Forty years ago, Fred Meyling stepped onto a roof having little idea that his life would soon alter with one fall. But alter drastically, it did. An accident that day in June 1976 from that very roof caused a broken back and a spinal cord injury to this husband and father of three. Spinal cord injuries (SCI) often cause temporary or permanent damage, including loss of strength, sensation or function from the site of the injury. Meyling was left unable to walk following his accident. The family relocated from Pennsylvania to California, and he underwent physical therapy as often as possible, also incorporating exercises at home. Meyling was motivated to walk again. And he did three years after his fall from the roof.
Sadly, in 1984, his fragile spine was injured again. One small twist the wrong way while completing a household task led Meyling into the hospital for two months, and then immediately into a wheelchair thereafter. But he didn’t let that stop him. Although work was a challenge to find -- and small businesses did not prove fruitful -- he utilized his time toward nonprofit and volunteer work, including three decades of dedication to Sun n Fun. Today, Fred Meyling fights against a blood order, hemochromatosis, but still finds time -- as he is able -- for volunteer work close to his heart.
