Hello, my name is Otto Miller.   In January 2016 I broke my back and severed my spinal cord at the T4 level.   I can't feel anything below my chest, but since then, I have come a long way.   Much of this is due to hard work and perseverance the first year, and the continued maintaining of my gains thereafter.  Another huge factor of my progress has been the assistance provided by friends, family, and supporters from all over.   
Previously I had a youcaring.com account, but that was removed when GoFundMe bought them out.  Since, I have had dozens of requests by friends who would like to help again, but didn't have an easy way for them to do this.

Please consider helping cover the costs of travel to therapy, copays for visits, catheters, and meds.  For everything over $2000 I will split donations 50/50 to pay it forward to the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for past, present, and future help.

MY STORY
For those who may be new to my story.
Starting around when I was 5 I started playing hockey.  I loved roller blading and was pretty good for a little guy.  It just seemed like a natural progression to play hockey.  I wanted to be a goalie from the start, but my parents insisted I be a strong skater first.  So, for the first few years a skated out.  My second year at the Squirt age level, 10 yo, I started travel hockey as a goalie.  I continued all the way through high school. 
         After graduating Queensbury HS I thought my hockey days were done.  I was accepted to go to Full Sail University in Orlando, but then I received a call from the hockey coach at University of Maryland Baltimore County(UMBC).   He needed a goalie, I loved hockey and I would do anything to be out on the ice again, so it was a perfect match.  That summer I worked hard, saved up money, and tried to stay in shape.  In August I went to the UMBC hockey training camp.  I applied for fall semester and did not get accepted, but they said if I obtained some additional college credits in our local community college, then the winter semester would be pretty much guaranteed.  I worked hard, got good grades, and then I was approved.
         I was invited by the coach to join the team 2 weeks prior to moving into dorms and the start of the semester.  This was going to give me some practice time and play in a couple games.   After arriving all was going great. Played a couple games.  I got my first college win. Then Baltimore had a huge snow storm. I learned quickly Baltimore is not upstate New York. Move in to the dorms was delayed a day and it was that morning  I had my bad fall that broke my back, broke my neck, and punctured my lungs. 


I went to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for my in patient recovery and therapy.  This was an amazing place with equally amazing people.  They really do prepare people for their new life.
In September of 2016 I went to see a reflexologist in Tampa, Ken Bryant. When I was there, he was able to help return control and movement in my hip flexors.
Although I have a completely severed spinal cord, somehow he was able to help me. By the end of the week I was standing with a walker.
Now I can take steps using a walker and leg braces.