Exercise has always been a way of life for Ray Greenberg, rehabilitation peer counselor at Community Medical Center’s Leon S. Peters Rehabilitation Center in Fresno, Calif. Whether he is camping in the great outdoors or biking across town, Greenberg enjoys both the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise. In March 1987, Greenberg’s active life as he knew it came to an abrupt halt. While biking on his usual 30-mile loop in Visalia, he was hit by a car that had drifted into his lane. This unexpected blow resulted in a spinal cord injury that left Greenberg paralyzed from the chest down.

For many, this life-altering injury could have signaled the end of physical exercise, not to mention many other activities. However, this avid cyclist and fitness enthusiast refused to allow his injury to keep him from the things he most enjoyed. “I was into exercise before I got injured, and for me it just carried over,” Greenberg said.

When the weather permits, Greenberg gets on his three-wheeled handcycle and hits the streets for a leisurely ride. The handcycle is an exercise bike that conditions the upper body and the cardiovascular system. It is powered by hands instead of feet.

This form of exercise increases the upper body strength Greenberg needs to maneuver throughout the day. “With the technology and equipment available now for disabled people, there is no reason not to get involved,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg is also committed to helping others overcome the obstacles that come between them and an active lifestyle. He spends countless hours counseling other spinal cord injury patients to follow his lead.

Jeff DiMarco, R.N., manager of Community’s Leon S. Peters Rehabilitation Center, says Greenberg is a great role model. “Ray has struggled with his injury, but he was able to pick up the pieces,” DiMarco said. “He didn’t let the disability knock him out of life.”

Greenberg said his injury inspired him to become involved in rehabilitation work. “I felt I could have an impact on someone who went through what I did,” Greenberg said.

He believes he can offer patients something other therapists and counselors can’t – the benefit of first-person experience. “I see it through their perspective,” Greenberg said. “I can do more than just sympathize with patients. I can also empathize with them.”

That empathy and his endurance, help to keep the wheels turning for Ray Greenberg.