Blind Trust: The Right Mindset, Living Life to the Fullest, & Overcoming Obstacles with Kijuan Amey

“I may have lost my sight, but I didn’t lose my vision.” ~ Kijuan Amey

Guest Contact Info:
Website: ameymotivation.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kijuan-amey-783889121?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kijuanamey?igsh=NmZtNHRqbW1meWNy&utm_source=qr

Guest Bio:
Kijuan Amey, the visionary behind Amey Motivation, hails from Durham, NC, where his journey of resilience and success began. After graduating from Southern High School, he dedicated a decade of his life to the US Air Force, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant as an In-flight Refueling Specialist. Medically retired, he transitioned into academia, earning a degree and founding Amey Motivation LLC. Formerly served as the vice president for the Carolina regional group of the Blinded Veterans Association, Kijuan is also a mentor and ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warriors program. Beyond his remarkable military career, Kijuan is a man of many talents, boasting over 25 years of drumming expertise, on-stage acting, and now, an upcoming bestseller, “Don’t Focus on Why Me.” Then, on May 5th, 2017, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused him to lose his eyesight. As Kijuan always says, “I may have loss my sight, but I did not lose my vision.” Now with a powerful story to tell about overcoming odds, Kijuan is a motivating force, empowering others to achieve success. No matter the audience or location, Kijuan is the man for the speaking engagement. From his experience of being in front of an audience with over 1,500 people, to doing one-on-one sessions. Kijuan Amey, he’s ready for the task!

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More Remarkable Quotes from Kijuan’s Interview:
“If someone else did it, so can I.”
“When they say you can’t, show them why you can!”
“Don’t compare yourself, be yourself.”
Don’t worry about what’s behind you. Focus on what’s in front of you.”

Transcript

Blind Trust: The Right Mindset, Living Life to the Fullest, & Overcoming Obstacles with Kijuan Amey

David Pasqualone: [00:00:00] Hello friend. Welcome to this week's episode of The Remarkable People Podcast. This week we have with us Kijuan Amey. Kijuan was a military man who was on his way to work on Cinco de Mayo. Driving his motorcycle and gets in an accident 55 miles per hour, where he not only has screws and bolts and plates and rods installed in his body after being a coma for a month, but he loses his eyesight and vision completely.

So this episode Kijuan talks about not just. What he endured. But he also talks about how never give up, never make excuses. You know, it's easy to want to buckle to the adversity, but how you can do it, he did it and you can too. We talk about how he went skiing. After the accident when most people told him it was impossible.

[00:01:00] He's in Stover, Vermont, downhill skiing. We talk about how he still plays drums to this day and we talk about so much more. Tiwan is a keynote speaker. He's an author. He is a coach, and he has no sight and plenty of injuries, which you'll hear about. But what we wanna make sure you understand is that for me.

For wan for you. If we're still here and have breath in our life, then there's a reason why God has us here and we wanna live life to the fullest. And to be able to have that peace and joy and not quit. So whether it's you or someone you love, check out this Remarkable episode now and forward it to your friends and family members who need it.

He has powerful, not only story, but Kijuan dropped six or seven quotes that Stop me. I wrote 'em down. I'm putting 'em in the show notes for you. So [00:02:00] you can be inspired as well. So that's a long intro, but it's worth the time in this episode. Check it out now. 

Thanks for Watching!: The Remarkable People Podcast, check it out,

the Remarkable People Podcast. Listen, do Repeat for Life,

the Remarkable People Podcast.

David Pasqualone: Hey Kijuan, how are you today?

Kijuan Amey: I'm doing pretty good. How about yourself?

David Pasqualone: Man, I'm Remarkable. I am looking forward to this show. Our listeners are looking forward to this show, but straight from you, the source. This episode is about you, your life, but what we can all glean from it and apply to our own to be even [00:03:00] better humans and have more peace, more success, and just more power in our lives.

So if you were to say, if you listen to my episode, I guarantee you this one thing, you might have 80 things by the time we're done with the show, but if you're gonna guarantee our listeners one thing, that if they commit to listening to your episode, they're gonna be a better human, what's that gonna be?

Kijuan Amey: Yeah, if you listen to my episode, I guarantee you're gonna say, well, what the heck? Do I have any excuse for whatever is holding me back from doing anything possible? Because I'm that guy who overcomes any adversity and any obstacle.

