Every time Blake McMeans begins one of his many public speeches, he gets up from his wheelchair, goes over to the podium and stands.
Sometimes the process takes five minutes, other times less. When he’s settled—with his caregiver, Tony, by his side—he starts his talk the way he starts all his talks.
“They say a picture’s worth a thousand words,” McMeans tells the rapt crowd. “You saw a picture of what can happen to a person who decides to drink and drive.”
McMeans’ story is one of promise, tragedy, debilitation, redemption and second chances. Growing up in Knoxville, TN, McMeans became a standout athlete in his formative years. His father was a football player at the University of Tennessee, but Blake was more of a natural on the court than on the gridiron. He became one of the top tennis players in the country, and dreamed of a professional career.
But at 16, McMeans’ world was turned upside down. His father—his idol—suddenly died of a heart attack at 46. It crushed the aspiring teenager, but his goal of becoming a professional tennis player never wavered.
McMeans received several scholarship offers from around the country, but decided to stay close to home and play tennis at UT, his father’s alma mater.
But McMeans would never play a match for the Volunteers.
Three months before what would have been the start of his college career, on Nov. 10, 1994, McMeans went out drinking with some buddies, got behind the wheel and ran off the road. He hit a tree, and the car flipped over three times.
The prognosis was grim. McMeans was in a coma for nearly four months. When he came out, he was confined to a wheelchair, and had to re-learn how to swallow, sit, talk and stand.
Now 40, McMeans has come to terms with what happened to him many years ago. Tennis will always hold a special place in his heart, but he sincerely believes that his accident led to a far greater purpose in life.
“I don’t think about the accident anymore,” says McMeans. “It happened. It’s over. You need to move on, so I’ve moved on.”