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People
Tell Their Stories: No Excuses, No Limits Denny Chipollini Over a decade ago, I
experienced a series of life-altering events that started with a serious car
accident I was involved in which severed both of my legs. Doctors reattached both legs, but my
reattached left leg eventually had to be amputated due to massive injury and
infection. Today I refer to my accident
and leg as “gifts” because these events helped me to change my life for the
better! Two months after my
accident and while I was undergoing one of 15 surgeries to try to save my leg,
my wife was wheeled into the same hospital to give birth to our son,
Nicholas. Doctors told me I would never
walk again, but I refused to accept that diagnosis and instead started my own rehab
with Nicholas as my main motivation to walk again. With a lot of sweat and pain
I used visualization and whatever exercises I could do will laying
in a hospital bed. Nicholas and I learned how to walk together, something I
will never forget. Four years from my
accident, I ran in my first 5k with the use of a prosthetic leg to thank all my
family and friends that had supported me and my family through this difficult
time. But this incredible accomplishment was soon overshadowed by devastating
news about my son. Nicholas was diagnosed with
an incurable genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis (NF). NF causes tumor to grow
on the nerve endings of the body internally and externally as well. Lesions can
be removed, but usually grow back in clusters. There is a risk of developing
optic gliomas behind the eyes and brain tumors, to
names just a few of the possiblies. NF also carries
along with it, learning disabilities, ADHD and Tourrette
Syndrome as well. I did a lot of
soul-searching to find the positive in what was happening, and as a result I realized
that I could share my personal story of confronting and overcoming adversity to
inspire others, especially children, to overcome whatever adversity they may be
struggling with. I also realized the
media attention I attracted when I ran the 5k, so I decided to use my ‘gift’
that was given to me in the accident to run marathons to help raise awareness
and funds to find cures not only for NF, but also for other childhood
disorders, diseases and disabilities. I also have a mission to educate people on
these disorders, diseases and disabilities so understanding can breed
compassion and acceptance. In 2001, in addition to
running in the Olympic Torchbearers Relay in I have turned a dream of
mine into reality by starting a non-profit organization called Generation Hope
to put my dreams into action by inspiring and educating kids and adults alike
to overcome adversity and accept
diversity with “no excuses and no limits” (that’s my motto for life!). In May, I successfully
walked and biked over 400 miles across the state of Pennsylvania (from
Pittsburgh to Philadelphia) to share my message of perseverance and hope, and
to model for kids and the country what it means to take action in your life to
help others—it’s my way of not just talking the talk but also literally walking
the walk! I have been fortunate
enough to receive many honors and awards including being an Olympic
Torchbearer, UPS’ Community Service Award, Ford Motor Company’s National
“Commitment to Kids” Award, “Distinguished Graduate” from the high school I
went to and being featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles and on
various news programs. I am honored to
be featured as one of the twelve inspiring stories in Montel
Williams’ new book, While these honors and
awards mean a great deal to me, being able to present in schools and share with
students my message is truly my greatest honor!
My motivational talks with kids in schools helps me to fulfill my
commitment to making a positive difference for kids by letting them see what it
means for one person to overcome adversity which we all face in one degree or
another, by sharing with them the importance of accepting and celebrating
diversity in themselves and others, and by motivating others to believe in
themselves to achieve worthwhile goals and to find the hero within themselves. And what is most exciting
to me is that I am seeing my efforts pay off with the most important people in
my life—my children—and the changes are especially evident with Nicholas. The past years in school were very difficult
for Nicholas because his classmates were teasing him with names (with NF, some
physical affects are freckling of the skin and so kids began teasing him by
calling him names like “freckle boy” and “freakazoid”),
bullying him, and isolating him from activities and friendships because of his
differences. What’s so unfortunate is
most of us, regardless of the generation we grew up in, can probably remember
kids in our classes that were different and rather than being befriended and
seen as the heroes they are for what it takes for them to get to school and
function at a level to keep up with others, they were instead teased, isolated
and picked-on. Part of my mission is to shift
this behavior and it’s happening with Nicholas!
I have given talks in
Nicholas’ school to help his classmates understand his disorder and to
challenge them to ask themselves if they would pick on someone who, for
example, has a prosthetic or some other difference or would they instead
befriend and help that person. With his
classmates having a new perspective and understanding, Nicholas is having a great
year in school and his grades and friendships are showing it! It’s living proof that my
message does have an impact on kids and it makes a difference. It motivates me
to continue sharing it with others. I am
committed to sharing with others my experiences so they can find ways to connect
with the compassionate and inspired side of life without having to go through a
tragedy. Now I am faced with
another challenge due to a blood transfusion, I received after my car accident.
I started a drug therapy, for hepatitis C, which can make me very sick
for a year. It is a life-threatening ordeal, but I will continue to talk to
kids. See, I work best when I have a challenge in front of me. We use exercise as a
family affair. My wife Suzanne, is an ACE certified
trainer and along with training adults, she is working on fitness programs for
children as well. Exercise and God's love have helped me to reach inside
myself, and in doing so, I can now reach way beyond the stars. “NO EXCUSES, NO
LIMITS" On the Fourth of
July, in
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