David Pasqualone: And that is exactly what our show's about. The slogans even, "Overcome Adversity. Achieve Success.".

So ladies and gentlemen, we are gonna have a truly Remarkable episode with Kijuan right after this. 

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David Pasqualone: Alright, Kijuan, our listeners and I are [00:06:00] pumped to hear your story. So everything that happens to us in life, as we all know, good, bad, ugly, pretty or pretty ugly.

It all makes us the human we are today, right? Yeah. So tell us your story. 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah, my story is one of, like I said, you know, overcoming adversity, resilience just to fight, you know, just to fight back. And this all gleamed from a horrific motorcycle accident on May 5th, 2017, a day I'll never forget. Except for the accident.

And I'll tell you how I forgot the accident in just a second, but. I was in the United States Air Force as an infl refueling specialist, and that's where you refuel planes in midair. Coolest job I've ever known and would want to do to say the least. But it was a job that I did and took, you know, great pride in, first and foremost 'cause I was serving my country.

I didn't realize I would serve as long as I did. But I fell in love with the job, and that's the thing about it, you know? And so [00:07:00] that day, which was actually a Friday single day Mayo for some who are, you know, paying attention to that I had to go to work that night, that day, and that night. And so before I went to work.

Because I was also a reservist at the time. I did four years active, and then I got off of active duty to go live the good life of the reserves and just travel and not have to deal with the desk jobs of the active duty and other things. But Anyw, who I had a, a, a business. At the time called Kiwi Enterprise Kiwi is actually my nickname, but actually was also my call sign when I was in the Air Force.

And a call sign for the Air Force or military is for air crew members. So for those who are not. You know, quite yet, connecting with what a call sign could potentially be. Think of Top Gun, the movie Top Gun, and you had Maverick and all those guys [00:08:00] in there. That Maverick is his call sign. You know what I mean?

It's not his real name. Yeah. You know that that's where all of that comes from. But it's, it's a part of the air crew world and so. That was my call sign Kiwi, mainly because people couldn't say my name. Kijuan is not the easiest name to say especially based off the, the spelling. It's a unique spelling, but me personally, I think it's pretty simple.

But he what, whatever, you know, it is just one of those. So who, Kiwi Enterprise was the business? I did social media marketing, website design and management and photography. So on this particular day, May 5th, 2017, I was actually shooting some photos for a website that I was managing, which was actually my church's website to be quite frank.

But I had took my car home and went and got my motorcycle this day. Because it was so nice [00:09:00] outside. I live in North Carolina and spring days in North Carolina can be one of two things. You can have really great weather like this day was. Or you could have really rainy weather. So thankfully it was not the latter.

But I did the, I did swap, swap out vehicles and went over to my church and took the photos. But from my apartment to where my church is, it was only, it was only like 10 minutes maybe. Of a ride. And for my, my motorcycle, as you guys know, that's not a long ride at all. It's like you just got on the bike and you're hopping right back off.

And I was not about to put it back up on such a nice day like this. So I said, well, what can I go? And I went to a local lake. In North Carolina called Jordan Lake. Now from my church to Jordan Lake was about 30 minutes of a ride Now this was a good ride and on some back [00:10:00] windy, curvy roads, you know, and it, it was really nice.

Very peaceful. Yeah, beautiful. 

Best riding, right? Those 

country roads. Yeah. Very nice. Peaceful man. And so just me and the trees, to be honest, because this is the middle of the day. And nobody's out. And so I go there, sit there for a while, and then I realize, oh shoot, I gotta go to work. You know, I gotta go grab my stuff and swap out vehicles and all that stuff, whatever.

So I take off back down the road. But now, you know, since I've wasted some time people are now driving. So, so I'm approaching an intersection. I don't know what made this car pull out in front of me. I, I didn't, I didn't care to find out, to be honest because that only probably would've made it worse.

But a silver Honda Accord pulls out in front of me as I'm running 55 miles an hour down this highway 7 51 here in North Carolina. And. Yeah. Th this is the part where I told you [00:11:00] guys I don't remember anything about the accident because once I impacted that car, it was lights out, you know, the, the, I was in a coma from there.

And from there until June the sixth, everything was told to me about what happened from those moments on. 

David Pasqualone: And just so people understand, you basically t-boned the Silver Accord, correct? 'cause they pulled out in front of you. 

