Matthew ("Matt") Maw was a mascot at Weber State University when he slipped on a tumbling pass and shattered several vertebrae in his neck. In a split second, the Olympic hopeful was paralyzed.

He came home to live with his parents in Smithfield and attend classes at Utah State in a wheelchair. His mother, who accompanied him to class for a year and a half, recalls, "I will never forget the first day of class. He said, 'Mom, I don't know if I'm ready for this.'" He couldn't turn a page in a book; he couldn't turn on a computer. His mother attended class with him and typed his papers while he dictated the words. A year and a half into his studies, fellow students stepped in, volunteering to turn the pages, check out library books and take notes. That was the start of a treasured semi-independence.

Maw has had constant infections and a succession of surgeries, but he carefully scheduled each surgery around classes. He never missed class, even when he had to wear an IV in his arm. He regained the use of one arm and can now punch out term papers, one key at a time. He also learned to mentally calculate equations faster than most students can with a calculator.

His professors made accommodations. One asked him to give an oral report instead of writing a final paper.

"There was only one day, for a couple of hours, when he said, 'Why did this happen to me? I was a good kid,'" his mother recalls.

The hospital psychologist told his parents that he might crash, turn mean, be unable to handle life. But Matt Maw decided to move on with his life.

Today he appreciates feeling the sun on his face and is making the most of what he has. Small things have become important. In May he graduated from the College of Science in statistics. He is looking for a job and hopes one day to complete a master's at Utah State. -Nadene Steinhoff '84