“Clear!” “We’ve got no response!” “Push the epi!” “Increase the shock to 300 Joules!’ “Clear!” “No pulse. Resume CPR.” “C’mon, Gage, fight! Don’t you stop fighting, little man!” “Don’t give up, Gage!” “Fight! Fight your way back.” “Doc we’ve got a heartbeat back, blood pressure 60/30 and climbing.” I’ve always been a fighter. I’ve always had to be. It’s what I’ve always known. My name is Gage Burns, and I was born a critically ill infant. I’ve stared death in the face and fought my way from its cold, icy grip on more than one occasion. People that know my story don’t hesitate to call me a miracle. By all accounts, I should not be here today. The fight for survival has always been at the forefront of my very existence. I lived in hospitals and depended on pumps and machines to live, but they and my organs began to fail. I was slowly and painfully dying. Perhaps the will to live makes us all fighters in our own right, makes us realize our strength, value the time we are given and what is actually important in life. Perhaps this drive to never give up was fueled by my mother, always at my bedside. She never left my side. My fight was hers as well. I don’t know that she ever slept. She researched everything she could get her hands on about my condition. I’d wake up in the early morning hours to see her nose in medical books, the computer open to the latest medical studies, and piles of notes she had taken. She spoke to specialists around the country. She never took “we’ve done all we can do”as the final answer. She just dug deeper, fought harder to be seen and heard. I’m lucky to come from a long line of very strong, fiercely passionate, tenacious women! At the age of five, I received a multiple organ transplant. I was gifted a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas. During the surgery, I “coded” three times. The transplant was and continues to be a success. However, the surgery was not without complications. I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord during one of the times I coded, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to be functional and independent. Some see it as more battles to fight, more obstacles to overcome. But these are the very circumstances that shaped me into the man I am today. Although this essay may not be about the impact of the loss of a loved one, it is about my fight. At such a young age, I had more life lessons than most. My mom often jokes that I am an old soul. But this journey taught me the meaning of a mother’s love, true unconditional love. It taught me to fight, to never give up. I am blessed to have learned the important truths at such a young age. I am Kristopher Gage Burns, the “one in a million” kid. I’m about to complete my second year of Occupational Therapy School in Jacksonville, Florida. I found my true calling was helping others, like me, new to the wheelchair life adjust to life. I’ve helped many along the way, but I know there are many more who need me to help them find their fight. I truly love what I do and inspiring others to meet their goals. When you can’t find me at school, you can find me on the basketball court. I am a member of the Division III Brooks Ballers wheelchair basketball team. We are looking to steal the DIII title in Richmond, Virginia in April, 2024! I was even selected to play in the Rookie game! It is my hope as an OT that my life experiences can help others achieve the confidence needed to get out there and live life on the court and not the sideline. Life doesn’t always hand us a fair deal, but we have to find our fight and make the most of it. Cherish the good things, don’t waste time and energy on the negative. You just have to keep on rolling! (Wheelchair humor)

It’s time to take that drab Barbie Dream House of the ‘90’s into the future! Where state of the art meets smart. Nestled in the quiet countryside, Barbie’s new home is a spacious, modern, eco friendly farmhouse with an open floor plan. Picturesque views of mountains, forests, wildlife, and natural light flood her home from the reinforced and storm-rated all glass exterior. Always a friend to nature, Barbie’s home sits on 100 acres of land, where she has cultivated a solar farm that not only powers her entire home, it also generates extra energy that she sells back into the grid to lower electricity prices for her whole community. She also plants and harvests her own pesticide free farm of fresh fruits and vegetables that she donates to her local homeless and women’s shelters. Barbie’s outdoor pool has a sun deck for laying out with SPF on, of course! It is also Olympic sized for swimming laps or practicing professional diving. Barbie teaches swimming, diving, water safety, basic first aid and CPR to anyone wanting to learn. It’s a cause near to her heart and a continual commitment to improving her community, she doesn’t even charge for the service. Barbie’s home is accessible to all handicapable people. Her best friend Gage is in a wheelchair. Barbie’s showers were custom made to allow rolling into the shower and transferring to a shower chair a breeze. She had counters and cabinets lowered in the kitchen and all doorways widened. Barbie has the latest audio equipment, and speaker boards installed so every guest is always able to communicate. Print is large and lights dim when the home phone or doorbell rings for the hearing impaired. Barbie is a fan of fitness. And no dream home would be complete without a dream workout room. Spacious, filled with the latest gym equipment, and adaptive equipment that allows her friend Gage to work out with her. She even has physical, occupational, and speech therapy come visit her friends three times a week for private sessions. Of course Barbie’s house wouldn’t be Barbie’s house without the fun stuff! Every Barbie dream house needs a slide and elevator to reach the top deck. Indoor and outdoor living collide as the serene sounds of the nearby stream instantly calm and the smell of fresh cut grass and honeydew fill the air. Barbie knows how to entertain with this stunning oasis. The amber light from the fire pit lights the star filled sky on a crisp Autumn evening, while Barbie and her friends enjoy making s’mores and memories.

