Share Koji's Story

explains it best. I refer you to WaLaHa’s story.

Koji is working very hard with his physical therapy. The team at Project Walk is very pleased with his progress. Still too early to say what the future may bring. Koji is in good spirit, full of hope and he continues to advance toward his goal. I wish I had his commitment and determination. Koji wants me to say, ” Thanks so much to all of you”, cards, letters and calls to Skydive Perris were most encouraging. He apologizes for not being able to say, “Thanks” in person, to each and everyone of you out there. If you only knew what a few kind words and thoughts have done for him. If anyone is interested in more info on Project Walk, here’s some contact info. You can call and tell the staff you are cheering Koji to Walk on 43things.
www.projectwalk.org/
Project Walk
2738 Loker Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Main # 760.431.9789
email: projectwalksci@sbcglobal.net
Walaha Father’s Day 2007

Only 45 to 60 minutes away and it’s still hard to work out time to visit my friends. This weekend I did visit a friend Koji Mizoi. Koji has been working as hard as possible to strenghten his body to match the strenght of his spirit. I watched this man smile and laugh with his wife. I listen to him speak of his therapy at Project Walk, full of hope and courage. There’s a broken body in a wheel chair, but I see a man standing tall and proud. I repect Koji for his determination, absolute enthusiasm.
I only hope to discover such conviction of self reliance. I don’t know if Koji will ever walk again, I do know he will stand tall over many others, the strenght in his soul will carry him through life with extraordinary presences.
Walaha 05.28.07

Did you every notice how out-of-stater’s say Cali? I never say that?!? It makes me think of the song,” I’m going back to Cali,Cali, ” LOL!
Anyway, Thanks for the invite, I did leave Koji a mesg. and heading down to San Diego on May 19th is very do-able for me. I’m out of smackers(it took me three tries to send out a note one time and I kinda used them up by mistake duh?) My brother lives in South Orange County and I need to stop by anyway :)

Friends and Fellow Skydivers:

Koji Mizoi, a cameraman and AFF instructor with more than 13,000 skydives, was paralyzed from the chest down on January 24, 2007. Fourteen years ago Koji Mizoi came to the United States, barely able to speak English, to pursue his dream of skydiving. Over the years, as a full time cameraman and instructor he has made many friends within our community and touched the lives of countless students also pursing the same dream. I was Koji’s AFF instructor, all those years ago, and have been proud to call him my friend. While the medical community does not think he will ever walk again, Koji – and many of his closest friends- believe that the impossible is possible! Koji’s medical care and the loss of his skydiving career have been financially devastating to his family, but he believes he will walk again. Project Walk SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) located in Carlsbad, California is considering Koji for their program. Many of us believe that the program at Project Walk SCI is Koji’s best hope and only option for a full recovery.

On April 28, 2007 a raffle/fundraiser will take place at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center in Perris, California to raise money for Koji’s medical care. We are asking those within our skydiving community to offer Koji the gift of hope, as we believe the power of encouragement can make a difference. On April 28, 2007, please let your best wishes for Koji be heard. Please give Koji hope from around the world by calling Perris Valley Skydiving @ 951.657.1664 and simply saying: “KOJI WALK”. We are also making a commemorative quilt of hope and need T-shirts from drop zones around the world. You can see a photo of a quilt that I had made to honor those killed in the West Wind Caravan crash on September 29, 1985.

Please reach out to a friend and fellow skydiver in need. Postcards with a message of hope, new or used skydiving T-shirts from your favorite drop zone and/or financial donations can be sent to:

GSC/KOJI WALK

PO BOX 4452

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729.

Please forward this email to as many possible well wishers and call the Perris Valley Skydiving Center (951.857.1664) on April 28, 2007 to give Koji your voice of encouragement!

The power of hope really can make a difference.

Blue Skies Walaha D11056

Wayne Hames

gscwaterdesigns@earthlink.net

Written by my 43things friend Dharma.

Through a 43things friend of mine,I came to know about the story of Koji , a giving , smiling, adventurous soul , who’s life was changed in the blink of an eye due to a spinal cord injury. This story came close to my heart, as spinal cord injuries have touched the lives of at least three people I have known in the last few years, through three very different situations, and accidents. Things that could could have just as easily happened to me or you,that could have placed us in the same situation today as Koji finds himself . As spinal cord injuries ,know no boundaries of age, race, or walk of life from which you hail from…. It could be something as simple as a slip on an icy walkway, or a fall off the ladder while cleaning the gutters, to an unavoidable car accident…. or as in Koji’s case, whilst living life to the fullest, edging yourself towards new challenges, and feeling the wind press upon your wings as you let yourself go , and soar forever free.

Koji , like so many others out there, have the need , want , and desire to walk once again along side their friends. To find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and to educate others along the way about this cause, and the great need for support, funding, and perhaps even more importantly, understanding, to this very sensitive, and worthy cause. For being able to possess your own independence, makes a man far richer than any dollar amount could ever come close to buying.