Kijuan Amey: Well, it is kind of like a back quarter panel. Got you. So, so it wasn't quite t-boned, but back quarter panel.

Yes. 

David Pasqualone: But you were doing 55 miles an hour 55, 

Kijuan Amey: man. Yeah. And I wasn't stopping. 

David Pasqualone: Yeah. And ladies and gentlemen, if you know anything force equals mass times acceleration. That is a huge amount of force and pressure. So talk about that. I know you don't remember it. 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah. 

David Pasqualone: But I'm sure. Were there any witnesses that explained to you What happened?

And then take us through your journey of healing and to today. 

Kijuan Amey: Well, the, well the witnesses that were there at the scene of the crime, the only [00:12:00] thing they kinda. Talked about to the officers were, they saw me coming, so they don't know why he didn't. And I'm glad there were witnesses because he easily could have left and, you know, hit and run, whatever you wanna call it.

But I've heard this story way too many times with a motorcyclist where they get hit and left, basically left for dead, to be honest. 'cause you don't know if that person is conscious. You don't know if they can walk, whatever. You know, 

David Pasqualone: Yeah, I picked a guy up in 2000, 2000, 2001. There was a motorcycle that got hit in downtown Pensacola.

Mm-hmm. People just left him there for dead. Yeah. Totally. Unconscious bike on top of him and the scumbags took off. Yep. So, yeah, 

Kijuan Amey: man, it, it, it happens way too often. And so I'm glad they were there. The two witnesses, thank God they were there. And all I know is. From the injuries I had, I had to be life flight.

Like they, they were like, [00:13:00] there ain't no way he needs to be driven in the car because he might not make it. And you know, my face was crushed in, literally crushed in. And I did have on a full face helmet 'cause that's all I ever wear. I can't ride without it. Or when I did anyway. Because I don't breathe that well with all that airflow.

But anyway. Yeah. 

David Pasqualone: And that, that probably, I mean, you're gonna tell the story, but Yeah. A full face helmet, I remember buying my first motorcycle. Mm-hmm. And my uncle made me promise that no matter what I get for a bike by the most expensive and highest quality helmet, yeah. I could. And I think my first helmet cost more than my first motorcycle.

Good Lord. Yeah. Well it was back in the nineties, like a, yeah, no, $450 shoey helmet and a 400 Oh yeah. You know, $400 motorcycle. 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah. Yeah. No for sure. I definitely had a, I think a nice expensive one. You think that saved your life? Oh, for sure. There's no [00:14:00] way I'm sitting here talking to you without it.

Yeah. That among other things, you know what I mean? But you know, my face being crushed in, so I have literally two metal plates in my head. If you could see the little curve right there. Yes. Yeah, that's, that's where metal plate is from my skull fracture. And also you see the scar. Yes, sir.

That's where they cut me across the top from ear to ear. And ladies and gentlemen, 

David Pasqualone: for those of you listening to the podcast, Wan's pointing to his basic temple mm-hmm. And the spot above his ear. So that four five inch section, that's where you got two plates, you said That's, 

Kijuan Amey: Well, for sure the front part is where like the front of my forehead maybe, maybe about a, a third of the way.

Or a half of the way across my, my left eyebrow is where that plate starts. And so that's the plate in the, in the front for the [00:15:00] frontal lobe. But I also have one forming the roof of my mouth, help, helping form the roof of my mouth. Okay. To bring it back out outward. So those are the two plates. And then like I said, when they cut me open, it was actually for relieving.

The swelling on my brain because my brain was swollen. And they had to do it in order to, you know, relieve the stress and stuff and swelling that was there. But also my right eyelid was popped out because the eye, the bottom portion of that eyelid was torn off. And so I also am a hundred percent blind.

For those who don't know or and are listening. And I'm wearing shades for those who are listening and not being able to see me. So I, I do wear shades all pretty much all the time, especially for sunlight, because my eyes very sensitive to light. And then my smell is gone because they had to do reconstructive surgery to my [00:16:00] face.

When they repaired it, surgically repaired it. And then I, I do taste though. I do taste. There is some good about it. I do still have my taste and food does taste good. That's awesome. But but the teeth were, were, were damaged very badly. I had to do about $20,000 worth of dental work, and that's after insurance paid their part.

So that's probably the cheapest part of my accident. I had a tracheotomy, which is, you know, where they put the hose in your neck to allow you to breathe. Because like with my face being crushed in, I wasn't getting a lot of air through my nose and my nostril and or nasal passage, shall I say. And then my spine.