“No peeking, Gage. Keep your eyes closed.” “1, 2, 3, Surprise!” “Is this a party, for me? It’s not my birthday?” “Congratulations, Gage! You got your Make-A-Wish!” By the age 5 years old, I had seen my fair share of obstacles. Born critically ill, I spent most of my life in Arkansas Children’s Hospital, depending on pumps and machines to live. As you can imagine, I didn’t get to play much or have many, if any, friends. My mom’s tired worried face never failed to read Disney stories at my bedside. Tales of bravery, love, and friendship sparked my imagination and even for a few moments let me escape those hospital walls. I watched Disney movies and shows to pass the long and scary days in the hospital. Those characters became my best friends. When I was 5, I received a multiple organ transplant. My new liver, pancreas, and small intestine gave me health and some normalcy. However during the surgery, I threw a blood clot to my spinal cord leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. Shortly after transplant, one of my many doctors nominated me for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If I could have just one wish, well there was really only one choice for me. I chose to visit the most magical place on Earth, Disney. My wish was granted, and for the first time in my life, I was actually going to visit Disney Land! I had never been very far from my doctors and hospital, certainly never on a family vacation. Disney was everything and more than I could have ever dreamed of. I was given a secret, distinguishing item that allowed all the staff to know I was with Make-A-Wish; the Genie cap. Characters would step out of line at greetings and off their parade route to hug me and shake my hand, or sign an autograph whenever they saw that particular Genie hat. My family and I never stood in any lines for any ride. They even had a special place within the park where Wish kids could go for a break or to handle their medical care privately. Disney, for me, is and always will be the most magical place on Earth, but not because of a certain character, ride or movie. For the first time in my life, Disney allowed me to experience normalcy. I got to be a kid. I didn’t have to worry about being sick, the next scary procedure, more bad news, or the fear on my parent’s faces they tried their best to hide upon hearing bad news. For the first time, I got to see my parents not worry every second of every day about my medical needs, my survival, medical bills, and everything that accompanies having a chronically, severely ill child. I got to see them laugh with each other, enjoy each other, and enjoy the gift of watching me have the time of my life. My best memories come from Disney, the place of true wonder, imagination, and magic!

