Attitude and perspective are everything. They are the difference in seeing the glass half full or half empty, or in the case of David Cameron of Moss Point, his cup is overflowing.
Growing up actively engaged in all types of sports from tennis to SCUBA diving, a debilitating disease tried to obstruct the lifestyle of Cameron, but he didn’t let it win. At nearly 70 years old, he bikes nearly 75 miles a week, weather permitting, and is living his best life.
Cameron is retired from Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula where he was employed for 37 years. While a native of Moss Point, his parents were not. His dad was from Boston, MA, but met his mother, from Chattanooga, TN, in Moss Point where he was working as a chief engineer on a pogy boat.
He met his wife, Pat, at Chevron while they were both operator trainees. Together they have one daughter, Carrera, and a 13-year-old granddaughter, Michaela.
In 1988, Cameron began having unexplained symptoms. His right lung began collapsing, and even after reinflation, it continued to collapse. Then he developed a subdural hematoma about the same time as the internet became popular and was diagnosed with Gorham’s Syndrome. While the treatment worked, the radiation burned a section of the spinal cord causing partial paralysis.
“I am not completely paralyzed,” Cameron said. “It’s a hodgepodge of muscles that don’t work right. One thing I’ve learned is to keep working them.”
He said remaining active keeps the muscles that don’t work properly somewhat working and makes those working properly super strong.
“Before the diagnosis, I was always athletic and in good condition playing tennis, SCUBA diving, jogging and riding motorcycles,” he said. “Shortly after hurricane George hit here, my right lung started collapsing.”
But that didn’t stop him. He saw a hand-powered trike advertised on YouTube and decided it may be a good workout. He said what he learned is, “It’s a great workout.”
When it is sunny out, the orange flag dangling above the trike can be spotted all around Moss Point. He said he rides 20 to 25 miles per day, two to three times per week. He said riding keeps him healthy and strong.
“It is a great workout, but I have to stay on top of the maintenance of the bike,” he said, not to mention his trike is suited up for him to listen to music or even an e-book while he is exercising.
The trike isn’t his only activity. He rides his wave runner and drives his truck. He said it is all about mindset.
“Attitude is everything having a spinal cord injury,” Cameron said. “Being optimistic, having a sense of humor, being resourceful, and being determined is everything! I do most everything most people do.”
Between his mindset and sense of humor, he said he is basically just as happy as he was before the diagnosis. He said his goal now is to be healthy and enjoy life every day.
