Page 2 - MidWeek - Sep 22 2021

2 MIDWEEK SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
Perspective Makes The Difference
“Celebrate what’s right with the world.” — Dewitt Jones
The beautiful view of Kauluwai on Moloka‘i can serve as a reminder to celebrate the beauty of what’s right in the world. PHOTOS COURTESY DEWITT JONES
and a smile, I would go out to photograph the very best each place and person had to offer. My intention must have been obvious, because the world kept showing me more beauty than I ever imagined. Gradually, I began to trust
KELLEY
IThe Milton Miracle
We live in trying times — in a world torn asun- der by violence and con- flict — at least that’s what I read in the papers. I have no doubt that it’s true, but I re- ally couldn’t prove it by my day-to-day experience.
t’s a bit early to start deciding the feel-good story of the year, but I know a contender when I see one. With the help of football, faith, family, friends, for-
the more it happened.
In photography, what lens
titude and Florida, not to mention the incredible work of expert orthopedic doctors, trainers and determined rehab specialists, McKenzie Milton has risen. From the quarterback’s youth teams (which went 66-2!) through back-to-back state championship appearances at Mililani High School, Milton proved himself to be a leader and a winner by age 18.
Perhaps that’s because I live on Moloka‘i. Perhaps it’s because I spend a lot of time photographing nature. Perhaps, perhaps — but from where I sit, life looks much more positive than negative.
we have on is very important. Our perspective is often the difference between getting a great shot and getting no shot at all. Life is the same way. That’s why, each and every day, I choose to celebrate what’s right with the world.
But he didn’t plan on becoming a nationwide inspi- ration. Fate and deep faith sometimes come together to provide lessons that seem unfair and devastating, yet ultimately turn lives around, occasionally in spectacular fashion. On Nov. 23, 2018, Milton took a helmet to his right knee during a football game for the University of Central Florida. The injury was gruesome and so serious — right knee dislocation, plus ligament, artery and nerve damage — that numerous medical experts suggested am- putation might be necessary. The thinking then was that after three surgeries, he’d be in great pain for the rest of his life. And there was still doubt he’d ever walk again. But medical miracle men acted quickly and saved his leg.
When I was growing up, I read National Geographic every month and marveled at how rich and beautiful our world was. When I began shooting for them, I found that the vision of the world I had been looking at in the magazine really did exist. It existed in a reality predicat- ed on celebrating what was
that anywhere I went, I would find magnificent places and extraordinary people if I were open to them.
Dewitt Jones is one of the country’s most respected key- note speakers. He talks to audiences about celebrating what’s right with the world, drawing on his 20 years of ex- periences as a photographer for “National Geographic.” He and his wife reside on the island of Moloka‘i.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr.
Milton persevered for three years of repetitive, ex- cruciating rehab. He then transferred to Florida State. Why? His QB spot at UCF had been taken over by Dil- lon Gabriel, and, as if this story could cause any more chicken skin, Gabriel had been Milton’s understudy at Mililani, and followed Milton to UCF. As Milton healed and realized there was a new Trojan hero at UCF in Or- lando, he calmly moved his football future to perennial powerhouse Florida State.
Armed with my camera
right with our planet rather than agonizing over what was wrong with it.
It became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more I saw it to be true, the more I believed it. And the more I believed it,
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
In his first game back, exactly 1,017 days after almost losing his leg on the gridiron, Milton rallied his new team from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to a 38-all tie against No. 7-ranked Notre Dame. Alas, the Seminoles fell in overtime, 41-38, but Milton’s surreal heroics were inspirational on so many levels. Football fans, his fam- ily, doctors, trainers, coaches, teammates and local pals all must’ve shed tears amid their fears. Akamai viewers wondered where the Disney camera crew was hiding. Could this really be happening?
No matter what happens next, Milton has proven through his humble efforts that miracles do come true. He went from “can’t do” to “did do.”
Think about it ...
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com
with Dewitt Jones