Clear!” “We’ve got no response!” “Push the epi!” “Increase the shock to 300 Joules!’ “Clear!” “Resume CPR.” “C’mon, Gage, fight! Don’t you stop fighting, little man!” Doc we’ve got a heartbeat back, blood pressure 60/30 and climbing.” Health and wellness are concepts most young adults don’t think twice about. It is the gift of youth, but not me. I was born a critically ill infant and stared death in the face on more than one occasion. My name is Kristopher Gage Burns. I’m 23 and in my second year of graduate school. I’m pursuing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Jacksonville University in Florida. People that know my story don’t hesitate to call me a miracle. By all accounts, I should not be here today. My journey has been filled with obstacles that would break even the strongest of people. I’ve never known a day of “normal.” I am the underdog. Health has always been at the forefront of my very existence. I lived in hospitals and depended on pumps and machines to live. I’m originally from a small town called Hope, Arkansas. Doctors didn’t hold much hope for me in the beginning, but the underdog didn’t know the word quit. The underdog didn’t know the meaning of give up. I am a fighter, and I am a survivor. At the age of five, I received a multiple organ transplant. I was gifted a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas. During the surgery, I “coded” three times. The transplant was and continues to be a success. However, the surgery was not without complications. I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord during one of the times I coded, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to be functional and independent. For a long time, I lacked the confidence to try team sports. It wasn’t until I found Brooks Rehab and Adaptive Sports Program that I found I was just as capable of trying new things as my peers. For the first time I was trying bowling, archery, surfing, and billiards. I found my love, my sport, my team; the Brooks Ballers wheelchair basketball team; a Division III league team. These guys have become like my second family, and I’m always guaranteed a good workout to relieve some of that college exam stress on the court with the team! My days may be filled with extras like doctor appointments, medications, and lab draws, but it is my journey. It has made me realize I can face and overcome anything that life throws my way, and I can still keep my positive attitude. It has made me a stronger person, thankful for the gifts and people in my life. It has made me a more compassionate and understanding current OT student and future OT. It is my hope as an OT that I can help others achieve the confidence needed to get out there and live life on the court and not the sideline. I am the underdog that doesn’t know the meaning of giving up, and my story will have you cheering for the underdog!

Eating. It sounds simple enough; a mundane task, like breathing. But it was just the opposite for me. My start was far from routine or easy. I was born in Hope, Arkansas and an extremely Ill infant. I made my first of many Life Flights to Arkansas Children’s Hospital shortly after birth. It would also be my first of many surgeries. Doctors weren’t sure what was wrong. Time was ticking, as I was deteriorating. The best course of action was an exploratory surgery to pinpoint the problem(s). Surgeons were quick to find the problem upon my initial surgery. My small and large intestine weren’t connected; duodenal atresia is the medical term. It wouldn’t take much to fix this problem, however, they quickly realized I didn’t have much small intestine; the organ responsible for absorbing fat, minerals, vitamins, and all the things we get from food to sustain life. Babies are typically born with 200 centimeters of small intestine. I had 20 centimeters. They knew immediately I would require more surgical intervention. Surgeons placed a central venous line (CVL) that would allow me to get intravenous (IV) nutrition. They call this form of nutrition total parenteral nutrition (TPN). They also created a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) in my stomach to allow for drip feedings. TPN is hard on the liver. In fact, it causes liver failure with prolonged use. I lived on machines and was hooked to IV poles 24/7. At about the age of 5, the effects of the TPN became evident. My skin was yellowing, my labs were getting worse. I required weekly blood and platelet transfusions. The smell of food made me vomit. My parents didn’t cook anymore. They took turns eating outside and then showering to keep me from smelling food and vomiting. I was critically ill. My liver was failing. My kidneys were starting to fail. I was dying. About that same time, I traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My only hope was a multi-organ transplant. These guys were some of the absolute best in the business of transplants. I was evaluated for an entire week. Even my family was tested to make sure they were emotionally and mentally tough enough for this possible journey. At the end of the week, I was listed for a small intestine, liver, and pancreas transplant. I was due to come back in March for a reevaluation. The transplant team assured my parents I wouldn’t get “the call” before my reevaluation. But life, God, destiny or what you believe in had different plans. My mom got the call in February that organs were available. We made it to Pittsburgh. I spent nearly an entire 24 hours in surgery. I “coded” on the operating table three times. The surgery was and continues to be a success. I did suffer a spinal cord injury during the surgery. I threw a blood clot to my spinal cord during one of the times I coded, leaving me paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Eating was tough. I was 5 and hadn’t done it before. The smell of food used to make me nauseated. Doctors said I had an oral aversion. Initially food had to be the right temperature, texture, even smell for me to try. My parents weren’t above bribes to get me to try food, any food! My name is Kristopher Burns. I’m in my second year of graduate school pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy at Jacksonville University. I’m not vegan, but I do understand what an important role diet plays in health. I plan to use healthy eating concepts with my OT clients.

