month that I was an inpatient, I think it really got me on the right track,” Maier said. "It was great to be there and have the smiling faces that I had there and to have the doctors that I talked to.”

Today, cheers were in order for Maier who served as keynote speaker for Mary Free Bed’s Let Freedom Spring Luncheon, where he spoke about his experience at the leading rehabilitation hospital. With life’s turn of events, Maier said he’s excited to be a father to his little boy and looks forward to all of life’s first moments with his son.

“It has been a heck of a year for me, a lot of life-changing events but I can say I love being a dad just as much as I thought I would,” Maier said.

With each step he takes, James is thankful for the support of Mary Free Bed, family and friends, and of course his little boy. His message to others is to continue to press on.

“Life throws stuff at you, it's not your fault, life just happens at times. The best you can do is to keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward because life's worth living and there's a lot ahead of you, Maier said.

Maier said he still has a long road towards recovery and looks forward to seeing how much more progress he's able to make.

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