On a sunny February day in 1963, Dan Ohlson’s life changed forever. At just 18, a chairlift accident left him with a spinal cord injury (SCI), altering the path he had imagined for himself. For decades, Dan faced life with quiet courage—earning his degree, building a 30-year career in public service, and raising a family. Throughout that time, he didn't see the value of connecting with other people in similar situations. For 55 years, Dan lived keeping the frustrating struggles of life with SCI locked inside, even from those closest to him.
Then, in 2018, everything changed. His wife Carolyn encouraged him to attend a meeting of the Here and Now Project. At first, Dan went for her—but what he found was a room filled with people who not only understood his struggles but mirrored his unspoken fears and untapped strength. It was a moment of reckoning, and as he shared his story for the first time, the weight of years spent alone finally lifted.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Dan admits, reflecting on those early meetings. But it was also transformative. For the first time, Dan felt seen—not just as someone navigating a spinal cord injury, but as a friend and mentor with immense wisdom and encouragement to share. Though he initially believed he had “nothing to offer” to the younger members of the group, they showed him otherwise. To them, Dan’s story was proof that life may unfold in unexpected ways, but each chapter holds its own opportunities for meaning, connection and joy.
At 79, Dan exemplifies the spirit of the Here and Now Project through his unwavering commitment and compassion. He attends every meeting he can, showing up not just for himself but for others. He shares his journey with honesty and humor, offering hope to those struggling to find their own way. The connections he has built have given him—and countless others—a renewed sense of purpose. “You have to give yourself something to look forward to,” Dan says. “Even when life doesn’t go as planned, you can still choose to laugh, to care, to keep going.”
“Dan’s become a pillar of experience, strength and hope at our events,” says cofounder and executive director of Here and Now Project, Kenny Salvini. “His story illustrates that it’s never too late to find your community.”
December 3, 2024
This Giving Tuesday, honor Dan’s journey and the countless others like his by supporting the Here and Now Project. Your support ensures that people navigating spinal cord injuries can find the community and courage to “do life”—not alone, but together.
Donate today and be part of the movement that transforms lives. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are Here and Now.
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