Skiing Snowbird in Utah

I finally did it. I went snow skiing for the first time since my accident. Lets just say I had a blast. I have been telling myself for the past 12 years that I will never go skiing because I don't like the cold weather, but that all changed yesterday. It all started because I was in Utah for a fundraiser for a disabled athlete who is going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with a specially made hand-bike. Wow, isn't that amazing just to think about? Well anyway, I honestly felt like he inspired me to give snow skiing a try. With words of encouragement and the help of an amazingly nice and kind friend named David who actually set my whole trip up, I accomplished something that I said I would never do, Ski. At first I thought it was going to be so hard and that I would fall down the whole mountain, but luckily I had a great instructor who helped me feel comfortable and safe. Yesterday the weather was exactly what I was hoping for, warm and sunny. We also were lucky enough to have a film crew documenting this beautiful experience. After being placed in a sit down ski that is specially designed for a disabled athlete, I was ready to give skiing a chance. As soon as we heading down the mountain I could feel that I was learning how to ski very quickly. I was nervous at first but that soon changed to pure enjoyment. After skiing for a few hours I was really happy that I gave it a chance. The beauty in the mountains made my experience even that much more memorable.

If there is anything out there that is something positive in the world that you have been pushing aside because you are afraid to try it, I challenge you to reach deep inside yourself and give it a chance. You never know, it may be the best thing you have ever done. Follow your heart and make the unknown, known.

Fishing in Hawaii

First of all I love fishing. So today my friend Brett, my caregiver Raul and I decided that we wanted to go bottom fishing in Hawaii. We were excited to get out on a boat and be in the ocean while enjoying the beautiful weather. So we made reservations on a boat called the Sashimi II. As we began our journey out of the harbor at about 5pm we were looking forward to a nice smooth ride. Well thats not what we got. As soon as we got out to the open ocean the wind started to pick up and the swells were making the boat sway back and forth. I had to hold on to the railing so I wouldn't f fall out of my chair. About an hour later we got to the spot that we were going to be fishing from. It was not a fun trip for Raul at all. As soon as the boat stopped he began throwing up, over and over again. Both Brett and I felt bad for him, but we baited our hooks and began fishing. About 20 min into it I caught my first and only fish of the trip. Brett caught one fish about 20 min after me. Then we here over the loud speaker, ''All right, its time to reel em up, its a long trip back, we are done fishing.'' Done Fishing? What? That was the longest journey for the shortest fishing trip.

The best part about the trip was on the way back to the harbor, the boat crew bbq the fish we caught and we got to eat our dinner on the open ocean. It was a cool experience but I know for sure that we wont be back on the Sashimi II anytime soon.

Overall, Brett and I caught one fish each and Raul got sick. A classic trip but worth all the memories for sure.

Music To My Ears

Music is one of the most inspiring things in my life. Music puts me in a beautiful state of mind that allows me to relax and think about life in so many ways. I was so lucky this weekend to be able to be at the Kokua Festival in Hawaii and see Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews perform. It was Dave Matthews first time performing in Hawaii, so I witnessed a little bit of music history as well. I was on stage for the show because I am friends with Jack Johnson so it made the concert experience that much sweeter. For the past 15 years I have always wanted to meet and talk to Dave Matthews because I have been a huge fan of his. Well I finally got the chance I have been waiting for, After Dave performed he came to the side of the stage to hangout with his family and to watch Jack perform. Since he was right next to me, I rolled over to him and just introduced myself. Not only is Dave an amazing musician but he was such a down to earth, genuine guy who looked me in the eyes the whole time we talked. Even though we only talked for about 5 to 10 minutes, I got to meet and talk to Dave Matthews. Wow. I had such a big smile on my face. His music to me is so amazing. He is so talented and his ability to sing is truly mind blowing. I can honestly say that meeting Dave Matthews was the highlight of my whole trip to Hawaii.

Hawaii Here We Come

I am so excited about my trip to Hawaii on Thursday. My good friend Brett, my caregiver Raul and I are going to hawaii for five days. We are flying to Oahu to catch some good waves and to listen to some amazing music. This weekend we get to see Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson perform as well. I cant wait. I love their music. Plus Jack is a friend of mine so it will be nice to see him since it has been awhile since I saw him last.

Brett and I are stoked about the good south swell that will be hitting the south shore while we are there too. We both love surfing and cant wait to surf in some warm water. I love being in hawaii and just having the sun beating down on my face. It's such a great feeling.

Hawaii here we come............

So much love from my little friend Nani.

