I went over the falls while surfing in my hometown in Orange County. The tide was low, and I hit my neck on the sand with my 6'6", 200 lbs frame toppling downward. Knowing I may have been paralyzed, my first thought, while underwater, was "I have to stand up," and I did. I was in intense pain, but still didn't know if I had broken my neck or not. I took about 50 steps out of the violent, thrashing water and onto the sand. My arm was burning and drastically losing muscle and strength. The nerve root was completely torn-up. However, because I walked away from the accident, the paramedics and ER doctors all thought I had only suffered a concussion and a pinched nerve. The MRI showed differently; I had a fractured C6 vertebrae. I now have two scars, 11 screws, two rods, and a plate throughout my neck. But today, about six months later, I am playing volleyball again and running six-and-a-half-minute miles. Easily to say--I will never forget the day I survived the scariest moment in my 24 years.