Years after the tragedy, the local wants to show others hope with a new book

CINCINNATI – It’s been 12 years since Ryan Atkins was paralyzed from the shoulder down after a car accident, but Atkins hopes others will find comfort in his new book.

In 2009, Atkins was a 21-year-old junior in the Carl Lindner School of Business at the University of Cincinnati. On November 20, 2009, Atkins wrecked his SUV while driving on Interstate 75 in southern Kentucky. The crash left him paralyzed from the shoulders down.

“The doctors told me I would never walk again. Maybe even never breathe alone again,” Atkins said.

He said he was having trouble getting to grips with his injuries and what had happened.

“Either my life is completely meaningless now, or there has to be a much bigger purpose in my life,” Atkins said.

Then Atkins said he fell in love with Stephanie Perry, his current wife. He said their love was one reason he could go on, and now Atkins is sharing that love through his new book, One Step Closer, thanks to voice-to-text technology.

“I believe that when we look at our struggles and hardships, from the perspective of a much bigger picture, we see that this story is not over yet,” said Atkins. “I believe and hope remains and there is still an opportunity to resolve any situation …”

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