Was crushed and basically, I mean, destroyed, pretty much destroyed because it's two rods and 12 screws from L four to T two. So I'm surgically infused with two rods and 12 screws. Right before you get into paralyzation of the waist down, [00:17:00] like literally if it would went any lower. L five, I'm. And so I literally just got right above that.

I have injury on my left hip, so I'm not sure exactly if they replaced anything or not, but I do know my, my right femur, which is the largest bone in your body, which is the thigh bone that was broken in half literally. And a compounding fracture. Compound fracture, excuse me. And I had to get that medically removed and metal rod and then my tibia on my left leg, which is your shin bone.

That was, that's a metal rod all the way from my knee all the way down to the ankle. My fibia on the right leg I believe was fractured, but I don't think they took that out. But I do know there's a screw in my right foot, and my right foot is now a whole different size than the left. So my left foot is still the same size as it was before the accident, which was a 10, and my right foot is an 11 [00:18:00] wide.

So literally a whole size up. Yeah. So yeah, 

David Pasqualone: man. So you had an accident that you know, truly could have taken your life in 15 different ways. Yeah. And you go. This happens. Just, just for the record, did the insurance companies pay you or did they do the normal insurance company scumbag thing and fight like they didn't wanna pay?

Kijuan Amey: Well, so, so, so two things, and you don't have to go 

David Pasqualone: into detail 

Kijuan Amey: for Oh, no national or legal reasons, but I'm just saying Yeah, no, I'm done with the legality, so it's cool. But the, the, the one thing that was kind of interesting was when I, 'cause like I told you, I was in a coma for a month. So when I woke up, I didn't even know I had a lawyer.

Like I, I'm in a freaking coma, you know, my mom has POA power of attorney and she's got me a lawyer, and I'm like, wait, what? I gotta what? For what? Like, you know, I don't even know what's going on yet. And so any who we [00:19:00] get around to talking about this stuff and I'm like, well, who's paying for all this? You know what happened?

All. And so finally they say well, his insurance. Gonna pay for, of course, you know, the total loss of the bike. And they're gonna gimme the max coverage for, you know, the bodily body, bodily injury is what they call it, I believe. 

David Pasqualone: Yes. 

Kijuan Amey: And those are so low. And his, his was a hundred thousand, thankfully.

Which is, 'cause some people only get 25, th 25,000, you know? 

David Pasqualone: Yep. 

Kijuan Amey: And so it was a hundred thousand. Okay, great. But do you know my bill was 985,000? Like so what am I gonna do with this hundred? Yeah. That cancels out. You know that, right? 

David Pasqualone: Yeah. You're gonna owe money and you need your work. Yeah. So you that didn't even pay for anything.

Kijuan Amey: No. And so I'm like, dude, who are you? What kind of lawyer are you that you're making me only get a hundred thousand? He's like, oh, no, no. That's not the only thing we're getting. [00:20:00] So I'm gonna, I'm gonna what was the company's name? I think it was Cisco. I think Cisco. But anyway, we're gonna, we're gonna ask a company to take your legal fee, I mean your, your hospital bill on as a write off.

And that's what ended up happening. So I didn't have to pay my hospital bill because they took it on as a write off. So I did get the money. That's super nice that they did that. Yeah, because I was finna go nuts in that hospital. My, my heart rate about to shoot back up. What do you mean? I got a hun, you know, a 80, 88 or, yeah.

$885,000 bill. 

David Pasqualone: Yeah, 

Kijuan Amey: after that. A hundred thousand, you know, so, 

David Pasqualone: yeah. Oh man. So, okay, so now let's get to the part. So most people around the planet. They have an accident like this. They live. Yeah. And live by meaning they're continuing to breathe. [00:21:00] Mm-hmm. And then they choose to just exist. Right. They don't, most people sadly, statistically, don't get over a life trauma like this.

Kijuan Amey: Right. 

David Pasqualone: But you didn't just give up. We were talking on our pre-call. You went on and you've done some pretty cool things. Mm-hmm. So talk about your life from that point forward. 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah. It, it is not easy for me to give up. I'm a very optimistic person, first and foremost. But Als also, I would say I'm a person who thinks I've always been a thinker, and I've had a moment where I was down before, nothing near this, you know, magnitude.