My name is Kristopher Gage Burns. I was born in the small town of Hope, Arkansas in 2000. I have two brothers and four sisters. I suffered a spinal cord injury due to surgical complications from a multi-visceral organ transplant in 2006. After many grueling months of therapy both physical and occupational, I was finally cleared to go back home. I would be homeschooled until the sixth-grade due to my condition. During my sixth-grade year, I would make the transition to school with other kids. During my summer breaks, I would go to Jacksonville, Florida to spend time with my grandparents who had moved there around 2008. In Jacksonville, I discovered a program called Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation. This program showed me how to do many things that I previously thought to be merely a dream for someone like me. Here I would learn to become more independent and come out of my shell. Thanks to Brooks, I learned how to drive without the use of my legs, transfer from the floor into my chair, and become strong enough to lift myself out of my chair and into vehicles. Brooks also introduced me to archery, surfing, bowling, kayaking, and my favorite, wheelchair basketball. After the summer, I would go back home to school and repeat the cycle each year. During my tenth-grade year, I registered for dual-credit college courses and got my Associate's degree in General Education from UAHT as an honor student only one year after graduating high school magna cum laude. After getting my Associate's degree, I transferred to SAU and received my Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, while getting my required observation hours to apply for Jacksonville University's Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. After submitting my application for JU, I was accepted into the program along with 16 other students in my cohort. After completing my Doctorate, I plan on becoming an occupational therapist. Having undergone countless hours of physical and occupational therapy myself as a patient, I have already been surrounded by this profession for almost my entire life. I would like to be able to gain the skills to become an exceptional OT to help individuals who are in a position similar to the one that I was in. I believe my story and unique position will give me the ability to connect with patients and show them that even though things look bleak now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that every individual deserves the chance to live a happy, fulfilling life no matter what obstacles or hardships may arise in life. I want to be able to give patients the knowledge, tools, and resources to become whole again. I am applying for this award because the tuition at JU is $50,000 a year for a three-year program. I have had an account saved since I was a small child, and after a single year of this program, it is wiped out. Starting this semester, I will have to take out massive student loans to pay for the rest of college to achieve my dream of helping others. Music in general to me regardless of genre is so special because it's a universal language. No matter your language, race, or creed, everyone can understand emotions conveyed through a simple chord progression. I have always been passionate about heavy metal music because it is my dad's favorite genre. His favorite band is Metallica, and I would listen to it with him in the car all of the time. Heavy metal is actually what got me into learning guitar. I've been taking lessons for a little over a year now, and just recently made a song with my friend back home over break. The chugging and aggression of a palm-muted string helps get me going every morning and gets my blood pumping again after an exhausting study session, workout, or basketball game. Some of my favorites are Metallica, King Crimson, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and Megadeth.

My name is Kristopher Burns, but everyone calls me Gage. I just completed my first year of graduate school. I’m pursing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. I’m originally from a small town in Hope, Arkansas. I was born a very ill baby, and took my first of many life flights to Arkansas Children’s Hospital when I was just two days old. I was born with almost no small intestine. Doctors didn’t hold much hope for the kid from Hope and prepared my parents for the worst case scenario. I depended on machines and pumps to live. But I started fighting to prove them wrong, and I never stopped. Soon some of my medical team coined the phrase, “no guts, all heart.” When I was five, I got a second chance at life. My Mom got the call she had been praying for, new organs for me. I received a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas transplant. The surgery was and continues to be a success, however, during the nearly twenty-four hour surgery, I “coded” three times. Doctors worked each time to restore my heart beat and bring me back. Unfortunately during one of these times, I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to become both functional and independent again. When I was ten, I spent the summer visiting family in Jacksonville, Florida. It was pure coincidence that my family stumbled onto Brooks Rehabilitation during a quest to find a beach wheelchair. Brooks wanted to know all about me, and soon I was signed up receiving therapy, gym access, and access to their amazing adaptive sports program! For the first time I was playing with kids just like me. I was pushing myself. I was thriving. I even joined the Brooks Bullsharks Wheelchair Basketball Team, where I am still an avid player with the Ballers today. They had everything you could possibly want to do. I learned to shoot skeet, surf, kayak, play billiards, and bowl just to name a few of my favorite hobbies. I learned to drive with hand controls and a simulator. None of these things were available in my town, and I returned to Brooks almost every single summer. One summer I was able to volunteer as an intern. This sparked my love and passion for OT. I was placed with a patient that the therapists were having a hard time motivating. He wasn’t meeting any goals or actively participating in his therapy. When I rolled through his door, we talked. We connected. He related to me, my wheelchair and struggle. He began working with me. He started making gains. His gains became my gains. It made my heart happy knowing I reached someone, that I helped someone. I decided then that I wanted to help people like me, new to the “wheelchair life” realize they can still achieve their dreams and that everything is still possible because I’m Gage Burns the kid with, “NO GUTS, ALL HEART,” and that’s just how I roll!

