Foundation celebrating 10-year anniversary

HURON TWP. — An upcoming weekend aims to not only raise funds for an important cause but also celebrate a nonprofit's 10-year anniversary. Tyson Gentry, a 2004 Perkins High School graduate, serves as the founder and president of the New Perspective Foundation. Beginning in 2014, on an annual basis, he's returned to Erie County, putting on events to support families of victims who suffered spinal cord injuries. Gentry, who today lives in Georgia, suffered a spinal cord injury while playing football for Ohio State. All money received from these events covers costs so relatives can primarily focus on the person in pain without worrying about any other monetary burden. This would include travel-related expenses like airfare, gas and lodging. Throughout the past decade, New Perspective has raised more than $560,000, directly benefiting about 250 families. "The financial strain should not be what families are focused on during this time. They have enough on their minds already," said Gentry, adding how the foundation benefits those living in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. "We created this foundation because there aren't any other resources out there that address this need." With two upcoming events, Gentry hopes even more people contribute toward and learn about his mission. On the schedule Here's a look at the marquee events for this year's community fundraiser weekend put on by New Perspective. People should note both events, occurring in the Sandusky area, have sold out: • July 26 at the Sandusky-area Kalahari Resorts & Conventions for a breakfast with Jim Tressel and Ted Ginn Jr.; The event will allow guests to enjoy a question-and-answer session with these legendary football figures best known for their time as Ohio State Buckeyes, bid on a silent auction and then meet these guests of honor afterward. • July 27 at Sawmill Creek Resort; The golf outing offers people 18 holes, two meals, drinks and a T-shirt. There will also be raffles and prizes. People can still make donations toward these fundraisers. They can do so and learn more information by visiting newperspective.org. New Perspective is also overseeing a raffle in which it's giving away four tickets to this year's Ohio State-Michigan college football game. It includes a parking pass. People can visit newperspective.org/raffle for more information. Understanding the perspective Other than through the fundraiser, Gentry informs others about his foundation through many public speaking engagements. Earlier this year, for instance, he spoke to elementary-age students at Margaretta Schools He stressed the importance of being another person's strength. He firsthand learned about this when his friends and family members constantly supported him during his most difficult times. "Put other people's situations before your own and be their strength," Gentry said. "Listening can be a huge thing." Despite what he's gone through, Gentry noted he's embraced the many positives in his life coming after his accident. Most notably, he would have never met his wife, Megan; had kids, Adam and Ryan, with her; or gained a platform to talk with students. "All the good that's come from my injury I'm so thankful for," Gentry said. Gentry also underscored the idea of putting things into perspective. He recalled a time while in the hospital during his spinal cord injury. Gentry met a patient who he said was in a coma-like state. If his injury was slightly more severe, he could have been in the same condition. "As much as I was angry at certain things, there's always a silver lining," Gentry said. Tyson Gentry, a 2004 Perkins High School graduate and the founder of New Perspective Foundation, with his wife, Megan, and their two children, Adam and Ryan. Staying busy Beyond organizing the fundraising and touring the country with his motivational speeches, Gentry found time to publish his first two books in September. Both are forwarded by Tressel: • The first book: "The Winning Mentality for Student-Athletes: Strategies for Mental Toughness in Competition and Life" It "teaches athletes about the importance of the mental side of preparing for and competing in sports," Gentry said. "These strategies will carry over into life beyond athletics, so they can be used well after their playing careers are over." • The second book: "The Winning Mentality for Christian-Athletes: Strategies for Mental Toughness in Competition and Life" It's "basically the same exact book only each chapter has a faith component to it." He's also written another book. "My children's book is going to be officially published any day now, and the title is 'Rainy Day Fun: An Origami Adventure,'" Gentry said. "The premise of the story is to not let your circumstances stop you from having fun," he added. "It teaches about the importance of staying positive and working together to overcome whatever you might face in life. It also has an origami component where the reader folds a piece of paper along with the story so they can pretend to be a part of it." People can purchase one of Gentry's books or schedule a speaking appearance featuring him by