Wauwatosa Author Pens Book On Moving Past Paralysis To Success

WAUWATOSA, WI— At the age of 15, David Cooks experienced a spinal aneurysm, leaving him a T-6 paraplegic and a wheelchair user. The author has overcome obstacles to achieve success.

Cooks' message of moving from paralysis to purpose isn't just for physical struggles but also mental challenges as well. His sage advice is needed in a time of racial and political unrest, injustice, and the pandemic.

"In a COVID environment, those (principals) still hold true. How you see something will determine how you attack it," Cooks said.

He added if a person can't see what is in front of them, and there are opportunities on the other side, the person may become hopeless.

In his book, "Getting Undressed: From Paralysis to Purpose," he discusses purpose, perseverance, and partnerships.

"You hear about faith, family, and friends as something important to get deal life in general and especially in difficult times," Cooks told Patch.

Purpose, perseverance, and partnerships

At 15, Cooks had all those things in his court to help him through the rest of his time at Marquette High School in Milwaukee. He said it is those type of partnerships which help get people through a challenging time.

"I was 15 years old and probably hadn't live life enough to be sour on life. The longer you live, sometimes the more pessimistic you become," Cooks told Patch.

He had the determination to walk again and get back to high school. His parents instilled in the desire to continuing to fight.

"I never quit. It was never an option," Cooks said.

In rehab after his spinal aneurysm, he met a man named Tony, who was also paraplegic. The man who had less function showed Cooks that he didn't have that bad.

"That perspective piece kicked in. I'm a big believer that perspective drives performance in every aspect of your life," he said.

While in a rehab center in Milwaukee, he discovered people there who were fighting for their lives. Cooks said he realized he would be fine. He was able to finish rehab in two months instead of six months.

Over the years, the Wauwatosa resident has thrived.

Cooks received his Master of Business Administration in Finance from Duke University and his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Wisconsin –Whitewater. His career path includes time spent in banking, finance, education, and athletics.

Cooks said he decided to pivot and go into public speaking and write his book. He discusses sacrifice and how he left a lucrative career to go to coaching and help kids.

David has spent nearly 25 years in Education, including 17 years of teaching at his alma mater, Marquette University High School.

While at Marquette University High School, David taught Economics and he also served as the Director of Diversity, The Coordinator of Academic Support, and served 11 years as the Head Varsity Boys basketball coach and recorded a record of 155-92.

David served as an assistant coach at Concordia University in Mequon Wisconsin from 2013-2018.

As a businessman, a basketball coach and an educator, David has had the pleasure of sharing his story at Corporations, High Schools, Basketball Camps and Clinics, and Civic Organizations throughout the United States.

The pandemic perspective

Cooks' tagline is "Your ability to endure is always greater than your willingness to endure."

He explained his tagline means we don't get to choose the path of life or cards life deals us sometimes.

"If we knew about it in advance, we would probably check out because it is too difficult," he said.

Cooks added there is nothing wrong with that but it is not how life works.

His wife is a teacher and she had to pivot on short notice because of the pandemic. Cooks said if teachers knew in advance they would have to do virtual learning, he was unsure how many would have done it.

For his wife and other teachers, Cooks said the human spirit and desire to live kicked in.

"The ability to endure things were bigger than the willingness to do things," he said.

His book, "Getting Undressed," is timely during the pandemic as it has left people feeling, "paralyzed."

Cooks said everyone gets "undressed" at least once a day, even in the virtual world.

"The idea of getting undressed is a rebranding to starting over. It is an indication of where you have been and where you are going," Cooks said.

As a public speaker, the pandemic has caused speaking engagements to dry up. Cooks said a positive thing about the pandemic is the time to reflect. He said there are three important things about reflection: Celebrate, challenge, and change yourself.

Cooks said he came up with the idea to interview people across the country who read his book. He wanted their insights and ended up publishing a series on LinkedIn. The experience opened his eyes to the power of his book and how it impacted people

"It was a pivot, we talk about pivoting now as a business buzzword. From a speaking standpoint there are now virtual opportunities to speak," Cooks said.

He can take advantage of those opportunities as they become available.

"You can see this pandemic as something that will hold you back or you can find a way to pivot and leverage your skill set for the future," Cooks said.

Cooks predicts "pandemic millionaires" as people shift based on the market's needs.

"People are going to identify a problem and provide a solution to that problem," he said.

Helping youth

An inclusive park, which will include a play and recreation space for people of all ages and abilities, is planned for Milwaukee County.

Damian Buchman, CEO of The Ability Center, explained the goal of the $7 million RampUp project is to create a space entire families will enjoy and a place people from throughout the region can enjoy for years to come.

The Ability Center is actively fundraising for the park but it is unknown how much money has been raised. During the Ability Center's fourth virtual Walk in the Park, Cooks shared his story including his own understanding of T.A.B.'s or being Temporarily Able-Bodied.

Cooks also hopes to find a way to get his book in the hands of children in urban areas. He sees the unrest and protests, and especially in Wauwatosa.

"Despite difficulties, despite injustice and race, there is no rule you can't succeed or overcome these things," Cooks said.

For more information on David Cooks and his work, visit his website at www.davidcooksspeaks.com.