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Mark Travis, shown typing his daily journal in 1998, was severely injured in a skydiving accident two years earlier. He now is taking steps toward a more independent life.

Injured skydiver's recovery beats the odds

FARHANAZ KERMALLI THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- Sharon Staley knows the term "ground zero" has special significance in her son's life.

"He's pretty much started from his own ground zero," the Olympia resident said.

Mark Travis' 201st skydive in August of 1996 ended with a harsh landing that caused severe brain injuries. Since the accident, 33-year-old Travis has conquered a 30 percent chance of survival and is taking steps to live on his own.

He volunteers in the Olympia Senior Center kitchen and nutrition program and was a volunteer at the Olympia Food Co-op.

Travis has regained some of the functions he lost in the accident, including the ability to talk, walk and eat. He copes with occasional short-term memory loss by writing notes to himself.

Staley has not forgotten the time she spent by her son's bedside at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

"He didn't have a Hollywood recovery," she said. "I'm really in awe of him myself.

"I'm sure he'll be healing for the rest of his life."

'I want some freedom'

Now Travis awaits state evaluation before he can pursue an independent life in his own apartment.

"I want to fly and be free," he said. "I want some freedom."

He views his volunteer work as a step toward independence.

"I think it's basic training for a real job," Travis said.

Family friend and attorney Randy Graham has witnessed Travis' recovery.

"In spite of some setbacks of a physical nature, he's moving into the next phase," Graham said.

"He's such a good kid," he said. "He turned out to be such a fine young man. There's a lack of fairness (in his life) we can't explain."

Graham said Travis has made significant progress in the past eight months.

"When he first came, he really just hung out," said Eileen McKenzieSullivan, executive director of senior services for South Sound at the senior center. "As he's gotten more comfortable, he's done other tasks. He's really come a long way."

His work doesn't go unnoticed.

"A number of the seniors seem to enjoy him," McKenzieSullivan said. "He's a very caring person, and that comes through."

Staley feels her son's story is especially uplifting in these volatile times.

"We have a choice to become a casualty by giving up or running away," she said. "Becoming an overcomer is a higher and harder choice.

"It is possible -- you can still have a wonderful life in spite of what your circumstances are."

Each week, The Olympian revisits stories from the past. Are there people, places or events that you read about in The Olympian that you wonder about now? Call us at 360-754-5423, e-mail us at news@theolympian.com or write us at Update, c/o The Olympian, P.O. Box 1219 Olympia, WA 98507.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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