Miracle in the Making

Adam Taliaferro had it all: smarts, an easy-going personality, and incomparable athletic ability. None of that seemed to matter, however, on that fateful September day when his father was given startling news: Do not expect your son to walk. Ever. Since that numbing day, Taliaferro, the Penn State freshman cornerback who was paralyzed after he tackled an Ohio State running back, has defied the odds. Before he had spinal-fusion surgery, he made a vow to his mother: “Mom, I'm not going out like this.” Three months later, he walked out of a Philadelphia hospital on crutches, determined to complete his amazing recovery, making the name “Adam Taliaferro” synonymous with courage and perseverance.

On September 23, 2000, Penn State freshman football player Adam Taliaferro's athletic career came to a screeching halt when he tackled an opponent headfirst. They said he would never walk again, but Adam set out to prove them wrong. This account of a young man's journey from hope to despair to hope again is inspiring on so many counts. There is the devotion of Adam's family, his parents and his awestruck little brother; there is the ongoing commitment of the coaches, primarily the legendary Joe Paterno (who contributes a touching foreword); there is the dedication of the numerous doctors, physical therapists, trainers, and rehabilitative nurses who saw Adam through to his recovery; and, of course, there is Adam himself, whose drive and hard work made the miracle possible. On September 1, 2000, Adam led the Penn State Nittany Lions on the field to start a new season. A genuinely inspirational story. Mary Frances Wilkens
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