May 13, 2004

Motorcycle accident shapes inspirational character and career of Lee Williamson

Wheelchair athlete shares cautionary tale of mixing alcohol with driving

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Facing what many consider the most difficult plight in worldly existence, Blossom Valley’s Lee Williamson has chosen a different view—that of a champion. Currently Williamson, a gritty paraplegic seeking no physical favors, is flourishing in a restored athletic career and has found new solace in an old faith with fresh purpose.

“I can do anything you can do,” Williamson said, addressing the walking public. “Sometimes people see me loading up groceries in my van and they ask, ‘Can I help you?’ I always say, ‘You wanna help, pay my mortgage.’”

Williamson, a city of San Jose recreational leader by day, is the sixth man on the 2003-2004 Division II National Champion amateur basketball team, the Golden State Road Warriors, part of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA). A defensive specialist affectionately and commonly called “Flea” by teammates and opposing coaches, he received the 2004 National Tournament Sportsmanship Award for unselfish play and demonstration of outstanding attitude.

“Wheelchair sports have helped me so much,” said Williamson, who has been paralyzed from the waist down for nearly 15 years. “They’re a great challenge, and really, that’s what life is all about. Everyone needs to challenge themselves. From that, you learn and become stronger. You move forward and you avoid being stagnant. In my case, I was faced with a big challenge. I learned that sometimes you have to lose all of the good things in life to get the best thing—Jesus.”

On Oct. 15, 1990, Williamson suffered the motorcycle accident that left him reluctant master of useless legs and a scared, scarred young mind. The one-time mistake of drinking and driving, that same mistake risked by thousands each year, had claimed his ability to walk. Williamson’s life as he knew it had changed forever.

“It took me a long time to get right,” he said of his healing process. “After I got out of the hospital, it wasn’t too long before I was right back doing drugs and drinking. But I realized some things along the way.”

After the accident, Williamson spent time in introspective solitude. He recalled the time, a few months before his own life-altering accident, when his father was diagnosed with cancer. He remembered how sad he was in the time following his father’s death, specifically the time he got drunk and was unable to visit his father’s bedside the night he died. Eventually inertia’s blaring silence and Williamson’s entertainment of painful regrets led to a conclusion of sorts.

“I came from a good family,” he said. “They were religious and tried to help me along that path. But during high school I knew I had rebelled. I needed God.”

According to Williamson, he had fallen into a common trap for paraplegics. He had drifted from the things that made him happy. He had forgotten who he was.

“I realized I needed help dealing with these things,” he explained. “Sometimes people are unwilling to admit where they are wrong and fail to fix the problems. I knew I needed help. I looked to God. I got help from the people at church, from my family, my brother. Those people helped me accept my challenges. They helped me remember my personality.”

The initial healing process grew from friendly chats in the comfort of home into competitive sports with other physically challenged athletes. Now, 15 years later, Williamson is responsible for the city of San Jose’s adaptive sports programs and has won several NWBA Championships, including a 2001 Division I title.

A true survivor and a man convinced there’s a greater good, Williamson recently sought one more challenge for his time: that of First Step youth group leader.

The Journey, a sister church of the Church of the Chimes (COTC), recently launched its First Step youth program, encouraging middle schoolers (grades 6-8) to meet and explore spirituality every other Friday night at COTC, located at 1447 Bryan Avenue. Still in the fledgling stages, First Step encompasses several traditional aspects of church combined with a new and improved method the directors feel connect more closely with today’s youth.

“Kids today come from a myriad of backgrounds,” said First Step co-director, Karen Isaacson. “It’s important that they feel comfortable in church. It’s important that kids explore the spiritual side of life. I like to call it ‘fupth.’ Half fun, half depth.”

On May 7, First Step met for its first annual “Weird Talent Show,’ hosted by Isaacson, Williamson and fellow co-director, Kent Ezell. The show attracted some of the finest weird talents in South San Jose, ranging from classic guitar strumming to hula hooping to temporarily dislocating a shoulder.

After the fun, Williamson shared his life’s story, offering inspiration and hope to his young charges.

First Step meets every other Friday at the Church of the Chimes. For more information, contact Karen Isaacson at (408) 629-7373. For more information about Williamson and the NWBA, visit www.nwba.org on the Internet.