Christopher J. Olson

Hey you! I have never written on this and have no idea how ofter you check it, but I hope you're doing well! It's been TOO long since we've seen one another. I will probably be making a trip up of YOUR break... I don't get one of those anymore... :( Anyway... hope you're well, hope I see you soon and MERRY CHRISTMAS my dear! Love ya!

Lacie Lynn

Stumbled in from Fark....hi there. You have an interesting story and an irrepressible spirit.

I'm not sure how often you check this, but here we go anyhow. Obviously, we share a name. Or rather, at least the essential components of a name. Goodness knows the middle initial is just flavor. As you can probably guess, that's what initially drew me to your site. For the first time, however, I bothered to actually read through all of it, and I must say, the story of you and Tana exerts the strangest emotional pull in my heart; I find everything about the two of you fascinating. Not, obviously, on any obsessive level. I mean merely to say that your story touched me and that, no matter how shitty your life may become at times, I hope you continue to... thrive, I guess? I realize there are no words I can offer you that won't sound false or that you have not already heard, but despite that I want to express how interesting you truly are. And, I wish you well in the future.

Sorry if that was a bit incoherent...

I have known Chris since we were 6 years old! I just read your stories and am in tears and awe struck. I am so happy you went on to accomplish what you have. Thinking of you often.

I am takin an online class with Chris Olson, he is a great professor. I have just gone through his website and I must say, I am totally moved and Inspired. I send out the good vibes and pray may Chris have a great time at dsu and also I would like to wish you good luck in all your future endeavours :)

love the pictures of friends! especially my cleopatra one

miss you beyond words

~Stay Beautiful~

Hello there,

I'm so impressed with you and all you've been able to capture with your site, and your words. You are a tremendous writer. Somehow - i'm not able to see your daily logs, but that's ok, i'm sure you've been curtailed due to the profession you're in - having to be a good role model and all...One of these days, if you come to los angeles - look me up. Venice is not all freak-show boardwalk and rollerbladers in bikinis. Besides, is that such a bad thing? Stay strong, be well. Bless you!

Lori

Olson,
Long time, no talk. I hope all is well in Madtown. Do not visit my homepage, it was hijacked. Talk soon, PEACE.
-E

I've enjoyed reading your blog over the past few years, thank you!

All the fun websites are blocked on my computer (damn corporate job to hell!) so I decided to stalk yours... how do I get to the blog.

Can you email me at my new cool email
megan.mclaughlin.p3t7@statefarm.com

Your baby is getting old aaaaahhhhhhh
mmmkay thats it
love you and miss you like duuuuh

Chris
Came across your story and found a lot of strange similarities (other than the name). My best friend Jim broke his neck in a diving accident about 20 years ago C-7 and is also a quadrapeligic. We all went through a lot of the same stuff you spoke about. He went to college and is now a Spanish teacher in NC. About 14 years ago I fell off a building in Honduras and fractured my wrist and my skull in two places. Strangely enough Jim was there at the time as well. The 3rd world is not easy in a wheelchair. I have recovered "completely" from my accident but still appreciate how fragile and resilient people can be. I'm proud and impressed with both you and Jim for putting your lives together and helping other people, I know it's a lot of work.

I came upon your page on accident. But I am glad that I did. Your story moved me. I am sorry to hear about Tana, but I do belive that she is your angel and that one day you will be together again. God bless you and take care. There is much love in this world.

Becky

Yo, Hope all is well my brother. See you soon.
Sincerely,
The best jump shooter ever from Lake Co.

Hey, Chris...Nick threw up a link to your page, so I was browsing...

You may not remember me, (and that is truly Ok - I was always around Rumors and rarely in class) but your accident touched my life, I remember getting constant updates on you from the Rumors crowd and how everyone was pulling for you. I think you touched more lives then you realize.

I never knew DSU let you back in for master's then hired you on to teach - Congrats. Professor Olsen - wow! Pretty sure DSU wouldn't do the same for me....Are you scanning your students looking for the slackers like ourselves? I would have been second to last row - aisle seat...

