Meet David Watson

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Watson. Them and their team share their story with us below:

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I had my first son in 1981. I was paralyzed in Vanderbilt hospital by Gillian Barree Syndrome. It would be a year before I could walk on my own. (Josh and I learned to walk at the same time). While in the hospital, I answered questions by blinking my eyes. The last muscles I could use were blinking and breathing. The family was called in one evening to visit before I was hooked on a Respirator, but luckily, I stabilized by morning… I was told the respirator would have been a year or longer.

I was on a hunting trip at land between the lakes with my father and brothers when I noticed I could not hold up my rifle or think straight. I made it back to camp dragging my rifle; daddy sat by the breakfast fire. Drove me straight to Vanderbilt in the cab of a 66 Chevy pickup. 2nd son Matt 1984. It would be three years before I could walk any distance tired, was a loss of strength that took weeks to recoup. I had aseptic meningitis in 2004 (2 weeks Vanderbilt).

And spinal meningitis a few years later, I have been on death’s bed three times and take life slow, deliberate, and appreciating each hour of my days on earth. I was a regular at the local gym, leg pressing 650 benches 230 but could never regain my agility or stamina. Twenty years later… outer skin has no feeling, 2-3 second delay in pain.

Slower mind that turns on and off, lol, maybe I’m just getting older and don’t know it yet, but I can still chainsaw, stack wood, shovel, rake circles around folks half my age. I retired as a Ten State Park Ranger after 30 years which was a blessing from the department’s staff and fellow employees. After recovering from GBR is, I was certified in Mountain Rescue; I taught rappelling and rescue to Boy Scouts, Hunter Education, and Archery Instructor, canoeing, river rescue, Horse Mounted Ranger, and 10-day Survival School.

A distinguished expert marksman, I held TLETA indoor foot pursuit record obstacle course (before GBS). Drug school and First Responder First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and Rescue. I don’t use harsh words, consider others’ feelings a fault, and keep my mind open. I am not a conversationalist but enjoy conversing.

I spend my time writing words of reason and rhyme. Morning is a favorite time to sit; evenings are a favorite time to sit, contemplate, and write. I believe everyone has a purpose, a niche that they fit into. I know my limitations, I am a realist, I can see the future but can’t explain it. I have my mother’s instruments, a Kalamazoo resonator guitar with a dobro nut, purchased by her daddy in 1935 from a pawn shop in Nashville, and a Kalamazoo lap steel with a 14” Kalamazoo tube amp.

She took lessons from Lefty Frazell. Hawaiian music was a fad back then.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I retired as a Tenn State Park Ranger after 30 years which was a blessing from the department’s staff and fellow employees.

After recovering from GBR is, was certified in Mountain Rescue, I taught rappelling and rescue to Boy Scouts, Hunter Education, and Archery Instructor, canoeing, river rescue, Horse Mounted Ranger and 10-day Survival School distinguished expert marksman; I held TLETA indoor foot pursuit record obstacle course (before GBS).

Drug school and First Responder First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and Rescue.

What matters most to you? Why?
God’s opinion. I believe we are three people. 1. Who we think we are, 2. How others see us, and 3. How God sees us. The closer the three are, the happier we are.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DavidWWatsonMusic/?ref=bookmarks
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwPix8PjwMfr99pbXNJmrnw
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/9gmPr8Ee3ccGzHnY9