Please take a moment to read about Koji through his friend WaLaHa’s own words, perhaps visit his page, and pick up the phone in order to help in any way you can. As sometimes just knowing your not alone, is knowing you can get through another day.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and when you get up to walk away, think of Koji, and all the others out there just like him, and think of what it would mean to you, if the this simple act of standing was suddenly taken away.

To Koji: , I wish you all the luck in the world with this one, from the bottom of my heart, may light and laughter always surround you, and friends be by your side. Sending all my well wishes your way .(And to WaLaHa , may you always be one of those friends, and the giving nature of yourself never runs out.)

Dharma, thanks for the wonderful words. I cannot express how I feel at this moment. You have a beautiful heart, I see you sharing it all the time with your 43Things friends. You are an Angel, I will always remember this. If you ever need anything you can count on all the skydiver’s of Perris Valley Skydiving Center, Southern California. There will be a tandem jump waiting for you.
Blue Skies, WaLaHa

In WaLaHa’s words:

“My friend Koji Mizoi was injured January 24th, 2007.Paralyzed from the chest down, Koji may never be able to walk again. He will not give up this easy. After 13,000 skydives as a cameraman and A.F.F. instructor, Koji has touched many with his friendship. Koji is loved and respected by many in the skydiving community. He is being considered at the Project Walk SCI ( Spinal Cord Injury) facility in Carlsbad, CA (San Diego County). We hope he is accepted, this is his only hope to walk again. Recovery will be very expensive, April 28th 2007 we will have a fundraiser at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center I-800 SKYDIVE in SoCal, or 951-657-1664 . We will have a raffle and other means to raise some money , which will help. I hope to contact some of the Skydivers and non-skydivers to call and give Koji a word of hope. I’m not asking for any one to donate money just give him a gift of your voice, you can simply say, KOJI Walk: I am amazed at the power people have when a bit of encouragement is heard. Let’s give Koji some of this voice of hope from around the world. Please call 1800 SKYDIVE if you live in SoCal, or call 951-657-1664 and say,KOJI WALK: , or just let him know what D.Z. you are from. Please forward this e-mail to as many as possible.You can also mail post cards or a note to Koji @ GSC PO Box 4452 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729. I am looking for anyone to donate old or new skydiving T-Shirts . I have a quilter that will make a great quilt. Check out the photo of a quilt made from my shirt to the memory of the West Wind Caravan crash on September 29, 1985. “

This is also a foundation I have supported and followed over the years, Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation
and recommend as a good informative site , offering education, hope, nemerous links, and a solid foundation from which to start over from.

Written by my 43things friend Dharma.

Through a 43things friend of mine,I came to know about the story of Koji , a giving , smiling, adventurous soul , who’s life was changed in the blink of an eye due to a spinal cord injury. This story came close to my heart, as spinal cord injuries have touched the lives of at least three people I have known in the last few years, through three very different situations, and accidents. Things that could could have just as easily happened to me or you,that could have placed us in the same situation today as Koji finds himself . As spinal cord injuries ,know no boundaries of age, race, or walk of life from which you hail from…. It could be something as simple as a slip on an icy walkway, or a fall off the ladder while cleaning the gutters, to an unavoidable car accident…. or as in Koji’s case, whilst living life to the fullest, edging yourself towards new challenges, and feeling the wind press upon your wings as you let yourself go , and soar forever free.

Koji , like so many others out there, have the need , want , and desire to walk once again along side their friends. To find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and to educate others along the way about this cause, and the great need for support, funding, and perhaps even more importantly, understanding, to this very sensitive, and worthy cause. For being able to possess your own independence, makes a man far richer than any dollar amount could ever come close to buying.

Please take a moment to read about Koji through his friend WaLaHa’s own words, perhaps visit his page, and pick up the phone in order to help in any way you can. As sometimes just knowing your not alone, is knowing you can get through another day.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and when you get up to walk away, think of Koji, and all the others out there just like him, and think of what it would mean to you, if the this simple act of standing was suddenly taken away.

To Koji: , I wish you all the luck in the world with this one, from the bottom of my heart, may light and laughter always surround you, and friends be by your side. Sending all my well wishes your way .(And to WaLaHa , may you always be one of those friends, and the giving nature of yourself never runs out.)

