We're Hugging You with our Hearts
by Sheryl Young

Light & Life Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008

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Kari Morris-Guzman, an associate pastor at Brookside FMC (Redlands, CA) knows all too well how life can change in an instant. Hers did when she became paralyzed, and now she lives for the Lord with a renewed sense of faith and a heart for helping others.

In July 2005, Morris-Guzman and her husband Aaron had an active outdoor lifestyle, enjoying hiking and road trips. But just two weeks before Kari was scheduled to leave on a short-term mission trip to Ethiopia, she and Aaron found themselves in Kansas for a friend’s wedding, trapped under their upside-down rental car, hanging by their seatbelts.

“Aaron had swerved to avoid a pickup truck. Our car went off the road and flipped,” Kari recalls. “My legs were in a strange position and I couldn’t feel them. I knew my neck was broken.” Aaron, less injured, says his first thought was, “I’m going to take care of Kari.”

Q:How did you first react to finding out you were paralyzed?
A:At first there was shock. Of course, there were moments of despair, but I never remember being angry or bitter, because immediately there was a huge net of support around me from family, friends and the church.

Q:How are you coping with your physical challenges?
A:I can’t move my forearms, hands or legs. I only needed a ventilator for two months, so now I use a “sip and puff” wheelchair driven by my own breath. A tray holds my computer and cell phone, with a choice between voice activation or typing with a mouth stick.

Q:How have you adjusted your activities and home life?

A:After months of painful rehabilitation and learning how I’d get around, we’re on the road again and “hiking” in wheelchair-accessible national parks! For a while, Aaron did all the household chores and took care of me besides his teaching job (middle school band and orchestra). He sacrificed a lot. But there’s some home help now, and I’ve taken over things like paying the bills to give him some time back. Our marriage is even stronger than before. I understand only about seven percent of marriages with such physical hurdles survive. But we’re truly “one;” with Jesus in the mix we’ll be fine.

Q:Do you feel God has replaced old gifts with new ones?
A:I’ve moved from youth ministry to doing counseling of all types. God has given me more sensitivity toward the many challenges people experience — physical or otherwise — and I’m better able to connect with them. Also, at the time of the accident, I had three classes left toward my master’s degree in divinity, and have now earned it from Azusa Pacific University!

Q:What can you tell others with spinal cord or similar injuries?
A:Allow God to restore your sense of wholeness. What helps most is remembering that I am still God’s creation — made in His image. A changed body can’t alter that! There’s a great sense of physical and spiritual brokenness, but Isaiah 43:1-3 reminds me who I am to God. He can restore your dignity and peace. When people stare, just keep your chin up. You are still His child.

Q:How should people respond to someone in wheelchair?
A:Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Shake hands, give hugs — touch is so important. We may not be able to hug back, but we’re hugging you with our hearts.▪

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