Community Corner
Wheelchair-Bound Mokena Father Nominated 'Best Dad on Wheels'
Brian Swift, who is a finalist in the Best Dad on Wheels competition, is also the author of an inspirational book.
Brian Swift, 51, has been a quadriplegic since he was senior in high school. A freak accident while playing football in 1979 left paralyzed from the neck down. He never let the situation interfere with his life.
The husband and father of three children, Swift has been selected by the Christopher Reeve Foundation as one of the top finalists in the 2013 Best Dad on Wheels competition. One of hundreds of nominees, Swift's story of courage and determination moved his name to the top.
For his wife, Monica, and their three adopted children—two boys, Spencer, 18, and Callaghan, 11, along with daughter, 13-year-old Sydney—he's been tops all along. A passion for sports, particularly football and basketball, Swift has been coaching kids for 20 years. Even before he had children of his own, he was coaching at his former high school, St. Laurence in Burbank.
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The players on Mokena's Burros football team as well as those on the Lincoln Way Xplosion basketball program for boys and girls have benefitted from Swift's sideline expertise. They also learned hands-on that a person's disability does not define him or her. Beyond the rules of the game, Swift said he looks at coaching as an opportunity to help shape young lives.
"Sports is just a gateway as to how to live life. Joining a sports team is a chance to learn real life skills: how to deal with adversity; how to pick yourself back up; how to work with a team."
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Swift isn't coaching this year. Instead he's in the process of editing an inspirational book he wrote. It's titled "UP, Getting UP the Key to Life." It's not a mere biographical account of a guy in a wheelchair who was an accomplished business professional and successful family man. Swift said in his book he reveals authentic experiences. It's story about having a positive outlook on life and determination. "It's all about getting up and moving forward," he said.
"For me, I look at as everybody's got something (to overcome.) I've been blessed that I've got a wife that makes my life look normal and easy. We're very lucky to have three great kids that help. My 11 year-old is out mowing the lawn".
Swift is one of 10 top dads nationwide that are associated with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The Best Dad on Wheels is a contest that looks to honor dads living with paralysis.
From now until July 7, the public can cast a vote for Brian Swift on the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation website. In addition to the recognition, the winner will also receive a $500 gift card from Tilt-A-Rack®, producer of Mobility hitch-mounted aluminum carriers to make the transportation of wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters easier and eliminate the need for trailers.
For more information on the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, visit the website. The organization is dedicated to funding research on spinal cord injuries.
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