Dharma, thanks for the wonderful words. I cannot express how I feel at this moment. You have a beautiful heart, I see you sharing it all the time with your 43Things friends. You are an Angel, I will always remember this. If you ever need anything you can count on all the skydiver’s of Perris Valley Skydiving Center, Southern California. There will be a tandem jump waiting for you.
Blue Skies, WaLaHa

In WaLaHa’s words:

“My friend Koji Mizoi was injured January 24th, 2007.Paralyzed from the chest down, Koji may never be able to walk again. He will not give up this easy. After 13,000 skydives as a cameraman and A.F.F. instructor, Koji has touched many with his friendship. Koji is loved and respected by many in the skydiving community. He is being considered at the Project Walk SCI ( Spinal Cord Injury) facility in Carlsbad, CA (San Diego County). We hope he is accepted, this is his only hope to walk again. Recovery will be very expensive, April 28th 2007 we will have a fundraiser at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center I-800 SKYDIVE in SoCal, or 951-657-1664 . We will have a raffle and other means to raise some money , which will help. I hope to contact some of the Skydivers and non-skydivers to call and give Koji a word of hope. I’m not asking for any one to donate money just give him a gift of your voice, you can simply say, KOJI Walk: I am amazed at the power people have when a bit of encouragement is heard. Let’s give Koji some of this voice of hope from around the world. Please call 1800 SKYDIVE if you live in SoCal, or call 951-657-1664 and say,KOJI WALK: , or just let him know what D.Z. you are from. Please forward this e-mail to as many as possible.You can also mail post cards or a note to Koji @ GSC PO Box 4452 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729. I am looking for anyone to donate old or new skydiving T-Shirts . I have a quilter that will make a great quilt. Check out the photo of a quilt made from my shirt to the memory of the West Wind Caravan crash on September 29, 1985. “

This is also a foundation I have supported and followed over the years, Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation
and recommend as a good informative site , offering education, hope, nemerous links, and a solid foundation from which to start over from.

Through a 43things http://www.43things.com/person/WaLaHa">friend of mine,I came to know about the story of Koji , a giving , smiling, adventurous soul , who’s life was changed in the blink of an eye due to a spinal cord injury. This story came close to my heart, as spinal cord injuries have touched the lives of at least three people I have known in the last few years, through three very different situations, and accidents. Things that could could have just as easily happened to me or you,that could have placed us in the same situation today as Koji finds himself . As spinal cord injuries ,know no boundaries of age, race, or walk of life from which you hail from…. It could be something as simple as a slip on an icy walkway, or a fall off the ladder while cleaning the gutters, to an unavoidable car accident…. or as in Koji’s case, whilst living life to the fullest, edging yourself towards new challenges, and feeling the wind press upon your wings as you let yourself go , and soar forever free.

Koji , like so many others out there, have the need , want , and desire to walk once again along side their friends. To find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and to educate others along the way about this cause, and the great need for support, funding, and perhaps even more importantly, understanding, to this very sensitive, and worthy cause. For being able to possess your own independence, makes a man far richer than any dollar amount could ever come close to buying.

Please take a moment to read about Koji through his friend http://www.43things.com/person/WaLaHa">WaLaHa’s own words, perhaps visit his page, and pick up the phone in order to help in any way you can. As sometimes just knowing your not alone, is knowing you can get through another day.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and when you get up to walk away, think of Koji, and all the others out there just like him, and think of what it would mean to you, if the this simple act of standing was suddenly taken away.

_{To Koji: , I wish you all the luck in the world with this one, from the bottom of my heart, may light and laughter always surround you, and friends be by your side. Sending all my well wishes your way .(And to WaLaHa , may you always be one of those friends, and the giving nature of yourself never runs out.)}

In WaLaHa’s words:

“My friend Koji Mizoi was injured January 24th, 2007.Paralyzed from the chest down, Koji may never be able to walk again. He will not give up this easy. After 13,000 skydives as a cameraman and A.F.F. instructor, Koji has touched many with his friendship. Koji is loved and respected by many in the skydiving community. He is being considered at the Project Walk SCI ( Spinal Cord Injury) facility in Carlsbad, CA (San Diego County). We hope he is accepted, this is his only hope to walk again. Recovery will be very expensive, April 28th 2007 we will have a fundraiser at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center I-800 SKYDIVE in SoCal, or 951-657-1664. We will have a raffle and other means to raise some money , which will help. I hope to contact some of the Skydivers and non-skydivers to call and give Koji a word of hope. I’m not asking for any one to donate money just give him a gift of your voice, you can simply say, KOJI Walk: I am amazed at the power people have when a bit of encouragement is heard. Let’s give Koji some of this voice of hope from around the world. Please call 1800 SKYDIVE if you live in SoCal, or call 951-657-1664 and say,KOJI WALK: , or just let him know what D.Z. you are from. Please forward this e-mail to as many as possible.You can also mail post cards or a note to Koji @ GSC PO Box 4452 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729. I am looking for anyone to donate old or new skydiving T-Shirts . I have a quilter that will make a great quilt. Check out the photo of a quilt made from my shirt to the memory of the West Wind Caravan crash on September 29, 1985. “

This is also a foundation I have supported and followed over the years, Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation
and recommend as a good informative site , offering education, hope, nemerous links, and a solid foundation from which to start over from.