There are similar degrees of calmness, courage and gratitude in Bruce Cook鈥檚 voice when he reflects on the day that changed his life forever.

In January 2014, during a action sport show in Hamilton, Ont., Cook was seriously injured while attempting the world鈥檚 first ever double front flip on a motorcycle.

The trick didn鈥檛 go nearly as planned as Cook slid off the back of his bike, breaking a vertebrae and damaging his spinal cord. Cook had lost the use of his legs and would spend the next 66 days in hospital. The road to recovery wouldn鈥檛 be easy.

Still, once the initial shock had subsided, and as dire as his situation may have seemed to others, Cook quickly decided the injury wasn鈥檛 going to take control of his life or his passion.

鈥淚 knew (the injury) it was bad, but at the same time I realized I was alive and the situation I was in was a lot better than the alternative, a little bittersweet I guess you could say,鈥� Cook said.

鈥淚 think I decided pretty early, that isn鈥檛 the way I pictured going out, on a stretcher and being wheeled out of an arena,鈥� he added. 鈥淚 decided it wasn鈥檛 going to be my last time. I had to get back out on that bike, get in front of a crowd and do it least one more time.鈥�

Four years later, using a modified bike, the 30-year-old Cook is going strong, displaying his talents at Nitro Circus shows all across North America.

Next month, for the first time ever, Cook will perform his trademark backflip in his hometown when Nitro comes to 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Apple Bowl.

鈥淚鈥檓 sure it鈥檚 going to be pretty overwhelming,鈥� Cook said of the 91大黄鸭 show. 鈥淭here have been fans and support from all over the world, so to finally be doing it at home will be exciting. Obviously most of my close friends are here, the majority of them have never seen me in Nitro, let alone anywhere else, so that鈥檒l be pretty special.鈥�

Growing up in the Cook household, the word 鈥渃an鈥檛鈥� simply wasn鈥檛 part of the family鈥檚 vocabulary, he said鈥攁 theme that formed the basis of what would be a long and challenging recovery.

鈥淢y dad and grandpa were the kind of people who said 鈥榃hen the going gets tough, the tough get going鈥� and that鈥檚 always stuck with me,鈥� he said.

After undergoing treatment at GF Strong in Vancouver, followed by several visits to Project Walk in California, Cook steadily regained his strength and confidence. Nine months to the day after the accident, with his newly-modified bike, Cook was riding again.

Then, a month after that, in November 2014, the moment Cook had long anticipated, he landed his first backflip in Maryland.

鈥淭hat was a pretty emotional moment for me,鈥� said Cook. 鈥淏efore that, I really, honestly didn鈥檛 know if it was possible. It was feeling I鈥檇 never experienced.

鈥淎 lot of people think it鈥檚 stupid, getting back on something that almost killed me,鈥� he added. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 an extreme passion of mine, I鈥檝e been riding since I was five. It was something I had to do or I鈥檇 regret it. I had so much support from family and friends along the way, and that was really important.鈥�

Now more than 100 shows later, close friend Kevin Bosch continues to admire Cook鈥檚 resolve, passion and dedication to his craft.

Then again, Bosch, who has supported Cook throughout his journey, isn鈥檛 the least bit surprised his friend has overcome the odds, both in life and in his work.

鈥淭here were a lot of questions at first, what being a paraplegic would mean, him not being able to walk,鈥� said Bosch, who met Cook on a job site 10 years ago. 鈥淏ut in my dealings with him, I knew he would get through it. I鈥檝e seen the guy bouncing off the pavement from 50 feet in the air, get up and give a thumbs up. I knew mentally he would be OK.

鈥淗e was positive from day one in the hospital and that has followed him all the way along.鈥�

In addition to his exploits on a motorcycle, Bosch marvels at how Cook鈥檚 example serves as inspiration and motivation for so many others facing challenges in their own lives.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud, beyond words, proud of what he鈥檚 accomplished post-accident,鈥� Bosch said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 encouraged people literally across the world. It鈥檚 unreal to hear a mom talk about her little son who has been down and out, in a wheelchair for example, and how Bruce puts a smile on his face and gives him hope. Or just kids who are struggling day to day. It鈥檚 amazing, inspirational.鈥�

As for Cook鈥檚 future plans as a performer, he has no specific plans to retire but knows change will soon be on the way.

鈥淎s far as a dirt bike goes, I have nothing to prove,鈥� Cook said. 鈥淚 think I have at least another year or two of touring in me, then maybe look at other things. 鈥淲hen I get some time, I would like to do some keynote speaking, to try and help people who are injured or down on their luck,鈥� he added. 鈥淚鈥檝e had a long career and a good one, and I鈥檇 like to give back.鈥�

Cook is about to hit the road for another season on the Nitro Circus tour, beginning with the first show April 28 in Edinburg, Texas.

Four weeks later, on May 25, Cook will perform at the Apple Bowl in 91大黄鸭.

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whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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