A Story of Hope for This Holiday Season

Empowering Chats with Susan Burrell

Ep #304 - A Story of Hope for This Holiday Season - featuring an interview with veteran and inspirational speaker, Jason Morgan

As I close out 2024 my team and I have been talking about our theme for 2025. And we have landed on Soul Growth as our overarching message for this upcoming year.

I am bringing this up now because my team and I decided to replay a show I recorded in 2021 with veteran, inspirational speaker and author Jason Morgan. His story is all about soul growth and facing life challenges with a "can do" attitude. Jason was injured in the line of duty and came home a paraplegic.

During his recovery, Jason was introduced to the non-profit organization Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) and it became a life-saver for him. With their help he was paired with a service dog to assist him in living an independent life. His first canine companion service dog, Napal, is the one featured in his book, A Dog Called Hope.

I strongly encourage you to listen to the words of this very special man and his story or courage, hope and inspiration.

In June of 1999, Jason Morgan was deployed to South America on a counter narcotics mission. His life was changed forever in the remote area of Ecuador when during an altercation with drug traffickers, his driver lost control of their SUV causing it to launch off the road into a steep ravine. Jason was ejected from the car and suffered a crushed spine. He was left for dead, drowning with his face submerged in swampy water, but then a miracle occurred. An American missionary working on radio towers in the area came upon the scene and saved Jason’s life.

Two months later Jason awoke from a coma with no immediate recollection of what had happened. He was told by doctors it was a miracle he had survived. However, as a result of his extensive injuries he was also told he would never walk again.

Jason has since developed a special creed to offer hope to others who have been tragically injured: “I’ve tried to live my life by offering hope and renewed strength to those who have suffered a tragic injury or disability. Life may not be better or worse, but it will be different and I want to show them by example that you can live a productive life. And a life of purpose no matter what condition you’re in. You need to focus on your ability, not your disability.”

Today, Jason Morgan continues to use his story to motivate groups and individuals. Discussions are now underway for the book to become a major motion picture. Jason remarried on April 24, 2021 and has five boys. Jason, Kim and his dog, Yago now reside in Nevada, Texas.

To learn more about Jason Morgan visit his website: ssgtjasonmorgan.com

To order his book, A Dog Called Hope visit: barnesandnoble.com

To learn more about A Dog Called Hope visit: ssgtjasonmorgan.com/a-dog-called-hope-my-book

To listen to past podcasts and learn about how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com