Kevin Saunders' Generosity to Benefit Future athletes
It was quite a homecoming for Downs (Kansas) High School Alumnus Kevin Saunders last Friday - one that he nor the people of Downs will soon forget. Kevin just 10 years ago Kevin was running on the dirt track that was here when he was in High School in the mid-1970's. A graduate of DHS, Saunders who spent his college years playing football, competing in track, soccer & rugby and going on to graduate from Kansas State University with a degree in Agriculture Economics was never prepared for what was about to happen.
1985 - Kevin Donated the New Track for his High School Alma Mater and the Waconda Unified School District 272 (where only a dirt track laid before)
After graduating from Kansas State University Kevin moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he began his career as a Federal Inspector for the USDA, inspecting some of the largest grain elevators in the world. But on April 7, 1981, a grain elevator explosion changed Kevin Saunders life forever.
Kevin Saunders was working in the Government building near the elevator at the time of the blast. Men and debris & huge pieces of concrete weighing over a ton were hurled hundreds of feet through the air, 10 died from the deadly blasts that ripped through the grain elevator at 1,500 feet per second. Due in no small part to excellent physical conditioning he survived and Kevin Saunders give thanks God for giving him a second chance. Saunders survived the blast, although he was hurled over 300 feet over a 2 story building onto a concrete parking lot nearly in the channel where huge cargo ships waited for their cargoes of grain. Doctors did not think he would live as he slipped in and out of a coma with massive internal & external injuries. His skull was crushed, back broken, lungs collapsed and had no use of one arm and either of his legs.
After almost a year of hospitalization, more than half of which was spent in a rehabilitation center T.I.R.R. in Houston, Texas where he regained the use of his arm and learned how to begin life again with a new body that was paralyzed from the chest down. To compound his struggle, he was forced to spend many months in a body cast and his wife left him.
But those ordeals did nothing to dampen his faith and competitive spirit. Today, he says he was "luckier than a lot people in that explosion," feeling fortunate he wasn't badly burned and is still alive. He speaks of his love of God, family and athletics, saying that he now "enjoys sports more than ever."
And he speaks with authority, having become one of the best wheelchair athletes in the world.
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| 1989 - 4 years later the DHS - Downs High School Track team went on to win their schools first State Track & Field Championship! |
Kevin Saunders generosity, while beautifully illustrated by his substantial donation for the new track at Downs High School, is certainly not limited to that project. Prior gifts include computers, shop equipment, audio-visual equipment and typewriters.
At Friday’s ceremony, he could hardly catch his breath between greeting old friends and athletes from other schools he competed against. He seemed reluctant to talk about his role in the track project, instead asking others if they thought it turned out well, or how have the kids liked it? Don Koops said that Saunders wanted to build the track so those who have the use of their legs or not would all have a facility to use whatever God has given them to the fullest potential.
Saunders said personal creed: Never Give Up! is best reflected in the message from the Olympic Games "The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but take part. The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle" Saunders added I hope this track will make the difference in giving these young athletes an opportunity to fight and struggle to become successful on fields of competition in sports and in life.
Wheelchair Success Foundation
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1990 - Kevin Saunders Founded the Wheelchair Success Foundation - (WSF) - to help provide college scholarships for wheelchair bound individuals. |
About the Foundation
Kevin Saunders established the Wheelchair Success Foundation (WSF) in 1990. He did so out of a desire to create something that would benefit others, now and in the future. It was because of the way he was raised. While growing up on a farm in Downs, Kansas, Kevin was taught how it's more important to give than to receive, and to treat others as you would like to be treated.
Following his injury, Kevin embraced the turning point of his life and forged ahead. He realized who he was and where he wanted to go. He learned to develop strategies and set goals to achieve his dreams. He became a world champion wheelchair athlete and top inspirational, motivational speaker, author and actor.
But another dream was to establish the WSF, Kevin wanted to help others who are permanently confined to wheelchairs be full participants in the game of life. Kevin wants to encourage and help wheelchair bound individuals receive college degrees or learn technical trades.
As Kevin says, "I know it is sometimes difficult and there are challenges and obstacles. Even people on their feet who have problems for various reasons want to give up. But other people with all kinds of disabilities and challenges have made it and so can you. It's hard to make the time to go to school and find time to study, but I encourage anyone to go in spite of all of the obstacles because you will better yourself and have fun."
Through the WSF, Kevin hopes to create a far-reaching ripple effect of positive results for those permanently confined to wheelchairs. He hopes to empower their lives and help them become thrilling contributors, rather than dependents of this great country. He wants to motivate wheelchair-bound individuals to take action, apply for a scholarship and reach their peak performance levels as they earn an advanced education.
"Thanks to God, I got a second chance in life. God wasn't finished with me. I got a chance to not only make a positive difference in my own life, but also in the lives of others."
-- Kevin Saunders
A Letter from Kevin
"Education was, and continues to be, a major force in my life. Education is so important to me, because it is the foundation for all my accomplishments. Going to college has shown me what courage, perseverance and determination really meant. In all my endeavors I continue to use the self-confidence gained from excelling in school. It is my desire to help all people excel in their life endeavors. I want to help other wheelchair bound individuals gain from education through the Wheelchair Success Foundation.
"Donations from great people like you will help the WSF grow and help more wheelchair-bound individuals gain the education they deserve. You will help them to prosper and be thrilling contributors to our society. So whether you're visiting this site to donate or to apply for a scholarship, thank you for visiting.
"Please help the foundation grow with an online donation. Or see if we have a college scholarship that can help make a difference and create a more promising future. Don't let the fate that has left you or a loved one confined to a wheelchair hold you back from achieving your dreams."
Best Wishes! For your continued education and success, 
