Meridian Community College Alumnus Inspires Nursing Students with Resilience

Evan Edwards, a 55-year-old alumnus of Meridian Community College (MCC), recently addressed a group of fourth-semester Associate Degree Nursing students, sharing his remarkable journey of resilience following a life-altering spinal cord injury. Edwards, a Clarke County native, has dedicated nearly four decades to demonstrating the power of determination and adaptation.

Inspiring Future Nurses with Personal Experiences

Edwards’s journey began at age 16 when a tackle during a high school football game in 1986 left him a quadriplegic. The subsequent years involved extensive hospital stays and rehabilitation as he learned to navigate life with his new reality. “You can’t do things the way you used to, but you adjust and keep going,” Edwards told the nursing students. “That’s the way life works.”

After overcoming these challenges, Edwards graduated high school with his class in 1988 and went on to earn an associate degree in arts from MCC in 1992. He furthered his education with a bachelor’s degree in math education from Mississippi State University-Meridian in 1994. Edwards has worked as a private tutor, math lab instructor, and high school computer applications teacher.

For the past 25 years, Edwards has focused on sharing his story of perseverance with various groups, including sports teams, churches, and students. His long-standing relationship with MCC has made him a familiar face among nursing students. “We invite him because his story gives students personal insight into what it’s like from a patient’s point of view,” explained Annette Rigby, an instructor in the nursing program. “They always say they’re amazed at his outlook despite his circumstances.”

Hands-On Lessons in Adaptation

During his recent presentation, Edwards engaged students with a hands-on exercise that challenged them to tie their shoes or write their names without using their thumbs. This activity illustrated the importance of adapting to new circumstances. “If you did it a few more times, you’d get better and better,” he remarked. “That’s life. You figure it out and keep going.”

Students found his message deeply motivating. Ashley Burkeen noted, “He never gave up. He kept pushing through whatever came his way.” Another student, Sherwiana Lamb, expressed that hearing Edwards speak provided her with a renewed sense of strength and resilience.

Outside of his speaking engagements, Edwards participates in church activities, hunts with other disabled outdoorsmen, and competes in shooting events. Despite his physical challenges, he continues to emphasize the importance of treating patients with compassion. “Treat your patient like they’re the most important person in the world,” he advised the students. “Listen to them; really care.”

As he concluded his talk, Edwards shared one final piece of wisdom with the aspiring nurses: “Finish well. Finish strong.” His visit underscored not only the realities faced by individuals with disabilities but also the profound impact that empathy and understanding can have in the nursing profession.

For more information about the nursing program at Meridian Community College, visit meridiancc.edu/nursing.