The story of Mike Garrison and his redemption to motocross

MotoDemption 2021 featuring High Fives Athlete Mike Garrison

This year, motocross racer Mike Garrison was the winner of the Motodemption grant. Garrison broke his T5 and T6 vertebrae while racing motocross when he was 18 years old, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Garrison was invited to Motodemption on August 27, 2021 to ride a specially-modified Husqvarna 350, which was gifted to him at the end of the camp. The moment was captured in this powerfully emotional video.

In Mike’s Words

I am your average Midwest American kid (33 to be exact) who grew up in a small town with my mom, dad, sister, and crazy grandma.

Traditional sports were never my strong point. I began racing motocross at the age of 5, and for the next 13 years of my life, my entire family and I traveled the country racing week after week.

On August 27, 2006, at the age of 18, I attended a local race that would change my life forever. 

While trying to make a pass for the lead, we collided in mid-air over a jump. We both came crashing to the ground. I had broke my T5 and T6 vertebrae, stretched my spinal cord, collapsed both lungs, suffered severe internal bleeding, and was paralyzed from the chest down. 

On August 27, 2006 I was paralyzed. 10 years later to the day, on August 27, 2016, I married the girl of my dreams.

My wife, Britani, has been by my side day in and day for everything from simply getting dressed in the morning to chasing my wildest dreams – yet she has never seen me stand or take a step, let alone ride a dirt bike. 

On August 27, 2006 I was paralyzed. 10 years later to the day, on August 27, 2016, I married the girl of my dreams.

My wife, Britani, has been by my side day in and day for everything from simply getting dressed in the morning to chasing my wildest dreams – yet she has never seen me stand or take a step, let alone ride a dirt bike.