We are so pleased to introduce you to Kevin Rempel who has an incredible story of overcoming a tremendous amount of adversity. In 2002 his father Gerry fell from a tree while deer hunting leaving him a complete paraplegic one year from retirement. Four years later in 2006, after a motor crash that paralyzed Kevin, he had to learn how to walk again at the age of 23. Adding to this, he also had to deal with his father who was also living in a wheelchair.
After six weeks, however, Kevin willed himself to move just one toe, then another, and another, until he not only learned how to walk again, but was able to become one of Canada’s best Paralympic athletes earning a Bronze Medal at the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. Kevin Rempel is a 2013 World Champion and 2014 Sochi Paralympic Bronze Medalist in sledge hockey who has faced a difficult but optimistic journey from paralysis to the podium.
Giving Back to the Sport and Community
Today his inspiration is to help give back to the sport and community he loves so much, making the world a better place for people who live with disabilities. Kevin is the author of the book, Still Standing – When you have every reason to give up, keep going where he shares his journey to the Paralympics, the post Olympic Crash and what do to do when you feel like you have lost your purpose and direction in life.
Prior to building the Sledge Hockey Experience, Kevin’s career helping lead others began as a keynote speaker. After learning how to walk again, dig himself out of depression, and reach the Paralympic podium, Kevin was constantly asked what he did to achieve those goals, and so, The Hero Mindset Keynote was born.
Focus on the Small Things that Make a Big Difference
“Each of us have Hero Moments, Hero Decisions” and Hero Actions where we can all step up in our personal and professional lives to become the hero of our own movie. It’s about focusing on the small things that make a big difference, and the same strategies Kevin has used to propel his life and business forward, you can use too.
Kevin is also a blogger, and strongly believes that individuals and organizations thrive by not placing blame on other people, their surroundings, or external circumstances. They thrive recognizing the importance to choose the right mindset as they develop resilience when facing uncertainty.
For more information on Kevin’s book, Still Standing or if you would like to book him to speak at your next event, please visit kevinrempel.com or follow his journey on facebook at Kevin Rempel and on Instagram at: @kevinrempel.
Submitted by Kevin Rempel
This article is also featured in our 2022 Summer Issue of Sharing our Recovery
Kevin is a member of the Crash Support Network and we are so thankful that he shared his story with us. We look forward to keeping in touch with Kevin throughout his recovery and his journey giving back as he such an inspiration.
The Crash Support Network is a unique one-of-a-kind website consisting of an online support group, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter, “Sharing Our Recovery” as well as highly informative articles. Our platform is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.
