Yoshi Tomoyasu was paralyzed below the waist on July 16, 2021, after a rock-climbing accident at Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky. He has no memory of the 40-foot fall. “Finding a Way Forward” tells the story of how the associate professor of biology at Miami University worked his way back to the classroom and lab after this life-changing accident. It also shared how the respected scientist, known for his research on insect evolutionary developmental biology, found support from the Miami University and Oxford, Ohio, communities—something Tomoyasu said was crucial to surviving the brutal transition to his new normal. It has garnered more than 6,625 views and received much positive feedback, including the following: “What a wonderful story of resilience, strength, and courage. His teaching goes way beyond the classroom, and he is an inspiration for all.” “It's not only a gripping story about a man who rose to the occasion after a climbing accident left him with a spinal cord injury. It's a profoundly important story, too, because tragic accidents like Yoshi's happen every day and bring diverse communities together, creating a force to be reckoned with." “Professor Tomoyasu's courage was augmented by support from his family, medical professionals, Miami colleagues, students, and the Oxford community. Together they demonstrated the power of love within the human heart.”
From the Judges
A beautiful, comprehensively told story. We appreciated the writer's effort to involve students in the story and the overall theme of resilience.
