News

By Tom Rader
Originally reported by WFMZ 69 News

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. - "It's a tough road. I've done a lot of hard stuff. This is the toughest yet," said Todd Gladfelter.

As many of us know, life can change in an instant.

"I fell off a roof three and a half years ago and broke my neck," said Todd. " I was told I'd probably never walk again."

"When I first saw Todd there was a hospital bed in his living room and he couldn't transfer at all," said Lynn Stewart Krieger with Inglis Home Modifications.

But just like how life can change over time, what we once loved can walk back.

"The fact that he's now walking 400 yards, the last time I saw him he could barely walk 40 yards," said Krieger.

"It's a constant battle to gain a little bit more," said Todd.

With changes in his home, Todd is not only walking, but riding, already racking up hundreds of miles along with his biggest supporter: his wife. And he's ready to share his story for good, advocating for more improved access on trails.

"Where at the point where we want to start doing adventures like we did before," Gladfelter said.

"Being able to ride out there with friends that are helping me is a big deal," he added.

The symbols of Todd's progress and recovery are everywhere you look out here at his beautiful log cabin home, including in the eyes of these owls.

"I have been carving now for a year and the owls I'm carving now actually look better than the ones I carved before I got hurt," Todd said.

Todd's now ready to head out on the next trek to Ohio and says the best thing you can do is go out with a friend and experience nature.

"Don't say that 'oh my knee hurts' or this and that. Just go out and enjoy it. Take a friend and have a picnic."