The Uplifting Empire: Chris Rathje

Have you ever heard the song Letter to Me by Brad Paisley? 
 
What an amazing song!  He writes himself a letter in lyrical form to correct all his mistakes as a senior in high school.  I would like to do the same thing, but I would like to write myself as a five year old.
 
The [...]

I had to do something yesterday that I never like to do. I went back on my word.
The thing I love to do more then anything in the world is play wheelchair rugby.
I love to do it so much I will go anywhere on the globe to play it. After being a guest [...]

This one is dedicated to my coach Kevin, my teammate Bryan, and my buddy Matt from TNT.
On last Thursday I headed to Michigan with the attitude “Let’s go have one of the best weekends of our lives boys!” Even I didn’t realize how accurate I was.
The first lesson of the weekend came while Lakeshore [...]

I did a light pushing and ball handling workout in the Lakeshore Fieldhouse last night.  
 
One of the main weaknesses of my game is passing.  Getting my arms and hands to do what they need to do when I want them to do it.  So before I left for the night I decided to get [...]

I just finished putting together the perfect soundtrack for how I want to set my mind for this weekend.
1. Break Away by Kelly Clarkson
I don’t like how I have been treated most of my life by most people. I choose to declare that I no longer subject myself to that anymore. I [...]

God works in mysterious ways.  This piece is exhibit #1.  I received and replied to emails from two wonderful people today. 
 
My fantastic cousin Brenda and my equally amazing friend Renee, everyone knows about my beloved Brenda from yesterday, but here is a little about Renee.
 
First of all Renee is not a person, she is [...]

I am an only child. The closest I come to blood siblings is my first cousins. I am the oldest cousin on the Rathje side and youngest cousin on the Nagel side by a considerable margin. The second youngest cousin on the Nagel side, Kim was already driving by the time I was born. I [...]

Below is a modified piece that I just finished writing for the Illinois Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team who lost in the National Championship Game yesterday. Please keep in mind that the vast majority of the piece was written to a team that just had a major disappointment.
Before I begin I would like to congratulate [...]

When I came to the conclusion that the possibility that I had lost function was very real, there was 36-48 hours I was feeling sorry for myself. I am no saint smiley pants. I’m just a human being that realized love and acceptance is a more fun journey then fear and secrets. [...]

I was blessed to go to the University of Illinois. I did not have the raw materials to be successful there, but I wouldn’t allow that to stop me. I was scared, I lacked a lot of life skills, but I had one thing going for me, I was determined.
For a myriad of [...]