Kindness, courage endure 2 years after devastating accident

[...] along on the trip with friends was Bary Gould, Marysville Pilchuck High School boys' basketball coach.

Since those devastating days, Duitsman has made extraordinary progress.

"Being nice matters," he said, telling of how a long-ago classmate from Lynnwood High School sent him balloons in the hospital.

Duitsman spoke about his challenges at a YMCA of Snohomish County event in March celebrating the Y's 2017 Annual Campaign, which raised $1,552,536.

The money will support Y programs including child care, teen services, water safety, mentoring and summer camp.

Duitsman works out with the encouragement of Scott Ballenger, a part-time diverse abilities trainer at the Marysville Y. Ballenger, 59, has been in a wheelchair since being injured in a shallow diving accident at age 15.

From his wheelchair, Duitsman used his arms to lift weights using an Uppertone exercise device, which was designed by a quadriplegic.

Before his accident, he worked in real estate with Keller Williams Realty in Marysville.

The company has been supportive, he said, and he'd like to get back to his real estate career.