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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 20, 2018 15:00:10 GMT -5
Good to see his progress, and publicly walk a few steps for the first time since his game injury in 2015 |
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Post by Non Alum Dave on May 20, 2018 16:40:08 GMT -5
Beyond awesome
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Post by rgs318 on May 20, 2018 18:55:20 GMT -5
A beautiful thing to see...the strength of character he showed as well as his growing physical strength. He still has a long way to go. Please keep him in your prayers.
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Post by td128 on May 21, 2018 6:33:46 GMT -5
Wow. If that video clip does not increase your heart rate and blood flow, nothing will. The indomitable power of the human spirit is truly incredible. Seeing this clip inspires me to share a clip of my very close friend and roommate from our time upon the hill. Rob Tortorella was the captain of the Crusader lax team our senior year. He suffered a physically life changing accident shortly after graduation in May 1983. I will defer from further comment and let this short story and embedded video clip speak for itself: Rob Tortorella was just 21, and had just graduated from college, when his life changed forever. Now, he's hoping to change the lives of others.
Tortorella suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident 35 years ago next month. It happened just days after he received his diploma from Holy Cross. He has used a wheelchair ever since.
“I’ve had more support than anybody could have asked for,” he says. “Fortunately, the way I was raised I was taught to have a good attitude.”
A golf event Tortorella hosted Monday at Country Club of Rochester represents a new transition for him. Now 56, he's moving away from his role as CEO of his 30-year-old company, Corrosion Products and Equipment, to devote time to a new mission.
The Endless Highway Foundation will help break down barriers for children and young adults with physical disabilities.
“Providing opportunities for children and young adults to participate in rec activities, sports activities and the arts,” Torotorella says. “I want to remove the barriers that are still here.”
And if Rob Tortorella ever felt like the barriers were too much, he needed only to look at words tattooed on his arm: “Carpe diem,” Latin for, “seize the day.”
“Seize the day. Don’t put the future ahead of what's happening today.” Tortorella says. “I try to live each day, make the best of it and be thankful for where I am, be thankful the people in my life, and do whatever I can to do the right thing.”
More information can be found in a video produced for the Endless Highway Foundation, which you can watch here. 13wham.com/news/someone-you-should-know/someone-you-should-know-rob-tortorella |
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Post by purplehaze on May 21, 2018 11:31:38 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing - truly inspiring - everyone should click on this story !
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Post by cruskater31 on Jul 13, 2018 12:31:27 GMT -5
I worked at Georgetown for 3 years from 2013-2016. Sometimes the campus, with so many grad students, international students, and other folks seemed cold and silo-ed. Everyone caring about their own department or program. This injury and the response from the community really united the campus and brought attention to the program.
I worked with Coach Rob to arrange some liturgies and prayer services for the team and he truly cares about the guys on the field. Couldn't be prouder! Just wish he was on Chesney's staff!
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