visiting tysongentry.com. This past year, Tyson Gentry authored two books: "The Winning Mentality for Christian Athletes: Strategies for Mental Toughness in Competition and Life" and "The Winning Mentality for Student-Athletes: Strategies for Mental Toughness in Competition and Life." A career-changing injury Through past Register reporting, Gentry opened up about his life-changing injury and the reasons for why he started New Perspective. After being recruited as a preferred walk-on by the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 2004, Gentry suffered a horrific injury during an intrasquad scrimmage two years later. In 2006, he caught a pass over the middle of the field and, upon being tackled, awkwardly hit the ground. Gentry was instantly paralyzed from the neck down — and his life, along with his family's, changed forever. After undergoing two surgeries, followed by two months of inpatient physical and occupational therapy, Gentry realized the stresses an injury like this can place on everyone involved. "My parents drove roundtrip to Columbus after my injury many, many times, and they spent over $1,000 on gas alone," Gentry said. Gentry didn't want others, complete strangers even, to experience financial hardships if they suffered similar incapacitating injuries. So he turned a personal crushing blow into a benevolent and unparalleled cause. The annual Erie County-based fundraisers represent New Perspective's largest annual source of revenue. "Life can change in a split second, and it's really difficult to go at it alone when you face something like this," Gentry said. "Our community has been so supportive of me since my injury. In the event anything ever happens to someone in our community like what happened to me, that person can rely on us to be able to help them and support them through that difficult time." Gentry has also used his injury, through speaking engagements, as a platform to help others. "I really enjoy sharing my story and teaching people what I have learned about handling adversity and having a resilient mentality," he said. "Mental health problems are a big concern everywhere you look, so any opportunity I get to encourage others and have something good come from my situation makes it all worth it." Tyson Gentry's new book "Rainy Day Fun: An Origami Adventure." It aims to teach children to not let certain circumstances stop them from having fun. Hearing from others On the foundation's website, many testimonials — which leaves those quotes anonymous — reiterate its overall importance. Here are some excerpts from those directly receiving services: • "I am so grateful to New Perspective for allowing me the opportunity to spend time with my daughter at rehab and not have to worry about the price tag. They are awesome. Not only did they help me navigate a place to stay but also gave some extremely valuable advice that I am still using today. In short, my most heartful thanks to this organization for allowing me to stay close to my daughter for the full extent of her initial recovery." • "My son was involved in an auto accident, and he was transported to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, however, I live in North Carolina. The travel and the stay away from home would have been quite costly. I was referred to New Perspective by my son's caseworker. New Perspective is heaven sent. It was because of this organization that I was able to visit on a regular basis. I didn't have to worry about affording the cost of being by his side. New Perspective allowed us to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and my son's birthday together. This organization is also supportive in being a listening ear for families' questions and concerns of the effects of lifestyle change for spinal injury patients and their (families). I can't thank this organization enough for all that it has done for myself and my son." • "A huge thank you to New Perspective Foundation for helping me stay with my brother through the hospital and rehab eight hours away. He and I are eight years apart. We annoyed each other so much as kids, but as we got older, we became best buds. When he had his accident, I was ready to quit my life and be there for him 100% of the time, but that was not possible. When they had to transfer him to a rehab facility eight hours away, we both had a meltdown. New Perspective Foundation helped both my family and I travel back and forth for almost four months while he was in rehabilitation. We were losing days upon days of work and pay, and that was the least of our worries given the situation, but it still was a concern. New Perspective Foundation helped make sure we could keep up with helping my brother through rehab and not worry about surmounting expenses so that we could focus on his recovery. You cannot put a price on peace of mind when your entire world has fallen apart. New Perspective Foundation provided the support we needed to get us through the toughest time of our lives. Thank you to all who made this possible." Pictured are those who suffered spinal cord injuries and their relatives receiving financial support from New Perspective Foundation.