Why is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a wheelchair?

GREG Abbott’s political positions led to his becoming a headline public figure.

Although Governor Abbott was a highly respected politician for many years, some do not know why he is confined to a wheelchair.

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Why is Governor Greg Abbott in a wheelchair?

When he was 26, a freak accident left Greg Abbott paralyzed from the waist down.

On July 14, 1984, Abbott was jogging before a storm knocked down an oak tree.

As a result of the accident, he had to have two steel rods implanted in his spine and undergo extensive rehab at the TIRR Hermann Memorial in Houston, Texas.

According to his website, the recovery process reminded him of his life lessons, including perseverance.

Abbott revealed in a YouTube video posted to his official account, “I just jogged along like any other day.”

“Then, bam – a huge explosion-like sound rang out right next to me.”

The politician further shared: “The next thing I know, I was down because this huge tree fell on me.”

“The pain was excruciating, it felt like someone had put a sledgehammer on my back.”

“I was literally at death’s door and felt like I had to cling to every single moment.”

“When you’re lying in bed choking in pain, you have to apply lessons you’ve learned all your life.”

Abbott recalled, “For me, that lesson was perseverance. It was the lesson to never, ever give up.”

“Our lives are not defined by our challenges. Instead, we can define our lives by how we respond to those challenges.”

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Who is Greg Abbott?

Abbott is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and later received his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School in Tennessee.

Upon graduation, Abbott became Texas Attorney General, serving from 2002 to 2015.

During his tenure as an AG, he filed 31 lawsuits against former President Barack Obama.

His political stance ran counter to most of the Democratic Party’s views.

After his AG service, he became the 48th governor of Texas.

Is Greg Abbott Married?

Abbott is married to Cecilia Abbott, the two married in 1981 and have been together for almost 40 years.

Similar to her husband, Cecilia is a member of the Republican Party and was historically recognized as Texas’ first Hispanic First Lady in 2015.

She is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and grew up in San Antonio.

Before entering politics, she was a teacher and former principal.

The two share a daughter, Audrey, who has a college degree from the University of Southern California.