Ventilator-dependent, confined to a wheelchair, and living in a rehabilitation center, Christian author and speaker Jason Mitchener has much in common with Hilary Swanks character Maggie at the end of Clint Eastwoods boxing movie Million Dollar Baby.” The difference is that Mitchener is a true fighter.
(PRWEB) February 1, 2005 -- I wanted to stop the moviegoers as they left the theater to tell them Maggie wasnt the typical ventilator-dependent, disabled person. Most of us want to live.”
For Christian author and speaker, Jason Mitchener, Clint Eastwoods film Million Dollar Baby” was just another inspirational boxing movie until the surprise third act when Hilary Swanks character Maggie ends up as a quadriplegic and ventilator-dependent.
Mitchener, who is also confined to a wheelchair and ventilator dependent, was at first excited to see a movie portray someone similar to him. But when I saw Maggie asking Clint Eastwoods character to end her life, I wanted to scream, ‘Dont do it! Life is worth living.”
In 1991, Mitchener was admitted to a rehabilitation center at the age of 21. He couldnt bathe, feed, or dress himself. Paralyzed from the shoulders down due to a rare neuromuscular disease, he now required a ventilator to help him breathe. At first, I felt useless, like my life was over. But I knew God had bigger plans for me.” Those plans included the publication of his devotional book Just Passing Through: Notes from a Fellow Traveler” which he typed with a stick held between his teeth.
Eastwoods film shook me to the core,” Mitchener says. It was yet another attempt to show that the life of a disabled person has no value.” Mitchener proves his value every day by ministering daily to the hundreds of people who subscribe to his e-mail devotional messages. He is also a talented digital artist and songwriter who has had songs recorded on CDs by three Christian music artists.
I couldnt understand Maggies wish to end her life. She was a boxer, but she stopped fighting,” Mitchener says. With his fierce desire to encourage others through his love for life, Mitchener is the true fighter.
Find out more about Jason Mitchener at:
http://www.JasonMitchener.com
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