Inspiring Court of Honor - April 4, 2011

Starting off with a great job by master of ceremonies, John Cardenas, tonight's Court of Honor inspired.

After Jonathan’s SPL remarks, guest speaker Mr. Manuel Cardenas treated us to a recounting of his dreams and achievements in Ecuador, and how an accident transformed his life and the lives of many others.

Cardenas’ dream, from an early age was to become an elite member of his country’s military, a paratrooper. Though he achieved that dream and became a commander, and jump instructor with over 600 jumps, there was something that not only changed his thinking, but his destiny.

Mr. Cardenas beloved friend, a fellow member of the paratroopers, was injured (and crippled) as a result of a jump, and became paralyzed. As Cardenas explained, he felt powerless to help, despite his position  and authority, there was nothing he could do to aid he best friend. For over two months he tried to find a wheelchair for his comrade, but was unable to obtain one in Ecuador, so he traveled to the U.S, and found his calling – empowering and transforming lives through mobility, and then changing attitudes through sports.

What began as simply a means to help his friend turned into a mission to help others in the same situation. Mr. and Mrs. Cardenas worked tirelessly, and eventually shipped over 800 wheelchairs back to Ecuador at their own expense. Then, realizing the transformational power of sports in building confidence through physical skills, Manuel Cardenas formed an organization called “Momentum International” and, with the aid of a United Nations grant, began manufacturing and providing wheelchairs for sports to the disabled throughout his country, and internationally.

Momentum was a good name for what Cardenas began in a small way, but has grown and contributed to the mobility, freedom, and confidence in many, many people, and has been a part of the Paralympics by creating an organization for disabled athletes in Ecuador.

Since emigrating to the United States, Mr. Cardenas has continued to serve and contribute with Momentum, and by publishing a weekly paper highlighting immigration issues for Spanish-speaking peoples that has now reached a circulation of over 70,000 in the U.S., Spain, and Ecuador.

We picked up several lessons from Manuel Cardenas:

• Despite humble means, you can achieve your dreams if you work at it, and don’t lose sight of the goal.
• Be open to what God is asking of you: Mr. Cardenas said, “As a human, a Christian, and a person, you have a responsibility to help.” The love of his brother in arms and best friend gave him an opportunity to do even more, and he took it.
• We all take for granted that we are mobile, but that is a temporary state, for almost all of us are likely to be disabled in some way – appreciate what you’ve got, and make the most of it. But if calamity befalls you, or someone you know, it’s a change, not the end.
• He is able to run an international newspaper in a niche market with the use of a personal computer from his home. What could all of us, similarly motivated do for our communities or others?
• Consider wheelchair collection as a service project. Your efforts may give a new life to someone in need.

---

Items of interest:

Stephen is congratulated on his Eagle achievement

As of 3/2/2011, Stephen Wolford is our newest Eagle Scout! Please give him (and his parents) congratulations on a job well done!

New 743 OA Members! Aj, Christian, and CJ are now members, and are schedule for the OA Spring Ordeal at the end of this month.