Clear!” “We’ve got no response!” “Push the epi!” “Increase the shock to 300 Joules!’ “Clear!” “Resume CPR.” “C’mon, Gage, fight! Don’t you stop fighting, little man!” Doc we’ve got a heartbeat back, blood pressure 60/30 and climbing.” Health and personal wellness most young adults don’t think twice about. It is the gift of youth, but not me. I was born a critically ill infant and stared death in the face on more than one occasion. My name is Kristopher Gage Burns. I’m 23 and just completed my first year of graduate school. I’m pursuing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Jacksonville University in Florida. People that know my story don’t hesitate to call me a miracle. By all accounts, I should not be here today. My health journey has always been at the forefront of my very existence. I lived in hospitals and depended on pumps and machines to live. At the age of five, I received a multiple organ transplant. I was gifted a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas. During the surgery, I “coded” three times. The transplant was and continues to be a success. However, the surgery was not without complications. I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord during one of the times I coded, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to be functional and independent. My personal health journey may look a little different than most twenty-somethings out there. For a long time I didn’t know how and lacked the confidence to try team sports. It wasn’t until I found Brooks Rehab and Adaptive Sports Program that I found I was just as capable of trying new things like my peers. For the first time I was trying; bowling, archery, surfing, and billiards. I found my love, my sport, my team, the Brooks Ballers wheelchair basketball team; a Division III league team. These guys have become like my second family, and I’m always guaranteed a good workout to relieve some of that college exam stress! My days may be filled with extras like doctor appointments, medications, and lab draws, but it is all my health journey. It is my hope as an OT that I can help others achieve the confidence needed to get out there and live life on the court and not the sidelines!

“Clear!” “We’ve got no response!” “Push the epi!” “Increase the shock to 300 Joules!’ “Clear!” “Resume CPR.” “C’mon, Gage, fight! Don’t you stop fighting, little man!” Doc we’ve got a heartbeat back, blood pressure 60/30 and climbing.” Health and personal wellness most young adults don’t think twice about. It is the gift of youth, but not me. I was born a critically ill infant and stared death in the face on more than one occasion. My name is Kristopher Gage Burns. I’m 23 and just completed my first year of graduate school. I’m pursuing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Jacksonville University in Florida. People that know my story don’t hesitate to call me a miracle. By all accounts, I should not be here today. Personal wellness has always been at the forefront of my very existence. I lived in hospitals and depended on pumps and machines to live. At the age of five, I received a multiple organ transplant. I was gifted a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas. During the surgery, I “coded” three times. The transplant was and continues to be a success. However, the surgery was not without complications. I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord during one of the times I coded, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to be functional and independent. Personal wellness may look a little different for me than most 20 somethings out there. For a long time I didn’t know how and lacked the confidence to try team sports. It wasn’t until I found Brooks Rehab and Adaptive Sports Program that I found I was just as capable of trying as my peers. For the first time I was trying bowling, archery, surfing, and billiards. I found my love, my sport, my team; the Brooks Ballers wheelchair basketball team; a Division III league team. These guys have become like my second family, and I’m always guaranteed a good workout to relieve some of that college exam stress! My days may be filled with extras like doctor appointments, medications, and lab draws, but it is all my personal wellness journey. It is my hope as an OT that I can help others achieve the confidence needed to get out there and live life on the court and not the sideline.

