We first heard about Michael Beck because of his custom wheels. Pictured here, his personalized Magic Wheels are one of a kind – tricked out with camouflage embellishments and ready to roll through the thick forests where he hunts. We wanted to learn more about this man who told us years ago, when he first purchased his Magic Wheels, that he was a hunting guide. So we decided to give him a call and catch up. We were in for quite a story…

Michael became a T6 quad when he lost his left leg in a helicopter crash in 1989. He was stationed with the US Army in West Germany and, following the accident, spent two years and three months recuperating in hospitals in Germany and the states. The first year and a half was tough. He was not in a good mental state. Then he woke up one morning and thought, “you’re here – you gotta make the best of it.” And he’s been doing just that ever since.

Today, Michael hunts, drag races Mustangs and spends time with his beloved dog Gunner out on his boat. After telling us about all these activities, he added excitedly, “I may not be able to walk, but I can fly!” He wasn’t kidding – Michael flies his own paraglider.

When we talked with him, he had just returned from spending countless hours in his garden planting broccoli, spinach, corn, cabbage and potatoes. His Magic Wheels help him navigate across dirt, grass and gravel that cover the seven acres he owns in rural North Carolina. He explained that he can steer with just his index finger and thumb – that Magic Wheels allow him the freedom and independence he needs to live his extraordinarily active life.

In addition to all his outdoor and sporting interests, Michael is dedicated to helping others and is currently coaching high school and middle school football. He grew up playing and was a Right Defensive Tackle and Fullback. He was fast and nimble, at one point winning a county championship in track. Today he is a man who cannot walk, yet he’s teaching young men how to run passes. The irony is not lost on him. Michael is philosophical about his coaching… “I came up with a system to get the running route out of my brain and into their feet.” These are lucky boys.

Michael could likely have talked for hours about his life. He is living it to the fullest. But the one aspect he kept returning to during our conversation was the love of his life – Traci. Every time he mentioned her name during our conversation – we could hear the smile in his voice. They met in high school and he asked her to marry him before he went overseas. As he says, “She politely declined.” Then, years later he found out from a friend that she was trying to get in touch with him. So he reached out and they connected. He proposed in June of 2007. They were married three months later. Their tale is even part of a book called “Love Matters” that chronicles remarkable love stories.

All of these aspects of this man’s life are impressive. He does not boast about them. He is matter of fact and humble. When talking about his service to his country, he explained that he would gladly go back in time and redo it all again. We ended our conversation by asking him what would say to others who learn that they no longer have use of their legs. He responded simply, “I’d tell them that their life is never going to be the same but that doesn’t mean it’s got to be bad. If something brings a smile to your face, do it. Just adapt and overcome.”

April 2011, magicwheels.com