Take some time this Mother’s Day to read Eric LeGrand’s message to his mom

Eric LeGrand is without question one of the most inspirational voices in the sports world. In the five years since he was paralyzed during a game, the former Rutgers football player has become a voice to those who needed it, a symbol of why it’s always worth fighting and a vital spokesperson for the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation. In November he wrote a heartfelt message to his mom, Karen, and today is the perfect occasion to read it.

It’s worth visiting The Mighty to read his full message. One chapter that had never been fully told in LeGrand’s story is just what his mother meant to him, or did for him during the most difficult adjustment period in his life.

“After my injury five years ago, you had a choice to make: Either let me figure out things on my own after being paralyzed, or take control of the entire situation and make sure I had the best of everything. You chose the second option, which meant you couldn’t work. It meant you sleeping on a tiny cot for five months at the Kessler Institute in West Orange, New Jersey, which to this day leaves you with aching back pains. You have to deal with my nurses, make sure all my delivered medical supplies are correct and on time, and take me to therapy, speaking engagements and radio shows all while trying to live your life.”

Karen LeGrand didn’t just make adjustments while Eric was in hospital, she became critical in ensuring her son returned to a normal life.

“I remember after I first got out of Kessler, when I was living in Jackson, you wanted me to hang out with my friends, so you drove an hour up north at 11 p.m., took me to the bar and went to your house 20 minutes away in Avenel. You waited until I called at 3 in the morning to pick me back up, drove an hour back down to Jackson and got me ready for bed. You really tried your best to help me adjust to our new lifestyle while also letting me enjoy myself as a young 20-year-old.”

Stories like this aren’t uncommon, but LeGrand used his platform to help shine a little bit on the amazing mothers out there who help their children well into adult life. Thank you Eric for sharing this, and thank you Karen for helping ensure the world got to know your son.