Getting Started

Anyone who has ever gone through a trauma knows that help comes in many forms, from many people, some of them completely unknown to the recipient. Trauma survivors also know that in the midst of the chaos, and in spite of the best of intentions, it is impossible to thank every person individually for the help that he/she provides.

On that note, at the request of Trent, Jill, Sophia and Bryce, and on their behalf, this blog begins with the following message:

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE, EVERYONE, EVERYONE."

Now, to those of you who have helped, are helping and will help during this journey, please take your thanks from this message and from the progress that Trent will make, and know that if it were possible for the Todd family to thank you in person, they would.

With that said, meet Trent (again or for the first time), introduced in the words of a good friend and fellow football coach.

"When the Doctor Gives You 5 Years to Live: Coach Trent Todd"

A coach and a great friend of mine, Trent Todd, has been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease marked by scarring in the lungs. Tissue deep in the lungs becomes thick, stiff and scarred. The scarring is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred, it interferes with a person's ability to breathe.

In some cases, the cause of pulmonary fibrosis can be found. But most cases of pulmonary fibrosis have no known cause. These cases are called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis can develop slowly or quickly. There is no cure. Many people with the disease live only about three to five years after diagnosis.

In short, Trent needs a miracle and/or a double lung transplant. His doctors gave him five years to live. That was a few years ago. At first, things did not seem so "bad." I confess I didn't even notice much of a change. He continued to work, continued to coach ...

But now things have taken a different turn and he needs an oxygen machine to help him breathe. Please pray for Trent, his wife Jill and his two young children Sophia and Bryce.

And yet, Trent wants to continue building SportsLeader. He wanted to record some short video messages to encourage others about what life, coaching and mentoring are truly about. My family and I had the opportunity to visit with Trent and his family and it was such a blessing. Being with a man who only thinks of others, who you know cares about everyone ... it is an inspiring experience and I could see that all of my children learned a great deal from him.

This short video clip is the first of a series we will create. Click on the link to watch it: http://sportsleaderusa.blogspot.com/

Please take a moment to ask yourself: Why do I coach? If I were in Trent's shoes would my perspective be different?

Life is short. I encourage you to dig deeper in your heart and consider making a change to have more of an impact on the young men's hearts and souls you are mentoring.

God bless you,
Lou