Milton, or Spencer as he likes to be called, was on a motorcycle tour with friends in 2008 when he acquired a T5-T6 spinal cord injury (SCI). Spencer’s only memory from that day was of putting on his riding boots and leaving his home. He was treated at University of Maryland Shock Trauma, where he struggled with short term memory loss for about three months. But he soon returned home determined to begin building his new life.
His memory is much better now, and he spends his time figuring innovative ways to be an entrepreneur. He’s currently involved in real estate and is always looking for new opportunities. Through it all, Spencer has maintained a great sense of humor and considers himself a big kid at heart. When he’s not looking for new business ventures, you can find Spencer playing chess or visiting a shooting range.
We asked Spencer what the most important lesson he has learned from his SCI is and he told us, “Remove ‘can’t’ from your vocabulary. Figure out what you need to do to get the job done, even if it takes 100 tries.” Spencer is a consistent member of the Independence Now’s monthly SCI support group and frequently at the group outings like dinner or indoor skydiving. The group is hosted in partnership with United Spinal Association and is available for anyone with Spinal Cord Injuries living in Montgomery or Prince George’s Counties. Members of the area SCI community come together to support each other by providing useful, up-to-date information about services and products, as well as an atmosphere that allows for discussion of personal challenges and solutions to everyday concerns. Join us on the 4th Thursday of every month, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm!