My name is Kristopher Burns. I come from a blended family and am the oldest of 7 kids. I’ve just completed my first year of graduate school at Jacksonville University in Florida. I am the first in my family to attend graduate school. Although I was born very Ill, lived on machines until I received a multi-organ transplant at age 5 and sustained a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord leaving me in a wheelchair, this story is not about me. It is about my younger brother, Wyatt. Wyatt was born in 2012 and my first brother. I was excited to say the least. I was going from only child to having a little brother. Everything was perfect with Wyatt until about 6 months of age. Until that point he had been growing, thriving, and hitting milestones; a seemingly perfect baby. But he soon began slowing, even regressing. He made clusters of odd and particular movements that seemed to become more pronounced with time. My mom put a call into the pediatrician, but began searching the internet. It was there she found a video of a child having an infantile spasm. She knew immediately this was the same thing Wyatt was experiencing. She began reading. I’ll never forget the very first sentence she came across in that search of infantile spasm; a rare and catastrophic infant seizure disorder that doesn’t respond well to medications. She called my Stepdad that evening who was working a 48 hour paramedic shift, two counties away and asked him to come home. The rest was a whirlwind with an emergency transfer to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Wyatt had a battery of tests to determine the cause of the seizures and to hopefully find a regimen to work or slow down the damage the multiple seizures were having on his brain and development. Neurofibromatosis, birth injury, cortical dysplasia are all linked to the development of infantile spasms. At about 18 months, Wyatt was worked up in Detroit. He had initial brain surgery to place grids. Seizures were then induced. This allowed neurologists and neurosurgeons to fully determine the origin of the seizures. It was determined Wyatt had focal cortical dysplasia. He was a surgical candidate, but doctors would have to remove the entire right hemisphere of his brain. Medications to this point had failed, and if Wyatt even survived, eventually he would have no quality of life without this major surgery. Fast forward to today. Wyatt is almost 11 years old. He, of course, has lifelong developmental delays, ADHD, left-sided weakness, and visual impairments, but he’s here! He’s happy! He is one of the biggest reasons I chose occupational therapy. I got to work with him. I saw his confidence skyrocket, and his gains became just as important to me as my own! Some days are a struggle. Some things will always be a struggle for him. But when I think about his struggle and how far this kid, my baby brother has come, it makes the struggle that much sweeter. I found my passion in helping others succeed. I’ve learned it takes patience and a lot of thinking “outside the box,” and I can’t wait to help even more people on my journey to OT!

I believe that sports are one of the biggest unifiers of mankind in the world. It brings together people of wildly varying backgrounds and lived experiences to achieve a common goal. Sports can even extend beyond the competition of the game itself as an agent of social progress. Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier and playing for the Dodgers, Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Muhammed Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and more at the famous Cleveland Summit, and in more recent times, Christiano Ronaldo delivering a message of peace in solidary with Ukraine are just a small number of examples in a vast multitude of cases of sports being bigger than just a game. Sports personally play a huge role in my life. I'm from a small town called Hope in Arkansas. I've been a Razorback fan for as long as I've been sentient. When I was six years old, I was paralyzed from the waist down due to a complication during a lengthy procedure. After my surgery, I would watch sports on tv, and while I loved watching the games, I concluded that I would never be able to be an active participant. After finishing my sixth-grade year, I spent a summer in Florida with some of my family and discovered Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation program. I participated in archery, surfing, bowling, pool, sled hockey, and the game I love the most, wheelchair basketball. The sport has given me a new sense of confidence, perseverance, happiness, countless unforgettable memories, and a band of brothers that would run through a brick wall for me and vice versa. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Southern Arkansas University in 2021. After completing the necessary observation hours, I completed an application to enroll in Jacksonville University's Doctorate Occupational Therapy program. After a rather anxious waiting period, I finally received the news that I was one of the 17 students that were accepted into the class of 2025. I have just now completed my 1st year in a 3-year program to become an occupational therapist. I hope to advocate for those who are currently in a position that I once faced and give them the necessary tools and resources to achieve their dreams. On top of that, after moving to Florida full-time for school, I played in my first full season for my wheelchair basketball team. I scored my first double-digit point game against Miami's wheelchair basketball team. Not too bad for somebody who was once just a small kid that didn't think he had any room in the world of sports. I credit my success to my amazing support system, teammates, coaches both past and present, and my sports heroes before me who motivated me to dream big, keep my head down, and push despite any adversity I may face.

