Home Latest Stories Cole Schlesner: I would go through it all over again, simply because...

Cole Schlesner: I would go through it all over again, simply because I love my life now.

May 19, 2018

Cole Schlesner also wrote about his injury in a guest column in July of 2015…

On Sunday, May 17, 2009, the game of baseball almost took my life. I was pitching for my Cincinnati STIX 14u baseball team, something I loved to do more than anything else in my life. Right after I released a pitch, a hard line-drive rocketed directly back at me and the ball struck me directly in the head. I was originally conscious and coherent, but within minutes my condition dramatically changed for the worse.

Read the full column…

by Cole Schlesner,

Today was the 9 year anniversary of my injury. As always, I went back to Stottmann Field on Loveland, went out to the mound and said a prayer. It’s crazy that it has been 9 years! Sometimes it feels like it really was 9 years ago, and sometimes it feels like it was yesterday.

I’m so proud of myself and how far I have come, and it’s crazy to think that this time next year I will be a college graduate. Nine years ago, my parents didn’t know if I would make it through the night or even be able to live like a normal person again. I give all of the credit to God and my wonderful parents and family and friends who have been there for me ever since I got hurt. Without them, I don’t think that I would be where I am today.

I would go through all that I have all over again, simply because I love my life now.

When people ask me about what happened to me, they always say that they’re sorry to hear that I got hurt. To be completely honest with you, I would go through all that I have all over again, simply because I love my life now. I wake up every single day happy and excited to get in the shower, and I don’t know anyone else like that.

After I got out of school and before my second internship with Miller-Valentine starts, I chose to work for Loveland Excavating & Paving to see another side of the construction industry. I’m trying to gain as much knowledge as I can so that I know what exactly goes on in the different aspects of construction.

My Supervisor said this to me the other day: “Cole, it is incredible to me that after all you have gone through, you have remained positive. You make my day a million times better, and you make working here fun.

I spent last week on the paving crew, and I have gotten nothing but positive feedback about how much the crew liked me. Whenever I would show up to the job sites, I would notice that everyone was stressed out and quiet. After I would start my work, they would start to loosen up and started talking and joking around with each other. My supervisor said this to me the other day: “Cole, it is incredible to me that after all you have gone through, you have remained positive. You make my day a million times better, and you make working here fun. I don’t know how you do it, but thank you.”

I am so happy and glad to have found a career where I can spread my positivity, and knowing that I can make people’s day just by smiling and being myself has given me a whole new purpose and drive in my life.