08/11/2026
Sorry for the long post. It needed said
13 days from today is the anniversary of one of the worst injuries I had suffered. 2015 was the year, making it 11 years ago. I was riding my mountain bike on a BMX track with my nephew and my brother. My nephew asked me to follow him as my brother was yelling at me that I was going to get hurt. I laughed and took off. Little did I know that in just a few turns and jumps, that was going to be the last bicycle ride I was on. I landed way short on a jump and the next thing I knew, I was face down in the dirt dizzy and in a lot of pain. I had flown head first into the landing end of the ramp. My feet well, they went past my head and landed a bit further than the rest of me did, scorpion first class! I told my brother that," I need to get up this hurts and I cant breath." He said for me to stay where I was at, little did I know that he could see i had broken my back through my shirt. I laid in a hospital for two days before I could be operated on. 8/26/15 I remember going into surgery. I wake up in post opp. That was when I knew something was way wrong! I couldnt feel anything from my kidneys down to my toes! They were physically there but not there. I was paralyzed!! I went to a rehabilitation hospital for almost 4 months of occupational and physical therapy. Learning how to live in a wheelchair and how to cope with life as I was to know it from a different perspective. Always looking up and stuck at ass or crotch level depending what direction people were walking. I set goals at that time and I poured so much blood, sweat, and tears into those goals. With dreams haunting me in my sleep. Dreams of my walking down the halls and dreams of being " normal " again. Thise dreams finally drove me to try to stand again. That led to several falls and fears. But I never quit, I didnt give up. I did my own therapy at home and got a membership to a gym. I began a strengthening routine three days a week. That routine continues here at home 11 years later. There was a time that I wished to do what I am doing today. The mountains that I have climed and moved are nothing more than heaven sent and faith held. I am still in my chair and can walk with assistance. The walking is short distances and extremely difficult but I can. I always wanted to be a race car driver. I started racing side by sides and grew to love the tracks even more. Sadly the sxs circle track racing died off and I progressed into the car i have today. Tuff Nuff Racing #662 is more than just the car. Tuff Nuff is also my service dog, a German shepard who has been with since he was a pup. We have thousands of stories to tell but this post has grown long. Focusing on his needs and happiness gave me the excuse to forget my disabilities making us both stronger. This is why we are Tuff Nuff Racing #662. So forgive me if I am off pace or pulling a caution in the corners. I am driving way different than the rest of you out there. I have to drive by ear not feel, that my friends is not an easy deal. Thanks for the read and once I get healed up from my most recent L2 spinal fracture. We will be back on the track and driving on.
Brendan H. Beck
