Paraplegic Skydiver Conquers Depression With God

It was a long road to recovery for a Hancock County man after a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down.
But now 15 years later, David Hale is leading an inspirational life.
News 25’s Gina Tomlinson introduces us to him.

He sky dives….teaches Sunday school…gives Inspirational speeches…goes hunting and he’s graduating from college with honors….
A wheel chair doesn’t stop David Hale from moving up in life…
But six years ago depression did.

“Life was hell for a long long time..”
– David Hale Bay St. Louis Resident

After a horrible car accident while drinking and driving at age sixteen doctors told Bay Saint Louis resident David Hale he would never walk again. Learning he was paralyzed from the chest down was something David says he couldn’t cope with on his own.

“I went through lots of depression, anger…I hated a lot of– everything…”
– David Hale Bay St. Louis Resident

Turning to drugs and alcohol on a quest to beat his depression only landed David in the hospital.

“I couldn’t breathe. I just laid there and I hurt and I gasped and it was miserable. And I just cried out I did the only thing that I knew how to do.”
– David Hale Bay St. Louis Resident

It was then David found god in his local church. He says faith completely changed his life and ended his near decade of depression

“I know Larry likes to say Get her done but I say God her down. GOD that’s Jesus. That’s what I start my day with. Everyday and say a prayer and just be thankful for the day and get up and head to campus..”
– David Hale Bay St. Louis Resident

“This is the who’s who award..David won this last week. It’s for GPA, campus and community involvement. ”
– Gina Tomlinson News 25 @WXXVGINA

The award just one of David’s recent achievements that hanging on his Apartment wall.

David goes to university of Southern Mississippi…he’s hoping to start a career at a rehab center working with disabled people.

“I want to let them know that you can do anything. Anything you set your heart, your soul and your mind to you can do.”
– David Hale Bay St. Louis Resident

David will graduate next week with a Bachelors degree in Psychology.

“To the top baby!”
– David Hale Bay St. Louis Resident

In Bay Saint Louis, Gina Tomlinson News 25.