HOUSTON - It was 29 years ago this month that Kevin Saunders’ life was changed forever.
"Thanks to the good Lord I got a second chance," said Saunders.
A grain elevator explosion left him paralyzed from the chest down so that second chance wasn’t going to be easy.
"Physical injuries didn’t kill me," said Saunders. "The self doubt and the deep depression that I went through almost did."
But a wheelchair race a year after the accident in Georgia changed all that. Since then, Kevin has made it a mission to encourage everyone, especially young people, to stay active and never give up. A message he learned through fitness.
"It means a great deal to me to be able to help the young people, to be able to make a difference in the communities across America," said Saunders.
Kevin has been all over the world spreading his message, but here in Houston he met boxing instructor David Gilmore who is showing him a sport that is very different than anything he has ever tried before.
"He said I want to hit the mits with you and I reacted, well, I didn’t even know you could hit the mits or not," said Gilmore with a laugh. "We got together and it was such a blast being with him and it’s something that is very exciting for them to do, I enjoy it."
"I think we all need motivation whether we are in a wheel chair or whether we are not; we’re all challenged in some way or another," said Saunders.
Kevin just hopes he can help others, find theirs.
