Throughout the history books of time there have been heroes who had changed the world by their outstanding courage and wits. It is by their endurance and determination that they stand out and give others hope like a candle in the midnight sky. I want to share a personal experience about an amazing hero I personally knew who had miles of ambition and enduring faith.
During my 7th and 8th grade years I studied at this small school called Napa Christian. I had many cool teachers who taught us in a way that entitled us to have fun at the same time. I know I’ll remember all of them till I pass my time, but one of them I will keep close to my heart wherever I go. He was, and still is, an ordinary teacher who went by the name of Mike Copithorne. The thing was that he was our bible, p.e., and history teacher. What was amazing was that he was in a wheelchair! His life story changed many lives and I wish to spread it so that everyone may know that no matter how tragic your life gets, even at the brink of death, it always serves a purpose. And before you know it there’s a better hope around the corner.
Mr. Mike Copithorne, Mr. C for short, was a famous snowboarder, skateboarder, and surfer in California. Playing sports for excellent money, his job was a dream come true. He had so much fame and publicity that agencies even paid him to wear their watches and clothes! He even knew professional skateboarders such as Chad Muska Tony Hawk! He was on ads, newspapers, in conversations throughout the region…he had it all. One thing was for sure, which he even told me himself, was that his path with God was blurry and vague.
One day he was offered a chance to snowboard (some other people said “skiing” but he told us he was snowboarding) down a steep mountain which was dangerous but, as extreme as he was, he took the chance and stationed himself at the peak. He took a deep breath and careened down the mountain path. He was doing fine until he hit a bump and lost control. He started to tumble violently down the steep mountain side. He was captured on video and he even showed it to the class. But anyway, when he got to the bottom (after countless seconds of tumbling) he was rushed to the hospital with a bruised body and some broken bones. He recovered after weeks of pain but was told he could never walk again.
All his fame left him; his dreams were broken, and just when things couldn’t get worst he received a phone call a few weeks later saying that his father died. His life was so bad that he said and I quote, “I wish I died during my fall.” He later told me that during that time was so in denial of his future that he, without thought, prayed to God like a whisper told him to. He later told us that from that point on he had his chin up high and had God carry him for support (just like “The Footprints on the Sand”) From that point on his relationship with God expanded to dimensions never before thought possible. His life after the accident was more rewarding and life fulfilling than the riches he had before. He told me that his lifetime on a wheelchair will never compare to the eternity in heaven.
I had the privilege of being a student under him and he helped me become who I am today. Because of him, his story had touched many hearts saying how no matter how hard life gets we will always encounter something a million times better. I am pleased to say that Mr. Copithorne is a Bible, History, English, and Physical Education teacher. I hope his story has touched you as well…his life will never be forgotten as an eternity in heaven’s eyes.
This is my teacher….and he inspired so many people. You can type his name and search for it on google and you’ll find his name. His video was even presented to a conference and was the winner of some thing…