Back when I played high school football, I was getting ready to quit the team because they were punishing us for what somebody else was doing and what not. Fess up, and I'm like, why, why am I getting punished for this? You know? I mean, we were running like 

David Pasqualone: dogs, 

Kijuan Amey: okay? 

David Pasqualone: And then you joined the military. That never happens there.

It never ever, ever, 

Kijuan Amey: You know, and so [00:22:00] anyway, I, I am like ready to just let it go. And the guy beside me, I'm talking to a guy beside me. Funny enough, his name is Keon. My name was Key. My name is Keywan. His name is Keon. And so I said, dude, I'm quitting. I'm done with this. I don't, I'm not finna keep running 'cause somebody else's did this, blah, blah, blah.

He's like, come on dude, we got, we, I'm sure it won't last much longer. He's like, if you could make this, you could do anything. And you know, just the fact that he kept talking to me and he was a upperclassman, he was a, a year ahead of me. He, I think, I wanna say he was a senior and I was a junior. I, I believe.

And so anyway, you know, the fact that he was even coaching me through that versus being like, Hey man, I, I don't blame you. You know what I mean? Yeah, a hundred percent. I, I, I'm about to leave too, you know, Hey, if you leave, I'll leave. So, so, but the fact that he kept, he kept, you know, talking me through that kind of put me in a different mindset ever [00:23:00] since that day, to be honest.

Because there were things in the military that I was like, dude, I, I'm done. You know, I'm outta here. You know especially in, in bootcamp and stuff, but I had that same mindset. If somebody else did it, so can I, you know, and that's what ended up kind of getting me to understand that since. I know I'm having to deal with this new life because I call this my new life journey.

I know I have to deal with it. I know it. It's just gonna be, you know, it is inevitable, but what I am gonna do is I'm gonna live it to my fullest. That's one thing I do know, and that's all I've been doing. If you ask anybody who knows me, listen, I just got back from Italy last month, okay? Mm-hmm. I'm living life to the fullest.

I've downhill skied without sight. I have rock climbed [00:24:00] without sight, you know, like I've been to Disney for a sports competition. All expenses paid because I was able to qualify without sight. You know what I mean? Like when, when they, I, I've traveled across not just to to Italy, but all over the country by myself without sight.

You know what I mean? So when they say. You can't show them why you can. And that is my biggest, one of, one of my biggest quotes that I try to live on. When they tell you, you can't show them why you can. And so that's all I keep doing. Every time they say I couldn't do something, oh, you just cursed at me.

Like, you know, you just told me I couldn't do what? Oh, okay. I'm gonna show you. Hold on. And, and that's just me in a sense. My whole genetic makeup is to not only prove doubters wrong, but to [00:25:00] also show people who feel less than they once were, show them that they can do this too, or that they could do something similar as well, you know, and, and.

I love talking to not just only youth, but anyone who's been, you know, in, in some adverse situation. We have to understand that this is not the end. This is just the beginning of something new. I've met so many people that are so, you know, impactful, so encouraging, uplifting. I mean, they're just so amazing.

And I'm just like, dude, I thought I was doing something. And they're like, no, you are. You're just doing it in a different way than me. And, and that's when we have to understand, don't compare yourself. Be yourself. And that's one thing I look at.[00:26:00] 

David Pasqualone: I think that's amazing advice. And I'm typing in notes now 'cause that's a great quote. Don't compare yourself, be yourself. Mm-hmm. In the Bible it talks about the all over the dangers of comparison and yet mm-hmm. That's what our society we're brainwashed to compare and that's just Satan. So I'm really intrigued because.

Our whole podcast is about not just what our guests were able to achieve or overcome. Mm-hmm. But breaking it down to the practical steps of how they did it so our listeners can too, and that's what your whole message is. So let's talk about the nitty gritty. Obviously, when you decide to ski, there's problems that need to be solved, right?

Mm-hmm. There's creative ways that you need to overcome obstacles. So is there a process that you not only follow to start unpacking solutions, but [00:27:00] how do you keep yourself motivated? When people are saying you can't do it. In fact, that might motivate you, but what do you do to motivate yourself, Kijuan, when you get to the point where you're thinking, man, how can I do this?

