East Alabama Living Winter 2020

continue to pursue his military career, Cole
set his sights on a new path and has applied
to Auburn’s Graduate School to earn a degree
in kinesiology and exercise physiology. His
goal now? To help with the recovery of others
who find themselves in situations similar to
the one he was in.
“I so admire and appreciate those at
Shepherd who worked with me every single
day to get me where I am today,” says Cole. “I
couldn’t even hold my head up when I started,
much less walk, talk, eat or anything else, but
because of them, I am where I am now. I want to
be one of the people who does that for others.”
The ups and downs, highlights and setbacks
have also given the Burtons so much appreciation
for the blessings they have received.
Cole’s prognosis was grim, and there was no
scientific possibility for the family to expect
him to have any chance at a normal life, but
God had other plans. Cole was recently baptized
again, in part to symbolize his renewed
life, his new direction and his new goals.
“I was baptized years ago, but after the accident,
in so many ways, I had to totally start
over,” says Cole. “Being baptized again was a
chance for me to once again commit my life to
Christ, who got me where I am today. Before,
I was a Christian, but I wasn’t ‘in Christ;’ now,
I have a much different perspective, a true
gratefulness and in every way, a new life.”
Cole continues to heal and get stronger. He
gives praise for the joy he experiences every day
and is thankful for every step — and every supporter
— who has helped him come this far.
“You don’t choose your journey, your journey
chooses you,” he says. “I’m just trying
to make it the very best journey it can be.”
EAST ALABAMA LIVING
57