Dave Denniston Continues To Set Daily Goals

Dave Denniston, former world record-setting swimmer for the Irvine Novaquatics and NCAA champion at Auburn, is in therapy following a serious back injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

The following are excerpts from Denniston's online journal regarding daily goals, which Denniston is great at setting and achieving.

"As a swimmer who gave a lot of talks, I would hammer the significance of daily goals and achieving them. After twenty years of swimming and a wheelchair, I've actually put the theory to actual practice. I do have daily goals. And it really is SO gratifying when they are accomplished. They aren't all accomplished, but I have much better days and a much better attitude when they are. Daily goals really work. When you wake up... set one. When you go to sleep, you will know if you've accomplished it.

"This morning (2/25/05) when I got up my Tech said I should try and stay up for four hours. I thought, okay, that will be a new record. We'll go for it. Five and a half hours later I got back in bed. I'm hoping to sit up a whole day by the middle of next week.

(2/28/05) "In the weekend's activities I built up my wheelchair stamina to a staggering six and a half hours. Have I mentioned how wonderful painkillers are?

(3/2/05) "I learned how to transfer myself from my chair to my parents mini-van. That was quite productive and thanks to my wonderful physical trainer, Mandy, I have full confidence I can do it on my own."

"Then I had wheelchair class. We went on a hundred mile endurance run that was uphill both ways. The second hill was at approximately a 75-degree uphill grade. But I made it to the top in my rent-a-wreck wheelchair with my brace on. I'm sure the hill will be easier once I don't have the brace anymore.

"Then I had lunch. I ate a beef turnover thing with veggies. It was pretty good.

"Then I learned how to fly! Well, I learned how to use the airlines so I can fly from place to place. If you want to fly with me, plan on being at the airport at least an hour earlier than you normally would. As with everything, I don't think it will be that hard, it will just take more time.

"My first weight class was today. The instructor was trying to teach me names of exercises and how to use stretch bands. They didn't want me to overdo it because it was my first day. I just smiled.

"The end of the day had me in the chair for eight hours straight!!!"

To read more, visit www.davedenniston.com. Dave's journal can be accessed from his Home page by scrolling down to the yellow section and clicking on "Dave's started posting in his online journal."

The site has a link for Send it Forward ankle bands and donations to the Dave Denniston Fund. Donations to the fund can also be made by mail at American National Bank, Dave Denniston Fund, 3908 Grand Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming, 82070.