Hello, my name is Austin Charters and I am 25 years old. I am currently a full-time student pursuing my degree in Business Administration. I am an entrepreneur at heart, and I plan on opening my own business after graduation. Outside of school, writing and cinematography are a huge passion of mine. Writing gives me the freedom to express the emotions that my body can’t physically achieve, while cinematography allows me to put those expressions on a screen. Writing a script, directing, and editing are all exciting elements that appeal to my creative nature.
On October 1, 2006 I was shot in the neck during a freak hunting accident. This injury has rendered me a C5 quadriplegic. Before my accident I was an extremely happy, funny, and energetic kid. I loved to ride my motorcycle, race my BMX bike, hunt, paintball, snowboard, and play all kinds of sports. I was also in my first year of running Cross Country at school, and was planning on doing the L.A. Marathon. I was a huge competitor in all aspects of my sporting “career.” Whether it was competitively racing my motorcycle, or competing in a school sanctioned event, my goal was always to push my limits and be the best person on the field.
Many people are unsure of what my abilities are and how to act when they are near me. It can be difficult sometimes to show them that I am a normal person just like them. I can still do a lot of the same things that I used to do, except a little differently now. I am determined to overcome my situation and show the world that this thing we call “paralysis” is not a term to describe the sick and disabled, but merely a phrase that describes our new “normal”.
It has been a long hard battle to get to where I am today, with many major obstacles in my way. I have been hit with tragedy, triumph, and everything in between. No matter what happens in life, I know I will be able to get through it with all of the love and support I continuously receive from all of my family and friends. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.