2011 CNN Hero: Eddie Canales – helping young athletes reclaim their lives after spinal cord injury

Eddie Canales stepped up, to be there for his son when he needed him most and hasn't left his side since.

Last Sunday night, the popular news channel CNN hosted its annual “CNN Heroes” Award Show where they honor everyday people, doing extraordinary things to change the world. As I wiped away tears after hearing story after story of each of these courageous individuals, one particular winner caught my eye.

Eddie Canales was in the stands as he proudly watched his son, Chris Canales, play football at his highschool where Chris was a senior. The crowd was roaring with excitement as Chris made a touch-down saving tackle in the last quarter.. but something was wrong. Chris laid on the ground, unable to move and unable to comprehend what had just happened. Chris Canales suffered a spinal cord injury and was told he would never be able to have full function of his lower body again. Instantly Chris’ father, Eddie Canales stepped up and did what he knew he had to do for his beloved son. He quit his job, became his full-time caretaker and dedicated his life to ensuring his son can still a fulfilled life despite his paralysis. Preservering through pits of depression and medical complications, Chris agreed to go with his father to a high school football game in hopes of seeing his favorite sport will cheer him up. In a disturbing twist of fate, during the game a player got hit and laid on the ground unable to move. Eddie and Chris knew exactly what happened. They both would later go on to visit the player in the hospital who also suffered a spinal cord injury. In that moment, Eddie knew what he had to do and that was how Gridiron Heroes was born.

After seeing what his son had to suffer through, Eddie Canales created Gridiron Heroes as a non-profit that helps atheltes who’ve suffered spinal cord injuries while playing high school football. Not only do they raise money for medical research on SCI (spinal cord injury) but they also provide emotional support to the injured athletes and their families.”

“We try to provide information, inspiration and hope,” Eddie said. “We want to make sure they don’t feel alone.”

As a community of spinal cord injury patients, caretakers and medical supply providers, we know the strain of having someone with SCI in your family and community. The burden emotionally and financially is almost unbearable and seeing someone like Eddie who truly took to his fatherly instincts to help his son and others like him, is beyond inspiring.

From everyone here at Experea Healthcare we want to say,
Congratulations Eddie Canales and best wishes to the Gridiron Heroes!!
You have been a great source of inspiration to us and to our community.

Want to read more about Eddie and Chris Canales? Click here
Want to get involved with Gridiron Heroes? Click here

By: Philia Pak
Experea Healthcare Blog Editor
(photo credit CNN.com & gridironheroes.com)