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Corey Obungen

In 2014 the Senate formally declared September National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month! In honor of Resolution 533, we are launching our monthly “Living Strong in the Aloha State: Spinal Cord Injury Stories that Inspire, uplift, and bring our community together.”

This month we are featuring Corey Obungen. 🌊. “Acceptance is not defeat. Acceptance is the start of resilience.” – Corey Before his injury, Corey was an inspiring student athlete: 3 sport competition, standout football player and 3x state competitor in wrestling. He went on to play NCAA D III football at the University of Puget Sound. Everything changed in June 6, 2010, after a shallow water diving accident at Lanikai Beach left him a C5-C6 quadriplegic. At just 20 years old, Corey faced the unimaginable: relearning everything and adjusting to a new way of life. “In the early days I truly believed I would walk out of the hospital. I think that is a feeling many of us have after SCI – it’s all unknown. But the hardest part is redefining your identity, especially in those first two years.” Through the years, Corey has continued to surprise himself: ✅transfers ✅Driving ✅Graduating College. ✅ Full Time Teacher ✅Living Independently ✅Coaching Girl’s Flag Football ✅Becoming an Adaptive Surfer. ✅Competing, mentoring and giving back.

But even 15 years later, Corey is still pushing limits, and helping others do the same. “Take it day by day. Let people help you. Say yes. Your story has value – more than you realize.” We are honored to share Corey’s story-living proof of what’s possible after SCI. Continue to follow Corey on his YouTube series… Corey O.

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