Jesse Billauer’s story is one of the most inspiring tales of personal triumph. The obstacles he’s overcome to become the person he is today put so much of everyday life into an entirely different perspective.
On March 25th, 1996, Jesse went surfing before school. The day was perfect: no one out and pumping waves. He fell on one and hit his head on a sandbar. “It felt like a tuning-fork hit me,” he says. “I was just hoping to turn over.” Jesse was paralyzed. The sixth vertebrae in his neck was broken, and his spinal cord was severed. The doctors told him he would never walk again.
But despite all he’s been through, Jesse’s happy. He’s still surfing. He’s in love. And he has a new team. “Instead of the individual sport of surfing,” he says with a smile, “now you’ve got your team.” Join Jesse’s team at Red Bull’s Wings for Life World Run, and run for those who can’t. 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to the Wings for Life foundation, which funds research into curing spinal cord injury.
