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One step can turn into miles
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By Pollack Pollack Communications & Technology Writer September 23, 2003 Reprinted with Permission. Copyright © 2003, The Ohio State University |
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An 80-foot, 3.5-ton American Linden had Rosemarie Rossetti’s name on it. But the former Ohio State University agricultural education professor, turned motivational speaker and author, had other plans.
The tree came crashing down five years ago as Rossetti bicycled by, leaving her paralyzed below the waist, but the experience has sent the horticulturist down a road of rediscovery and appreciation of life. Now Rossetti is taking others for the ride with her first single-authored book: Take Back Your Life! Regaining Your Footing After Life Throws You a Curve.
“How ironic that a horticulturist would be struck by a tree. I kept asking myself, “Why me?” said Rossetti, who taught in Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for 11 years before leaving in 1997. “I had to find purpose to all of this suffering. I had to figure out that what I had gone through had value and meaning in my life. And then I realized that I can help others; I had a special insight and I could make a difference in people who were going through a crisis or similar situation.”
Rossetti has established herself nationally as a professional speaker, consultant, trainer and writer, has co-authored four books and is a syndicated columnist. Her book challenges readers to believe the impossible is possible through five basic life lessons. One of those lessons challenges readers to do something new everyday.
“Explore life. Get out of your routine. If you drive the same way home everyday, pick a new way you’ve never gone. Go to the grocery store and buy something you’ve never bought before, then go home and learn how to cook it,” said Rossetti. “The idea is to put yourself in a position of accepting change so that when you are forced to make a change you are less likely to resist it. By doing so, you learn new skill sets, you are meeting new people and new opportunities are opening up.”
Change was upon Rossetti during her two years of physical therapy, whether she welcomed it or not.
“The tragedy was the worst thing I could imagine happening to me, but I lived through it. I got a second chance,” said Rossetti. “I made the decision that I wanted my life back and out of adversity came opportunities and opportunities continue to come.”
Rossetti has had the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch, compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant and recently met actor Christopher Reeve, who has turned out to be her own inspiration. More importantly, she has regained some feeling in her legs, allowing her to enjoy simple pleasures we tend to take for granted, such as walking and riding a bike.
“All you have to take is that one step and before you know it, you’re walking for miles,” she said.
A portion of the proceeds from Rossetti’s book will be donated to the Rosemarie Rossetti Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund—a fund for the Ohio State University Medical Center Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital to advance the cure for spinal cord injuries. Since the fund began two years ago, over $7,200 has been raised for research and other purposes.
The tree came crashing down five years ago as Rossetti bicycled by, leaving her paralyzed below the waist, but the experience has sent the horticulturist down a road of rediscovery and appreciation of life. Now Rossetti is taking others for the ride with her first single-authored book: Take Back Your Life! Regaining Your Footing After Life Throws You a Curve.
“How ironic that a horticulturist would be struck by a tree. I kept asking myself, “Why me?” said Rossetti, who taught in Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences for 11 years before leaving in 1997. “I had to find purpose to all of this suffering. I had to figure out that what I had gone through had value and meaning in my life. And then I realized that I can help others; I had a special insight and I could make a difference in people who were going through a crisis or similar situation.”
Rossetti has established herself nationally as a professional speaker, consultant, trainer and writer, has co-authored four books and is a syndicated columnist. Her book challenges readers to believe the impossible is possible through five basic life lessons. One of those lessons challenges readers to do something new everyday.
“Explore life. Get out of your routine. If you drive the same way home everyday, pick a new way you’ve never gone. Go to the grocery store and buy something you’ve never bought before, then go home and learn how to cook it,” said Rossetti. “The idea is to put yourself in a position of accepting change so that when you are forced to make a change you are less likely to resist it. By doing so, you learn new skill sets, you are meeting new people and new opportunities are opening up.”
Change was upon Rossetti during her two years of physical therapy, whether she welcomed it or not.
“The tragedy was the worst thing I could imagine happening to me, but I lived through it. I got a second chance,” said Rossetti. “I made the decision that I wanted my life back and out of adversity came opportunities and opportunities continue to come.”
Rossetti has had the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch, compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant and recently met actor Christopher Reeve, who has turned out to be her own inspiration. More importantly, she has regained some feeling in her legs, allowing her to enjoy simple pleasures we tend to take for granted, such as walking and riding a bike.
“All you have to take is that one step and before you know it, you’re walking for miles,” she said.
A portion of the proceeds from Rossetti’s book will be donated to the Rosemarie Rossetti Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund—a fund for the Ohio State University Medical Center Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital to advance the cure for spinal cord injuries. Since the fund began two years ago, over $7,200 has been raised for research and other purposes.
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