Hero of Hope: Remon Jourdan

A big thank you to the author, poet, and motivational artist Remon Jourdan for sharing his inspiring story with the Minutes for Memories team. Among his many accomplishments, Rey is the author of "Willie the Wheelchair," a children's book that delivers a powerful message: differences are things to be celebrated. To learn more about Rey, check out our exclusive interview with him below and don't forget to visit his website Reyality.com... 

MFM: Can you give us a little background about yourself?

Rey: I was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At an early age I had a love for music and poetry and that guided me to going to a choir school as a child. From 5^th grade to 8^th grade I was at the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School in Harvard Square. I learned about classical music, I played the piano, and I had the opportunity to sing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. My English teacher there catapulted my love of poetry by giving me my first poetry book, “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.  I like to use the same type of visualization that Edgar uses in my poetry, too; he really makes you feel the words. I then went to BC High and eventually graduated from UMass Amherst with an Education major and a Music Appreciation minor. Music and poetry have always been staples in my life.

A few years after college, I finally found my dream job. I was about to become a coordinator of music for weddings. I was really excited to have found a job that would involve my love of music. The weekend before I was about to start the job I was in a car accident and sustained a C4/C5 complete spinal cord injury and became paralyzed from the collarbone down. Unfortunately, I never actually ended up being able to accept that job. 

MFM: What inspired you to write "Willie the Wheelchair?" 

Rey: My daughter was 1 year old when I had my accident and I was always trying to find ways to communicate to her what had happened and what I was dealing with. I thought writing a children’s book would be the best way to do that. Writing had always been a major part of my life and I had written short stories and other things before.

When I completed the book she was 7 years old. At that age, I thought she was ready to understand what the book was about and to take the tools it offered her to communicate it’s meaning to her friends and others. My daughter loved the book. I had her okay all of the pictures in the book too so it was really a team effort.

MFM: Do you have any poems you have written you could share with us? The one you recited at the 2014 Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts competition was a really powerful piece. 

Rey: Sure, here is my poem entitled "A Better Place."

I can’t explain how I felt waking up in the hospital

Thinking this can’t be possible

I was just driving home, and I must’ve dozed

Because now I’m lying here with tubes in my mouth, tubes in my nose

And it just goes to show, to live life to the fullest

Because none of us really knows where life’s going to put us

And trust me I was hoping it was all a dream

But I kept waking up to the sound of my breathing machine

Three months in a medical ward specializing in spinal cord

A place without insurance, I could never afford

Doctors saying that I may never walk again

And how it's just a new beginning; and that it’s not the end

But it really was the end of my life, as I once knew it

I can’t change the past, and I've learned to live through it

It’s a reality that throughout life we all come to lose a lot

But you might gain a better parking spot

MFM: I see that you are involved with Easter Seals. How has this organization impacted you and how do you stay involved? 

Rey: A year after my accident, I started to think about getting back to my loves – poetry and writing. I realized it was going to be difficult with limited use of my arms. In looking for assisted technology, any means that could help me get my ideas down, someone introduced me to Easter Seals. Their Assistive Technology Department had software, mainly the Dragon Dictate Speaking, I could speak into and it would write my thoughts down. That was exactly what I needed to continue with my poetry and writing.

Easter Seals even set up all the environmental controls for me at home; remotes to things in my room, to the TV, the lights, the telephone so I could pick up and make calls, the AC, pretty much anything that used infrared around me they gave me access to with my remote. They were instrumental in making my environment and my life become more independent. They really gave me freedom during that time. I didn’t want to feel like a burden to people and they freed me up from those worries. That gave me a sense of independence I thought I had lost. 

I actually spent 4 years as a member of the Regional Board at Easter Seals. Currently, I’m an ambassador, going to different events and talking about Easter Seals to new members. They had a huge impact on me and I’m trying to pay it forward.

MFM: After the accident, what was one of the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome it? 

Rey: I would say the biggest challenge was regaining my independence. There was a lot of self-reflection to get to where I’m at. I had to just get out and try to regain some sense of normalcy. I had to push myself to do things even though I needed assistance. I had to learn to accept assistance from people and accept that there were some things I would always need assistance with and become okay with that. In finally accepting my new journey and where I was in life, moving forward from there and embracing everything that came with the new journey, that’s how I overcame it.

MFM: What advice would you give someone who has sustained a traumatic injury?

Rey: I would definitely say don’t be afraid to ask for help, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and, most importantly, don’t blame yourself for things that are beyond your control. I think that blaming myself for the accident and other things I had no control over was something that really held me back from progressing. Anything beyond your control, you shouldn’t dwell on.

MFM: Who is your Hero of Hope and how has he/she impacted you?

Rey: I have a few of them actually. The first person would be my daughter, Nerissa. She basically didn’t see anything different with me. Her vision of me was something that gave me strength.

Next, would be my mom and sister who opened their homes to me and gave me support throughout my journey. Along with my friends, my mom and my sister showed me that even though I needed some assistance, I should never feel afraid to ask for it. 

Finally, Adriana Mallozzi. She was on the board with me at Easter Seals for 4 years. She is what I call a “kick-in-the-butt person.” She doesn’t see any type of limitation. She says, “alright, it might be hard to get there, but it can be done.” She always gave me the extra boost that I needed to overcome any challenges that arose and get done whatever I needed to. I call her my Unofficial Manager since she always helps me see what I need to do to succeed.

MFM: What do you like to do in your free time? 

Rey: First and foremost, hang out with my daughter. I also like to write in my free time, which doesn’t sound right, but it’s something I like to do! I love to listen to music, go to concerts, read books, and watch movies, especially SciFi’s which are my favorite.

MFM: What's your success quote?

Rey: “I keep moving even when I sit still.” 

It’s my website quote, my mantra, my everything. It tells me to keep moving even when things seemingly prevent you from going forward; keep moving and you’ll find a way.

MFM: Other than Willie the Wheelchair, which is a book I definitely recommend, what book would you recommend for us?

Rey: The book I'd like to recommend is "How We Roll" by Tim Wambach.

MFM: What musician or song is most played on your iTunes?

Rey: I listen to everything so it would be hard to pinpoint one group.

You know what, I’m going to check my iTunes right now and see what’s number 1 on most played….alright, it’s a song called “Hold On” by Stacy Clark. It’s an awesome song that’s been really helpful since my accident. It’s about holding on tight to what keeps you strong and helps you move forward.

MFM: What's the best way for our readers to learn more & stay in contact with you and your initiatives?

Rey: My website is reyality.com. 

MFM: Rey, thank you so much for your time and sharing your story and talents. For all those interested in reading Willie the Wheelchair, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon.