In June of 2007, who knew that a quiet writer, when all publishers completed their tallies, was reaching a potential audience of 12,000,000 readers per month. No one was more surprised than the writer himself.

Ottawa born, few people know the life challenges James C. Tanner has had to overcome on a day to day basis.

With a daily life which was wrought with immense physical pain, today James C. Tanner outwardly displays a quiet, warm and endearing spirit. Having endured and recovered from a disabling spinal injury due to a vehicle accident, he walks through life with a gentle smile, bellowing at times with belly busting laughter.

Refusing to cave into the gravity of his physical condition, James C. Tanner has demonstrated an inner determination, taking life firmly in both hands, forcing his body to rebound.

“I can remember some months after my accident pushing my legs to swing normally in spite of the nerve damage to my low back and left leg, (the leg years later still has only a pins and needles sensation to the touch).  As I walked the streets of Abbotsford, I can remember cars driving by, and people inside those same cars throwing empty beer bottles at me while yelling insults.”

Today as a result of his journey through the life lessons learned as a result of his injuries, James C. Tanner smiles his way through everyday challenges even though, like 70% to 80% of the adult population, he has had to come to terms with sometimes painful and stiffening osteoarthritis in his spine (a haunting reminder of his past injuries).

In spite of the harsh cruelty of those in his city as well as church community; people who often mocked and ridiculed, accusing him of faking his injuries, James C. Tanner kept pushing on, never losing sight of who he was as a person.

James shares, “It was difficult putting up with the ignorant crap that came from people who lacked the ability and proper manners to mind their own business.  I would take my therapeutic walks every day pushing my legs to swing properly. Whenever people threw insulting or derogatory comments my way I would simply think back to all the times I spent at the back end of a horse or cow with a pitch fork in my hand.  I would remind myself — one truth remains…crap is still crap, no matter the form it takes or where it comes from.”

Quietly James goes on to say, “Everyday after my accident, my focus was totally on fighting hard to get my quality of life back.  For years I was living life pumped up on so many prescription pills that I was literally too full to eat.  The mental haze created by my daily morphine pills was the hardest thing to fight through.  I still can’t remember most of 2003.  For more than five years, I lived, or should I say…was stoned…every day on morphine.”

When Doctor’s gave little hope for his long term outcome advising James to start pricing out walkers and wheelchairs, James continued to push his body.

With a chuckle James adds,  “Over the years I’ve seen so many Doctors, it’s safe to say I’ve been poked and prodded more times than a hooker coated in pheromones.”

Over time, some 27 Doctors, Medical Specialists, and alternative medicine practitioners have contributed to his medical file.

When asked what the over all experience has been like, James draws a slow quiet smile and says reflectively, “I’ve been wired up and had electricity shot through my body. Physio therapists have twisted me in ways I thought were humanly impossible.  I’ve had hundreds of needles pushed into my body  by an over zealous acupuncturist. A naturopath once told me to eat plants my dog wouldn’t even think of peeing on!”

Digging deep James C. Tanner forged ahead with a purpose driven passion…the pursuit for self-mastery–an ongoing work.

Today he walks most often with a normal gait, but when tired he proudly shows off what her refers to as his version of a “John Wayne saunter”.

“My jogging days are gone, and it’s more difficult to chase the ladies, but in the past I quickly discovered that it’s really easy to trip good looking single ladies up with my cane.” With a gentle chuckle James goes on to say, “It slowed down the ladies a bit, making getting a date just a little bit easier.”  Today his cane collects dust — with no reflection on his dating life.

“In the face of difficult moments,” says James C. Tanner, “when life throws us a curve ball, it can be difficult to know how to navigate our way through the mess of our circumstance. The path to overcoming our greatest obstacle always starts with a choice–the gut driven, in your face, when everyone else says you can’t, decision to RISE ABOVE!”

About James C. Tanner:

James C. Tanner has authored and taught on the subject of business, as well as the creation of a skills development training program for clients such as, but not limited to the Human Resources Development Branch of the Government of Canada.  He has founded, owned, built, and sold his own businesses.

An author of several books. His articles are in wide circulation focusing on the subjects of business, internet marketing, psychology, and all matters related to the human spirit.

A highly skilled and trained horseman, James C. Tanner is proud to consider himself a true horseman at heart no matter where life leads him.

Today,  he leads a quiet life in British Columbia, Canada.

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