My name is Kristopher Burns, and I am a first year graduate student pursuing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. I was born with duodenal atresia. I had my first of many life flights and surgeries when I was less than two days old. Pediatric surgeons surgically connected my small intestine to my large, however, they soon realized I had very little small intestine. I was born with 1/10 the normal amount. I had extremely short gut syndrome. Most people in this category have not survived, to date. Doctors prepared my parents for the worst case scenarios while I began fighting for every single day. I depended on machines and pumps daily to live. When I was five, I got the call my family, my church, my town, and even complete strangers had been praying for. There were new organs, and I was a match. We flew to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, racing against the clock. I received a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas transplant. The surgery was long and intense. I “coded” on the hospital table three times. Although the surgery was and continues to be a success, I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord during one of the times I coded. This left me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to become functional and independent. I first learned of equine therapy during the summer at Temple Rehabilitation (Easter Seals). My Physical Therapy Assistant, Ms. Jeanine ran a personal equine ranch and allowed patients to participate in this therapy. I was trying to relearn to walk and therapists felt this would help. I was scared at first, not being able to use my bottom half and being around such large animals. But they were gentle and amazing with all the patients, regardless of the disability. I am passionate about helping those like me, especially those new to the “wheelchair life” learn to adapt and become functional and independent. I am excited to continue to learn about new and emerging therapies, like equine therapy, that are showing proven results in patient satisfaction and function. I have a love for my community and desire to give back. I am active in the Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports Program. You can find me on the basketball court as a Brooks Baller. We are a Division 3 team. I have participated in the Miracle Mile as a sponsored athlete for Brooks and multiple fundraising programs. I recently helped the First Coast Cruisers purchase pediatric mobility race cars for several children in our community through fundraising. I am also an active member in the Student Occupational Therapy Association. I learned from an early age that not one day is promised. Always leave a situation and people better than you found them. Always give back. Remember to count your blessings. Life may not look anything like you expected, but you have to keep rolling on! I’m Gage Burns, and that’s how I roll!

My name is Kristopher Burns, but everyone calls me Gage. I’m in my first year of graduate school pursing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. I’m originally from a small town in Hope, Arkansas. I was born a very ill baby, and took my first of many life flights to Arkansas Children’s Hospital when I was just two days old. I was born with almost no small intestine. Doctors didn’t hold much hope from the kid from Hope and prepared my parents for the worst case scenario. I depended on machines and pumps to live. But I started fighting to prove them wrong, and I never stopped. Soon some of my medical team coined the phrase, “no guts, all heart.” When I was five, I got a second chance at life. My Mom got the call she had been praying for, new organs for me. I received a new liver, small intestine, and pancreas transplant. The surgery was and continues to be a success, however, during the nearly twenty-four hour surgery, I “coded” three times. Doctors worked each time to restore my heart beat and bring me back. Unfortunately during one of these times I developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both physical and occupational therapy relearning to become both functional and independent again. When I was ten, I spent the summer visiting family in Jacksonville, Florida. It was pure coincidence that my family stumbled onto Brooks Rehabilitation during a quest to find a beach wheelchair. Brooks wanted to know all about me, and soon I was signed up receiving therapy, gym access, and access to their amazing adaptive sports program! For the first time I was playing with kids just like me. I was pushing myself. I was thriving. I even joined the Brooks Bullsharks Wheelchair Basketball Team, where I am still an avid player today. They had everything you could possibly want to do. I learned to shoot skeet, surf, kayak, play billiards, and bowl just to name a few of my favorite hobbies. I learned to drive with hand controls and a simulator. None of these things were available in my town, and I returned to Brooks almost every single summer. One summer I was able to volunteer as an intern. This sparked my love and passion for OT. I was placed with a patient that the therapists were having a hard time motivating. He wasn’t meeting any goals or actively participating in his therapy. When I rolled through his door, we talked. We connected. He related to me. He began working with me. He started making gains. His gains became my gains. It made my heart happy knowing I reached someone, that I helped someone. I decided then that I wanted to help people like me, new to the “wheelchair life” realize they can still achieve their dreams and that everything is still possible because I’m Gage Burns the kid with, “NO GUTS, ALL HEART,” and that’s just how I roll!