Seriously, good to see that you are doing well....congrats on all your successes so far!!!

Hey there, just wanted to say hello. I am in one of my classes for communications and a student is doing a speech on drunk driving and I pointed him to your site to show how a person can recover from it and have several surgeries to improve movements. Anyway talk to you later!
jill

Haven't visited the site in a while. I always love taking a look...where are all the hot chicks???

Hey Chris,

Just stumbled upon your site. Wow, man you are an amazing person- your depth in your website with all your profound thoughts is amazing. Thanks for sharing that with me and the world. I don't get home hardly ever but next time I do it would be great to see you. Much love,

Jud

Hi, Chris!

I stumbled onto your site. It's really looking great!

Hiya! Browsed on over to your site from TFark. This is amazing, and I mean the layout and the content. I work in physical therapy and though I do outpatient only now, my grey matter does recall learning about and working with people with SCIs. Kudos to you (omg,...I'm talking like this is MySpace, lol!) for the strength and fortitude to survive and to excel. Kudos also to your wonderful family and friends for supporting you. Take care and see ya on teh TF!

Jen

I laughed my ass off at your totalfark profile, and I ended up visiting your site. You tell your story with an amazing voice.

Dear KIAW;

Great to see you in chat. Your site makes mine look like child's play. LOL. I am proud to be humbled by you.

I am gonna send you a Photocast from my iMac. You will figure out how to open it in your PC.

Love you man.

John

I came across your story in a Fark thread and when I started reading your site I found myself really impressed and touched by your attitude toward life, and I read the whole site right then and there. So greetings from this inspired Farkette!

Mister Olson havent heard from you since softball ended drive by all the time should stop I know. Good old Vikings gotta lovem.
F&M forever
Caden and Kelly says Hi

I just was stopping by to say hello. I haven't talked to you in forever. :) Hope things are still well.

Carrie

Hi Chris,
Loved the website, despite that circumstances that drove you to create it. I've spent time interning at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and met a lot of people in similar situations to you. As a result, I'm a big supporter of striving for a cure and for advances with stem cell research. My thoughts go out to you for all you've been through, all you're now doing, and for the memory of Tana.

Sincerely,
Kelly

P.S. Like the last name too

Hey Chris,

I met you last year at Gina Wiese's wedding. I'm the guy from California, doing the photography. Great site!
I'm coming back to SD again in Aug/06. Hope to photograph all around Lake county and futher.

Kevin Wright

hey brother,
good seeing you at Lakodia. Probably see you later this summer. Seth sez hello and that he has a better jump shot than me, but we know that is not true.
later, fuzz

I'm back Babie!! (Since your such a Seinfeld buff, and so am I, that's a little Frank Costanza for ya.) It's only fitting since I'll be viewing everything from here on out. To many damn interesting thoughts going on in your head for me to miss out on! Love the pictures of all the hotties you post as well. Of course I'm talking about you don't cha know.

Hey Chris love the site! Great to see your strength, spirit and wit showing through. Hoping to actually make it back to South Dakota in May. I'll come down and see you then.

hey chris...came across your website after noticing you in a thread on TF. Your insight intrigued me so i had to come by. i've learned much in my stay here and found myself wrapped up in your pre and post story. thank you for your courage and your wisdom. much peace, eric aka newmoonpuppyhead.

Hey there! Great pics! Love the web site! Wish mine were as good as yours... oh well maybe someday my dreams will come true.
Weisser

cabaaah... i stumbled on your site for the first time this afternoon. i have been soaking up everyword. i love your assessments on childhood. i wish we were still hangin out at spies, slammin mt. dews and playing bubble bobble. keep the spirit alive... you have always been an incredible individual. we'll have to get together for a game of poker someday soon. Your sisters boyfriend Zerfas isn't much of a poker player so we will have to invite him and take his money. take care chris

Crap we wrote this awesome addition to your guestbook and the damn thing erased it and I'm pissed. Just kidding. No we really did and we can't remember anymore so we won't write it again. So later tater. CHristy and Jennifer

Dear KIAW;

I will miss your blog and especially all the beautiful women whose pictures you post.

