Sports

(WCCO) Justin Greenwood was the picture of health, a strapping 22-year-old college football player at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he was a starting linebacker. That was four years ago before his life changed forever on a routine hit during a game at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

"On Sept. 27 is when I was going down on that kickoff and I took a little hit from the side. And they call it second impact syndrome and it slowly broke that blood vessel in my brain. And then I lined up in the wrong spot in the huddle and they were like, 'You're in the wrong spot Greenwood.' Then I just started walking off the field, collapsed and I went into a coma for like a month," said Justin, as he described the accident. "So many tubes sticking out of me, part of my skull was cut out, and when they put the skill back I had a grand mal seizure."

Justin's mom, Glenda Greenwood, was by his bedside throughout the three-month stay at Regions Hospital following his brain surgery. He was always focusing on the positive.

"Every day was a new day and the day before was gone. And I just kept moving forward. And I couldn't think about the past you cause you had to leave it there, otherwise you couldn't go forward," said Glenda.

"She's my advocate, my hero, my inspiration. Cause my situation kind of messed her life up pretty bad cause she couldn't work. It messed up our financial lives and stuff. But without her, I would not be here today," said Justin.

The long road to recovery has included nearly two years of tutoring sessions at Courage Center in Golden Valley. Justin's worked on relearning everything from reading to writing to spelling.

Lori Leininger, Justin's adult academic teacher, said he's a model student, who's made steady progress in all his studies.

"Justin's motivation has been an incredible asset to him. He has shown the redemptive power of someone who goes through something like this, an experience like this, and find redeeming qualities," said Leininger.

Doing volunteer work at the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota is how Justin hopes to educate others.

"I put these little information packets together," said Justin. "It just gives people information on places you can go, 'cause like I said, brain injury is such a common injury."

"I think what strikes me though about Justin and his work ethic is his attitude towards it. And how his brain injury has affected his life and how he's found a purpose within this new life of his. And I think that's really what he brings to working here at the association and the work that he does," said Lee George of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota.

Back at their apartment, Glenda's a proud mom who talks about how Justin's keeping on task with a fierce independent streak.

"He organizes his own life. I don't go to appointments with him anymore. He gets himself into the appointment, out of the appointment. I have to ask him what's going on sometimes, which is great. He's taking charge of his own life," said Glenda.

Justin's upbeat personality just won't allow him to feel the least bit sorry for himself. In fact, he's treating his recovery much the way he approached playing sports.

"I'm winning the more important game -- that's the game of life, right? I conquered death. Not very many people who would be talking fully functional like I am with severity. Fifty percent mortality rate, like the flip of a coin. You know what I'm saying? That's a bad injury," said Justin.

 

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