Ever since my injury back in 1996 I have spent a lot of time alone. It has been my choice to be alone sometimes but it has also been because of the few close friends that I have now. A lot of my friends from high school have seemed to keep their distance from me for one reason or another. I mean, I could understand that it may hurt to see me in this disabled condition but I believe if they just spent a little time with me, that they would see the same Jesse that they were best friends with back in high school. I have done my side of things to show interest of wanting to hangout. I even make random phone calls to them just to say hi and see how their doing. Not only do I want to surf with them, but I want to hangout with them, go to lunch, dinner, a concert, etc. Friends are priceless to have around. Since I am not independent due to suffering a spinal cord injury during a surfing accident, I do depend on my friends and family to help me out on a daily basis. I even have a live in caregiver that goes with me everywhere. But because of these things I feel lonely quit often, so i decided to adopt a dog. I adopted a chihuahua from the Lange Foundation in West LA. It has been an amazing experience to be able to have a little companion with me everywhere I go. My dog even cuddles up with me to sleep. I love her. Her name is Nani, it means beautiful in hawaiian. It is the little things that my dog does for me that puts a huge smile on my face and helps me to not feel as lonely as I did before. When Nani runs up to me and licks my face and jumps on my chest to cuddle up with me I can truly feel so much unconditional love from her. I love just watching her as she plays with her toys. I adore her and I know she adores me. I am so thankful that I decided to get her.

I have realized through my own experiences that sometimes being a good friend is as easy as a simple phone call, just to say hi.

What's the Buzz about Jesse?

''The initial idea that life has changed completely reminds me of nothing past the attachments to mobility and doing my own thing without limits. I was and continue to be inspired by Jesse's ability to see beyond just the physical limits to a place where life has more meaning with less. Challenges become welcomed opportunities to inspire people where they feel challenged and also where they feel content to not change what life is all about. LIfe can change in an instant. It's up to the individual to decide what that future means. We will all die but it's the living before then that matters. Jesse, thanks for giving hope and happiness to others in all areas.''

-Kelly Slater, Eight-time World Champion Surfer

Click here for more information about Kelly Slater

I visited a recently paralyzed surfer in the hospital

Becoming paralyzed isn't the easiest thing to deal with. In the beginning it is very important to have a support group of friends to be there for you and to build up your spirits. About a week ago Life Rolls On, which is the non profit foundation that I started was contacted about a surfer by the name of Nathan Gocke who recently became paralyzed from the result of a surfing accident. They were hoping to have me be able to visit Nathan in the hospital. I of course said yes and wanted to be able to help him in anyway possible. I know from my own experience becoming paralyzed from a surfing accident in 1996 how important it was for me to have visitors come who have been in a wheelchair for some time to be able to give me advice on how to cope with such an injury.

So yesterday I drove an hour in a half from my home in Santa Monica out to Casa Colina Hospital in Pomona. On the way out there I was excited to be able to give back and have an opportunity to inspire and motivate Nathan. When I arrived at the hospital I rolled into the lobby and checked in so that I could get my guest pass and the directions to his room. I wasn't nervous at all being back in the hospital, because I have come to a peaceful place with my own injury and it makes me feel calm and relaxed when I get a chance to inspire others. So as I got to the room I rolled right in. Nathan instantly had a big smile on his face and it felt really special just to see him smile for that brief moment. We talked for about an hour and he seemed to be in really good spirits. It was really nice to know that he is a positive guy with high hopes of a speedy recovery. We talked about a new life that he was going to be living. A new journey that was unknown as of now, but would unfold as each day passes. I told him that if he ever needed to talk to me, no matter what time it is, feel free to call me and we can talk about anything you want. He also told me how inspired he was when he saw the photo of me surfing in Fiji at a well known surf spot called Cloudbreak. Not only is the wave amazing, but it is one of the most dangerous waves in the world due to its power and that it breaks over a very shallow coral reef. I told him in due time that he will be out there surfing with me again and catching some more amazing waves.

Before leaving the hospital I asked Nathan if he would be interested in having Life Rolls On document his journey through rehab and recovery. We would film him while he was doing his therapy and do interviews with him about his thoughts and feelings about his recovery. He began to cry and told me he would be honored to do this documentary. We talked about how it would inspire people and be able to guide newly injured people through their own journey of rehab and recovery.