I like the secret password idea. Though others might sell it behind your back.



Best of luck Professor Olson!

John

Hi, Chris, I am very sorry to hear about your accident and my prayers are with you. My name is Irene and I grew up in Elkton, SD. My 19 y/o son Patrick was injured playing football with friends on March 29, 2005 and suffered a C4-C5 spinal Cord injury. He is currently on a ventilator and just entered a rehab hospital at the University of Michigan 2 days ago. He had to wait so long to go to rehab becuase the UofM is about the only place in Michigan that takes patients on ventilators. He has shoulder movement and movement in his biceps - more on the left though. He is still unable to eat on his own, becuase he keeps failing the swallow tests. He has just recently started to laugh and smile and interact with us again. He is very excited about starting his rehab. If there is any advice or guidance that you could give me as a mom or to him, we would really appreciate it. Thank you so much and God Bless you.

Sincerely,
Irene Middleton

Hi Chris;

I was sorry to learn you had passed away. I like the top one better.

John

My son Jeffrey just had the transplant in Beijing last week. He is a C5 quad with no movement from the neck down. He seems a little down and homesick right now. Did this happen to you. Does it take a while before you notice any sensation???
What happened for you sounds great. Keep up the good work.
Thanks

Hang in there man. I am recovering from a similar injury but not quite as final as yours I was injured in a MVA multiple roll over and fractured my neck in the same c5-c6 area, had the fusion surgery, and now I am walking and moving everything but im still working on my weaker left side. As most people tell me, I shouldnt be doing the things that I am doing. That doesn't mean that I cant do them.

Stay strong man

Hey Chris-
It took me a while, but i finally got to your site! I love it! It's awesome! I can't wait til the next Kory and the Fireflies concert, I hope to see you there!
-Your concert buddy-
Mandy

You have a very inspirational web site.

Chris,

Congratulations! It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage for you to even attempt that procedure. I also had an SCI at the C4-C5 level, football injury. I was diagnosed with a Central Cord Syndrome. In a nutshell, the paralysis remains in those nerve roots only. Strange! But I jus wanted to wish you the best of luck!!!!

HI, I was researching Dr. Huang's surgery for my brother and found your site. My brother is 34 and was in a MVA and was paralized in Aug/04 and his story is a clone of yours. Thrown from the vehicle, head hit first, broken neck, ventilater, feeding tube...unbelievable! We need him to get to China. Any thoughts? Your site has great info. Thanks

Hey goodlookin! You have done a wonderful job with the website. The pic's are great! You'll have to let me know if you are going to be coming back my way, I'd love to swing by and say hi!

Chris~

I am so amazed by you & your strength. You are a wonderful guy....I can tell even though we've only 'spoken' a few times. ::hug:: See ya later bud.

Carrie

Hi Chris;

Thank you for the post on April 26th. Your writing is so strong and your mind is clear.

Peace,

John

Hi Chris,
Great site you have here!
I have a teenage son who recently became
a parpalegic. Complete T12 ASIA A injury.
He is scheduled to go to China this coming Jan. and have the OEC procedure done by Dr Huang. I was wandering if you have had any side effects after post transplant and if you could offer any advice.
Thanks for your help!
AS

Hi Chris,

I accidentially happened upon your site a while back. Thank you for sharing your story and your life experiences. You're actually a really good writer. Clearly, your purpose in life is to teach and touch people - in a way that very few others are able to do. You also have exceptional taste in movies (and ladies, apparently). God Bless and keep it going.

Lorin in Los Angeles

Hey Chris, Great web site and very helpful to us others with injuries. I'm planning to get the surgery in Bejing also and I'm excited. I hope you'll continue to improve and gain gain gain dude! Thanks for helping us all at the Care Cure!

Great site Chris!

Hey man! Glad to learn you still got it! Are you up on the kickass Rally/March occuring in DC on April 12th? Check it out on CC or at www.cureparalysisnow.org. We love ya! John