After one bad decision, Paralympian Steve Emt had a life-altering choice ahead of him: give up or live with a purpose. Luckily, he decided on the latter, and on Oct. 7 he shared his story with the students of Yutan High School.
“It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you decide to do with what happens,” Emt said.
Principal Stefanie Novotny explained that Steve Emt’s message was introduced to her through the Three Rivers Health Department. She knew that he would be a good motivator for the students.
“I felt like his message is essential, and, with his background, he would connect with our students,” Novotny said.
Emt started his talk by painting a picture of his early life and how he had it all in high school: athleticism, popularity and a promising sports career.
“I was breaking school records, conference records and state records. When it came time to go to college, I was being recruited by schools all around the United States,” Emt said.
But one night after partying in a bar, Emt made the bad decision to drink and drive and was in a tragic accident. He recounted the five heart-stopping words the nurse told him after waking up from a two-day coma.
“She said, ‘Steven, you’ve been in a bad automobile accident. You will never walk again,’” Emt said.
Some people may give up after such a tragic event, but Emt explained how a vision of his guardian angel put him on a path of purpose.
“That image that I saw was part of my guardian angel, my father, saying, ‘You know what, Steve, get back down there and go out and talk with people and listen to people, meet young adults like yourself,’” Emt said. “That’s why I’m here today—because I care about each and every one of you in this room.”
Emt decided not to focus on what happened to him but focus on what he could do about it. Instead of letting his injury overcome him, he decided to devote his life to teaching young adults about the dangers of drinking and driving.
“I told myself, ‘You’re going to keep fighting. You’re not going to stay down again,’” Emt said. “That’s why I’m talking to this incredible group of young adults I’m in front of right now, and I’m blessed to be here.”
Emt was given another opportunity to give his life purpose when he was recruited to be a part of the U.S. Paralympic curling team and has since competed in two Paralympics. He has received many awards, but he feels it’s not about the medals he’s won but what the experience has given him.
“That silver plate that I’m holding for that Sportsmanship Award far outweighs any medal I could ever win for the United States of America,” Emt said. “I can honestly say that whether that’s gold, silver or bronze, when you find that greatness we talked about, when you find that passion, do you go all in? Do it the right way.”
As Emt finished his story, the students and staff took several things from this message. Junior Makenzie Govier took away the message not to drink and drive.
“I knew that drinking and driving was bad, but after this speech, I kind of have a new understanding of what exactly makes it wrong,” Govier said.
Motivation was another message junior Jordyn Campbell took from the speech.
“It was very straight to the point and he didn’t sugarcoat anything, but he also showed how he overcame that and how being a real person can help you get through things,” Campbell said.
Novotny hopes Emt’s whole speech taught the students and staff many things that they can put into their own lives, and she even had her own takeaway from the speech.
“He doesn’t make excuses for what happened but how he moves forward,” Novotny said. “One decision can alter your path, but it doesn’t end your path or your story. You just may have to pivot, but you can still move forward to reach your goals.”
