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#267 Surfer’s Myelopathy and a Second Life for Mike Fritschner Through The Swim with Mike Foundation

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Manage episode 489477098 series 2900483
Content provided by blinkofaneye. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by blinkofaneye or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

#267 Surfer’s Myelopathy and a Second Life for Mike Fritschner Through The Swim with Mike Foundation

Mike Fritschner was 15 years old when a family vacation in Hawaii took a sudden turn. After his first surfing lessons in shallow water, he was struck by surfer’s myelopathy—a rare, non-traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. In a single moment, everything he knew about his body, his identity, and his future changed.

In this episode, Mike shares how he navigated those early days of shock and uncertainty, and the role his family, faith, and community played in helping him move forward. He reflects on connecting with the Swim With Mike (SWM) Foundation, a turning point that gave him not only a scholarship to attend USC but a deeper sense of belonging and possibility. Mike opens up about rebuilding his life post-injury, finding clarity in unexpected places, and how living with SCI has shaped his approach to leadership and purpose.

Now a member of the board of directors of SWM and director of strategy in supply chain at AT&T, Mike’s story isn’t just one of overcoming adversity—it’s one of adapting, evolving, and discovering meaning in a life that turned out differently, but no less full. Listen in to his greatest tips for building a new normal.

Resources:

www.swimwithmike.org

More on Mike’s story

Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!

BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit:

A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel. Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.

To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

and www.BaltimoreMediation.com

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility:

For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation:

To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.

  continue reading

281 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 489477098 series 2900483
Content provided by blinkofaneye. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by blinkofaneye or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

#267 Surfer’s Myelopathy and a Second Life for Mike Fritschner Through The Swim with Mike Foundation

Mike Fritschner was 15 years old when a family vacation in Hawaii took a sudden turn. After his first surfing lessons in shallow water, he was struck by surfer’s myelopathy—a rare, non-traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. In a single moment, everything he knew about his body, his identity, and his future changed.

In this episode, Mike shares how he navigated those early days of shock and uncertainty, and the role his family, faith, and community played in helping him move forward. He reflects on connecting with the Swim With Mike (SWM) Foundation, a turning point that gave him not only a scholarship to attend USC but a deeper sense of belonging and possibility. Mike opens up about rebuilding his life post-injury, finding clarity in unexpected places, and how living with SCI has shaped his approach to leadership and purpose.

Now a member of the board of directors of SWM and director of strategy in supply chain at AT&T, Mike’s story isn’t just one of overcoming adversity—it’s one of adapting, evolving, and discovering meaning in a life that turned out differently, but no less full. Listen in to his greatest tips for building a new normal.

Resources:

www.swimwithmike.org

More on Mike’s story

Stay Connected: Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone interested in advocacy for SCI funding!

BLINK of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by BLINK of an Eye® Non-Profit:

A non-profit which originated the first SCI Navigator Program in the country for newly injured SCI Families by SCI Families as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days, weeks and months of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise or lived experience. They bring essential support, connections, life expertise and resources. BLINK of an Eye non profit deploys a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families and a personal SCI Navigator for 24/7 support in the first 90 days and throughout the Miracle Year. BLINK of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Wrap Around Team and SCI Expert Medical Panel. Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury. To find out more, get involved, or make a donation, visit www.BLINKofaneye.org.

To find out more about Louise visit: www.BlinkofanEye.org, www.BaltimoreMediation.com, www.BeingRelational.com

and www.BaltimoreMediation.com

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by New Mobility:

For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. Please visit https://newmobility.com/ to learn more

Blink of an Eye is sponsored by Baltimore Mediation:

To find out more about cutting edge conflict transformation skills courses to learn relational conflict theory and advocacy, mediation interventions and support for leaders and anyone navigating or facilitating difficult situations, conflict, or trauma, visit the website www.BaltimoreMediation.com and register for nationally certified 40 hour courses, including the Enneagram of personality for mediators to know themselves to stay neutral while offering opportunity for other’s empowerment.

  continue reading

281 episodes

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