Please take a look at Nathan's website and if at all possible, please donate to his rehabilitation fund. Thank you for the support and I hope Nathan a speedy recovery.

www.supportnathangocke.com

Bra Boys Premiere in Hollywood

Last night I attended the premiere of the documentary film ''Bra Boys'' at the DGA Screening Room in Hollywood. It is ''A film about the cultural evolution of the Sydney beach side suburb of Maroubra and the social struggle faced by it's youth - the notorious surf gang known as the Bra Boys.'' I am personal friends with the stars of the movie as well as the executive producers. This movie is heavy. I mean the Bra Boys are a tight group of friends that believe Blood is Thicker than Water. I had a really fun time at the premiere because I knew a lot of people there as well. I really enjoy watching documentary because they are ''Real'' heartfelt stories that you can appreciate and respect.

As I watched the movie I had some thoughts going through my head. I wished I wasn't paralyzed so that I could surf some of the amazing waves that were featured in the film. Specifically there was a wave called ''Ours,'' which was one of the heaviest waves in the world. I love challenges and trying new things but oh well, it might be a good thing that I will never get to surf this wave.

Check out the video of ''Ours'' right here.



''Bra Boys surf a crazy slab in Australia called Ours. Waves break over the rocky headland which results in some heavy tubes and even heavier wipeouts. Surfers get ragdolled into the rocks, watch till the end to see the consequences. Not nice.''


Bra Boys Trailer


Check out the Bra Boys website
www.braboysfilm.com

Shooting Photos with Brian Bowen Smith

Yesterday I had the privilege of working with an amazing photographer, by the name of Brian Bowen Smith. Not only is he a great guy, but he is an amazing photographer as well. I didn't feel like I looked that good that day because I hadn't had a haircut or shaved my face in awhile, but Brian just told me ''lets just take a few photos and see what happens.'' What happened was, I ended up getting some of the best photos I have ever taken before. I should have known that he wasn't kidding because he has shot with people like Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel, Adrien Brody, Incubus, Orlando Bloom just to name a few. Lets just say it was an honor for me to work with Brian.

Please take a look at the amazing work of Brian Bowen Smith.

Click here to see more information about Brian Bowen Smith

Jesse's Story On Tour

Just imagine, you're 17 years old and living a dream. Your vision has always been to become a professional surfer and travel the world wave by wave. To experience your passion, be one with the ocean and enjoy the environment that has brought you so much pleasure for your entire life.

Just seconds later, you're still 17 but your dreams appear shattered. Your vision is no longer clear, it's no longer long term. Your home away from home, the ocean, is now your prison. Your passion is survival.

On March 25, 1996, Jesse Billauer experienced all of these emotions and more as he lay face down in the Pacific Ocean unable to move a single muscle. What began as his favorite activity, catching a wave while riding a surfboard, was now a struggle for life itself.

Jesse was thrown headfirst from the board into a sandbar below the water's surface. Striking it with the top of his head, he fractured a vertebra in his neck and severed his spinal cord. Nerve messages no longer passed from his brain to his extremities. As a result, he lay face down in the water unable to turn himself over. All he could do was hold his breath and patiently wait and hope that a following wave would turn him over, allowing him to call for help.

What would you do under the circumstances? Would you panic or remain calm? What if you were indeed rescued, but lived to find out your life was now very different. What if your life now had to be viewed and experienced from a wheelchair?

Jesse's Story is the tale of two extremes. Sixteen years of independence. A childhood of fun, friends and following your dreams. Then 10 years of virtually complete dependence. The simple functions of life now complicated beyond belief.

Jesse's Story is one individual's experiences shared in a manner truly touching to all who hear it. One young man's lessons learned in difficult fashion but with remarkable results.oung or old, the benefits of hearing Jesse's Story are invaluable. Learn firsthand what appears to be obvious but is often overlooked. Life is short... enjoy every minute. Life can be changed in an instant... live your passion. Express your love to friends and family every chance you get... you never know which goodbye might be the last.

These and other insights are just part of the pleasure of spending time with this remarkable young man. This is time well spent. Time that will change your outlook on life and how you share it with those around you.

Gather up those you truly love and care about and come interact with Jesse Billauer. Rediscover you passions for living. Rediscover your purpose in life. You will never see your life the same way again.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog! This will be a place where I plan on sharing experiences and stories from a life on the road as a motivational speaker. As one of 300,000 Americans with a spinal cord injury, sometimes even the most seemingly simple situations, such as getting up a single set of stairs, can prove to be almost an impossible obstacle. I hope to share with you that the truth is, nearly nothing is impossible, and with determination, perseverance, and a little help from friends and family... I can do almost anything (and so can you!).

So bookmark this page, sometimes I'll have a lot to say, and sometimes you may not hear from me for a few days, but I give you my word that if you come back often and share this page with your friends, everyone can be touched.

Love life because life loves you,

Jesse
aka J-E-Double-S-E
www.jessebillauer.com