Radford Alumni Chris Skinner, 27, is coming to Westfield High School to share his ultimate learning experience on Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. After making a series of bad decisions nearly seven years ago that resulted in a tragic car accident which left Skinner paralyzed, he now travels the country as a motivational speaker.
"I WANT human beings to understand that our life is not promised to us. It's a blessing when we wake up," said Skinner. "We have to be very careful with the choices that we make each and every day."
The Manassas native will talk to Westfield High students about his decisions that led up to the accident and the tragic consequences that resulted.
"I don't give a typical lecture. I make it fun, real, and down to earth," he said. "That way students relate to me and think 'he's young, he's just like me.'"
That is precisely the message that Assistant Lead Principal Dave Jagels hopes that students will take with them. "I want them to realize 'Wow, this could happen to me,' and be able to relate consequences to actions," said Jagels. "A lot of students think that they are invincible, that they can do anything — and that just isn't the case. There are consequences to actions."
But warning students to make good decisions is only one thing Skinner wants to share with the students. Nancy Bennett, a registered nurse at Westfield High School, shares what she learned from listening to Skinner last year at George Mason High School.
"When people make bad choices, they should own up and live with the consequences, but it doesn't have to end their lives. They can still become a better person," she said.
Skinner is living proof of this and has much to look forward to. "I'm married to an awesome, awesome woman," Skinner said. "We're expecting twins, a boy and a girl!"
AFTER SPEAKING with more than 600,000 people about his ultimate learning experience, Skinner has no plans on stopping. "I plan on speaking as long as people listen, which I think will be forever. If I can change one person's life, then my life is worth something."
For more information on Chris Skinner, visit his Chris Skinner Organization Web site at www.chrisskinner.org, or check out his book titled, "The Ultimate Learning Experience."