Eric Shairs & Family

Driving at Last!

ericshairs — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:31:26 +0000

I have been street legal for a while and now I have the hardware to flex this independence. Due to the generosity of many people I purchased a Chevy Uplander. This minivan allows me to load up – drive – unload independently. Amy, Cala & Presley are just as pleased as myself. It had been 2.5 years since being behind the wheel……having something taken away can fuel a fire on the inside, and this is what drives a person to dig in and regain what was lost. The sad part of this situation is that once a person regains what was lost complacency settles and that fire inside goes out. Point being I have more to do/regain and my fire inside will continue to shine. The dilemma of transportation has been solved and now it’s time to “move it on down the line” to tackle another issue……….and you better believe I have quite a list to choose from.

Thanks for your continued support!

Shoreline 5k – thanks

ericshairs — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:27:57 +0000

At 9.00am on Sunday, May 4th there was a strong rain and brisk chill. This was no deterrent to the 241 participants/crazies who attacked the 5k/3.2 mile course that weaved in and around the Shoreline of Beverly, MA. The planning and execution of this fundraiser took the help of MANY, but I need to call out 1 person who was the driving force from beginning to end, Andrea Listro. Thanks Dre and everybody that helped bring this to fruition. This link http://www.coolrunning.com/results/08/ma/May4_Shorel_set1.shtml will bring you to results/details for the race. The top 3 times were under 16min. 44 sec. = a pace under 5min. 24sec. per mile…..ridiculously fast.
Born and raised on Lovett St. in Beverly this race was in “my neighborhood”. Many times I walked, ran, biked or driven these roads. But today (minus the landscape) the scene is different. I’m riding a grown man’s “tricycle” with 240 other people……some familiar & some not familiar, but all with kind hearts and for that I am a lucky man. The absolute highlight of the day came when I was travelling up Thorndike Street. At the intersection of Thorndike and Lovett St. I spot my 84 yr. old grandmother on the corner. Standing still in the cold rain gripping her umbrella, she was there for me. Knowing her ailments I knew this was not easy or safe for her…..but she doesn’t care. After a kiss and short conversation I rolled away with an untouchable feeling of comfort and self-worth.

Thanks to all for your participation!

Driving Time!

ericshairs — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:55:28 +0000

The process of finding a vehicle and modifying it for my disability has been frustratingly comical. But the end is near. I bought a Chevy Uplander (minivan) and it is currently at the first of two modifiers. Due to multiple fundraisers this has been made possible. My wife and I decided over a year ago that sourcing a vehicle for me will take priority. The amount of independence gained from this will be tremendous, the drawback of this decision comes in the form of money. With the help from family, friends and even strangers I have been able to get back on the road!

At this point I am 4-8 weeks away from bombing around town. This will deflate aggravation and stress on so many fronts. As a dad and a husband my “value” will soar. The word “value” in this context aggravates some, but I find it appropriate. As time passes post-injury I am conscious of gains I have or have not made, and I compare my debilitated status to who/what I was pre-injury. I know that this comparison may be unfair but it is consistently there. By having the ability to drive this son-of-a-bitch (no slam on you mom) has his value going up. And, yes,all of you who have been carting me around it’s payback time………just in time for $5.00/gallon gas. On second thought, maybe I should buy a horse.

2nd Annual Card Tourney-Special Thanks

ericshairs — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:56:50 +0000

The card tournament is in the books. We had approx. 65 heads participate to be the last person standing (very happy to see some ladies participate this year). Congratulation to the final 10 who made it to the Final table…..the last 2 standing were Che Harris and Bill Duratti. The crowd was undoubtedly rooting for Che, but Bill stood strong. Bill not only able to talk a good game, but was able to back it up by taking 1st place………well done Bill!

Thanks to the AOH, all dealers + Brad, Matt Marmen, Che and all for participating in the event. I did not play this year and just wanted to socialize, which I did…..but also threw back a few to many drinks. With my tail between my legs I retreated home sometime in the 11:00 hour. So many faces there just gave me the chills. Too many times in my life I do not take advantage of the company and laughter of friends, usually stating the lame excuse “life’s too busy”. There are very few positives regarding my spinal cord injury, but one is getting together at these fund raisers. Thank you for your support.

If anyone has any photos of the event can you send them along.

SHORELINE 5k road race

ericshairs — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:25:27 +0000

                                                                                           “Shoreline 5K”

Proudly presented by

North Shore Coast Runners

                                                           Sunday, May 4th, 2008, 9 a.m.

Lynch Park, Beverly, MA

Proceeds to benefit The Eric Shairs Trust

Time:                            Race Begins at 9:00 a.m.

Entry Fee:                     $20

Categories:                   M&F, Under 17, Open 18-29 & 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up

Awards & Prizes:         Overall winners and top three finishers in each category

Post Race:                    Awards, fresh water, juice, and fruit

Accommodations:         Mile markers, interim water stop, restrooms, and clock at finish

For questions and sponsorship information, contact Andrea Listro at 978-998-4131

To register online, go to www.shoreline5k.com

Deadline for entrants: April 30, 2008

All are welcome…..walkers, joggers, fellow crips! I anticipate riding my handcycle.  A nice active outdoor event to welcome warmer days. Please tell family and friends. As time goes on and this injury remains I continue to get stronger and gain independence. It was only a year ago that completing a 5k race would seem far fetched, not anymore. The support shown from the community has facilitated this recovery process…..thank you.

