A long time — more than eight years, in fact — has passed since Adam Taliaferro recovered from paralysis to lead Penn State onto the field against Miami. The former Penn State cornerback still embraces telling his story.
“To be able to share my story, I feel like it is my calling,” said Taliaferro. “I enjoy being able to help anyone.”
His story starts with an unlucky tackle against Ohio State on Sept. 23, 2000, which left him with a bruised spinal cord and a diagnoses that he would never walk. It continues today as the story of a fully walking attorney at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss Law Firm, two blocks from the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital where he recovered.
“(The injury) is definitively something I look back at from day to day,” said Taliaferro. “If I am struggling at something at work, it puts it into perspective.
“To have your health and family is very important.”
Taliaferro still visits the nearby hospital on a regular basis, hoping to inspire people fighting paralysis. As part of his organization, the Adam Taliaferro Foundation, he routinely gives inspirational speeches and works at fundraising events.
“I had so much support at Penn State,” said Taliaferro. “Some of these kids are 16-years-old or younger and don’t have the same support financially or emotionally.
“That is half the battle in getting better.”
The Pennsylvania native returns to Penn State often, aiming to see three to four games a season. This weekend he will come to State College with a different focus: to inspire kids into an education.
Adam will be honored at the Penn’s Civilians Educational Organization’s 5th Annual Fund Raising Dinner 6 p.m. today at the Boalsburg Elks Country Club.
“Adam was told he would never walk again,” said board president Curt Marshall. “A lot of kids are told they can not and will not make it.
“You work hard and have the right people and training you can make it.”
Like Taliaferro’s foundation, the educational organization was started by a former Penn State football player. Leaving the Penn State football program after some off-field issues his senior year, receiver Rick Sayles graduated college and went on to create an organization aimed to keep kids on an educational track.
“I started by mentoring kids after school,” said Sayles. “I wanted to get the local organizations together to help young people make better choices.
“The meat and potatoes is seeing kids and confirming they have made it.”
A major focus in his organization is getting kids of lower socio-economic situations interested in education.
“We want to make it cool to be smart,” said Marshall. “Peer pressure makes creates the image that being smart is not is not part of being black.
“Black, Spanish or whatever, you need to well in school.”
Marshall believes Taliaferro’s story of success is a prime example for children.
“For me, my parents would not let me play football if I did not get a good education,” said Taliaferro. “In my situation with the injury, if I had not gotten an education my life would be nowhere right now.
“When I speak to kids, I like to show them that.”
Taliaferro hopes to do more work with the Penn Civilians Educational Organization. He also aims to continue strengthening his foundation and his career.
“Professionally I just want to learn and grow,” said Taliaferro. “My goal for the foundation is to continue to grow.”
“Any honor I receive for what I do is a blessing. To be able to influence people really hits home with me.”
What: Penn’s Civilians Educational Organization’s 5th Annual Fund Raising Dinner
Where/When: 6 p.m. today at Boalsburg Elks Country Club
(Click to Register)