My name is Kristopher Burns, but everyone calls me Gage. I have never known a day of “normal.” My story is a rather amazing tale of perseverance, miracles, and as my Mom would say, my true grit and unwavering optimism. I have lived in hospitals all over the United States, for days, weeks, and months at a single time. I have also died in hospitals. Thankfully my teams have always battled right alongside me, never giving up on me! I dare say I have consulted with most pediatric specialties at some point in my lifetime, as well. At a young age I was gifted a second chance at life, a chance at “normal,” a chance to be a kid, a chance to make friends, go to a public school instead of the hospital or home-school, a chance to escape constant beeping of hospital pumps, blood draws, poking, prodding, fear of the unknown, the mundane same four walls and never ending days and nights inside the hospital. This gift was not promised or certain, but my fate without this gift, was without a doubt, final and absolute. This gift continues to bring me life and health, but this gift was not without unforeseen and unexpected medical complications that could not be altered or fixed by medicine or surgical intervention. But this complication allowed me to ultimately find my passion, my reason for being, and even though it was an unfortunate event, it has allowed me to relate to the people I will one day be helping. They open up to me, they try for me because they know I know understand. Every single day is a gift! I am still here and smiling! This gift is the reason I push to be better every day. I hope that in everything I do, I am making my gifter and his parent’s proud, even if we never meet. I want them to know that I plan to leave the world and the people I encounter in a better place than I found them. I want them to know I am going to help others, like me, adapt to the unexpected complications of life. I want to inspire those of all ability to continue to believe in themselves, achieve their dreams, and realize that everything is still possible! I am Kristopher Gage Burns. I am a first year graduate student pursuing my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

The dream of my future self would be to receive my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and help people like myself, that are confined to wheelchairs, achieve their dreams.

I’m No Guts, ALL Heart! My name is Kristopher Burns, but everyone calls me Gage. I was born with short gut syndrome, basically I had no guts. I depended on machines and special intravenous (IV) therapy to live. When I was five, I was matched with a donor. I received a multi-organ transplant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the surgery, I “coded” three times. Doctors worked meticulously to restore my heartbeat and vital signs each time. After I was extubated, three days later, I told my Mom I couldn’t move my legs. After much testing and advanced imaging, it was determined I most likely developed a blood clot that traveled to my spinal cord. This left me paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. I spent many years in both Occupational and Physical Therapy to relearn how to adjust to my new normal, become functional, and regain my independence. When I was ten, my parents went through a divorce, although amicable, my Mom thought it would be a good idea for me to spend that summer in Florida with my family. On a quest to find out more information about beach wheelchairs, my Uncle Dale happened upon Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital. They wanted to know all about me! That summer I began my first of many summers at Brooks. It was amazing! I had never encountered anything like it before in my small Arkansas town. They had everything! Wheelchair basketball, archery, surfing, billiards, bowling. You name it, and you could bet their adaptive sports program was doing it! I played with kids like me for the first time. I worked with therapists all summer who donated their time and skills because they wanted me to succeed. This inspired my love for therapy and what quality therapy and programs can do for people of any and all ability. I’ve even come back as an intern during the summer to learn from the therapists who worked with me and help others. I’m proud to say I’m in my first year of graduate school in Jacksonville, Florida pursuing my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. I am passionate about helping people of all ability, but especially those new to the wheelchair life continue their dreams and realize any and everything is still possible. I got a second chance at life. I never met my donor family, but I hope I make them proud every single day. This might not have been a planned outcome from transplant surgery, but that’s how life goes. I’m No Guts, ALL Heart, and that’s how I roll!