Card Tourney ’08

ericshairs — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:29:21 +0000

Please come join us for our 2nd Annual – Texas Hold ‘Em – card game. Last year was laced with laughs, money and competition. Details are listed below and do know that all proceeds will benefit my family and I. If you are not a card player, no worries, you’ll feel right at home. If you still do not want to play donations can be sent to Eric Shairs…..5 Ravenna Ave…..Salem, MA 01970 (checks to be made payable to: Shairs Family Suppl. Needs Trust).

Saturday, April 26th…..start 5.00-5.30…..Peabody AOH, 58 Lowell Street

$100 entry fee…..re-buys within first hour…..raffle prizes

approx. top 8-10 top finishers of 100 players will be paid out

To secure a spot easily reply on this blog ASAP or call Scott Shairs (978-376-0738) or Matt Marmen (978-502-4958) by April 11th. Thanks for your continued support.

Keep Hope Alive – THANKS!

ericshairs — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:29:08 +0000

With the hard work of many many people this fundraiser was a success. After expenses were paid we were able to donate $10,100.00 to Rutgers University and their Spinal Cord Injury Project. This project works to bring together research facilities, educational institutions, training programs, governmet officials, and corporate entities to work together to develop new therapies and to move the most effective treatments quickly to clinical trials. A critical force in accelerating the pace of research is the involvement of those who are spinal cord injured along with the support of their family and friends. Right now, stem cell research holds tremendous promise but it’s potential is being handcuffed by political and economical strains. With this event we officially stepped into the ring and joined the fight…..we will prevail.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support!

Christmas ’07

ericshairs — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:56:25 +0000

The grand daddy of all the holidays…..with 2 children aged 8 & 4 the build up to this day had been felt far before Thanksgiving. As a parent you hope that Santa fills all your children’s wishes and that your children look beyond the gift receiving and begin to show an understanding of this holiday’s magic…..family, giving, benevolence, love, appreciation, thanks, etc. After unveiling all that Santa had left we travelled to Auntie P and Uncle Ron’s. Then upon returning home we continued to celebrate with more loved ones. The day was enjoyed, but as expected the sparkle in my kids eyes was brightest when finding Santa’s gifts. Take a look……

RSVP Keep Hope Alive

ericshairs — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:27:22 +0000

The Eric Shairs Foundation and Rutgers University Stem Cell and Spinal Cord Research Project Presents
“The Keep Hope Alive Fundraiser”

Having a spinal cord injury (SCI) catapults a person into many situations, and one of which is fighting to find a cure. This fundraiser makes me an active participant in this fight. Half of all proceeds from this event will be donated to The Spinal Cord Injury Project / Stem Cell Research Center both conducted by Rutgers University. For anyone interested you can view details of each at http://keck.rutgers.edu/SCIP/scip.html http://scrc.rutgers.edu/.

Our choice of Rutgers University came way of Dr. Wise Young. I came to discover Dr. Young via www.carecure.org. I was directed to this website early and often during my rehab process. In brief, this site details the art and science of managing therapies, routines, medication, supplies, equipment and everything else needed to maintain the spinal injured person in top health. Since becoming a member at care cure my respect has grown for Dr. Young and upon finding his affiliation with Rutgers (founding director of W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience at Rutgers) I felt confident in donating accordingly.

As of today there is no definitive cure for “what is ailing me.” Stem cell research holds tremendous promise…..it just lacks the funding for proper Research & Development. With this fund raiser we will throw ourselves into the ring against a formidable foe, but with enough hands and consistent fighting we will triumph against the oppositional mindset holding back stem cell research. Thanks for your continued support and please let me know if interested in joining us at this event. Space is limited and I want to accommodate any-ones desired intentions.

Where:

The John Archer Estate at 10 North St. Danvers, Ma. 01923

When:

January 26th 6:30 pm. to 10:30 pm.

Honorary Guest Speaker:

Brock Reeve: Director of Harvard Stem Cell Institute

Attractions:

Live Music, Appetizers and Beverages, Live and Silent Auctions,
A Fashion Show, Dancing and more.

Donations:

Donations are $50 dollars per ticket and all proceeds from this event go to,
The Eric Shairs Foundation And Rutgers University Stem Cell Research Project.

Checks are made payable to The Shairs Family Supplemental Needs Trust. Donations will be accepted at the event or can be mailed to 5 Ravenna Ave., Salem, MA 01970

Special Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Flagship Merchant Services, Goldberg Properties and Archer Insurance

-this festive event has been written and produced by-

WWW.SURREALEVENTPLANNERS.COM

Thanksgiving ’07

ericshairs — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:12:31 +0000

Better late than never. I often forget I use this to track memories. Anyway, the older I get the better Thanksgiving gets. We had a great time at my mom’s house. Then enjoyed the second 1/2 of the day at home with my entire family. Once again everyone went a bit over board…….but hey, why not!

(above) the family in Mimi’s living room…I am 1 lucky guy!

Before the mouths got fed “the fruit of Amy’s labor” gets appreciated.