You, so I know I asked three questions in one, but let's talk about that. To help the people who, man, they're so talented and they're so gifted. Mm-hmm. Yet they've been lied to and made to believe they can't. Yeah. So what do you say to those people? Listen 

Kijuan Amey: usually. Usually when something or someone is telling you not to do something, it's because they're afraid.

Not because you're afraid, it's because they're afraid. They like to impose their thoughts on you. And the biggest thing, I had to learn that early, not, not just because of this accident. I learned that early. In my military career, in my football career. Like it, it was just one of those things, oh, he is gonna [00:28:00] get hurt.

Oh, he shouldn't do that. No, no, you don't. He don't need to play football. He too small. What are there not other small people in the world? Like, you know? And so I, I was one of those people that wanted to defy everything. And it's not to say I'm wanting to be. A person who just out, you know, outright. I'm never listening to what anybody says.

No. It's to say, I appreciate what you're saying, but I'm gonna try this for myself. Why can't it be that simple? You know what I mean? Why do you always have to in inflict your negativity, your negative thoughts on me? Just allow me to think for myself for a second. And that's a lot of things I had to do.

And if it's something comfortable, they don't have nothing to say. But as soon as you start thinking about stepping out, stepping outside that comfort zone, oh boy, here, come on. How you gonna ski? And you can't see a thing? I [00:29:00] said, I don't know, but they're offering up to me. So obviously they know something.

I'm just gonna go visit. I, I'm not paying for anything. I'm going to see what it's about. And, and, you know, with the open-mindedness that I had, that was what got me through it. Because trust me, I honestly, I, I started listening to the doubters, the naysayers. All of the negative people, these negative thoughts, and I started to formulate my own and I'm like, you know what?

It is cold up there. They're like, I'm creating stuff that they didn't even say. Yes. You know what? It is a far place to go. You know, I never have been to Stove Vermont, so I don't know what's up. There ain't no point in me going instead of just going to visit and understanding that. This could be an amazing adventure.[00:30:00] 

And it was, but I almost talked myself out of it listening to other people. Yeah. And so when I went on that trip to Stove Vermont for those who know about that area, it's a really nice ski resort up there. By the way, most rich, wealthy people go up there like. For example, the reason I say that Chris Rock has a, a I guess you could say a, a lodge or resort whatever, something up there on that, on that mountain.

Mm-hmm. And, and you could see it from the, where we were skiing, you could actually see it. So wealthy people go up there. And any who I. When I was up there and, and skiing, first off, we had, you know, they, they talked to us about the different things we were gonna do what, what to be paying attention to.

They took you to the little bunny slope or whatever you want to call [00:31:00] it. And I, I've been on skis once before, but I, I could see, I could see then so I do remember concepts. I remember the pizza and the french fry, and all that stuff. I remember pizza, french fry. I remember all that. But what I don't know how to do is do it while I can't see.

And then they taught me the amazing steps of don't pay attention to the people behind you. They're supposed to pay attention to you. Because I was always worried about somebody running me over. Mm-hmm. What was in my mind, 

David Pasqualone: that's a common fear in skiing. Yes. 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah. In my subconscious. And the lady who was teaching me, I wish I could remember her name, she was such an amazing person as far as like a instructor.

She was just like, Hey, what, what are you thinking about? I'm like, what do you mean? She was like, it just seems like you keep thinking about something because you're, when you look, you like looking for something as if something's coming your way. [00:32:00] And I'm like, oh, I'm just trying to make sure I'm not gonna get hit by anybody.

She's like, oh, you not supposed to pay attention to who's behind you. You're supposed to worry about what's in front of you. I was like, oh, it's a great life lesson, isn't it? It is. It's almost like that one quote that if you are always in the rear view mirror, it is harder to see what's in front of you.

You know what I mean? That's why that front window is larger than the rear view mirror. So we're supposed to look forward way more than we're supposed to look behind us. And so any who, she told me that that stuck. But also what stuck with me was the simple fact that I'm there to learn, learn from the instructions, not to be like, okay, I got it.

Don't worry. I I got this, I've done it before. It is, I I got it. No, she's trying to teach me and man, by the, I think [00:33:00] it was the last, the day before, the last day, I was coming down the big slope. I went all the way to the top. Not once, but twice. But 

David Pasqualone: now the practicality. Did you have some kind of like, was there a noise device?

Was someone you were following? Were you on a rope? How did you practically achieve that? 

Kijuan Amey: The, the instructor she, well, at first it was just her talking to me, but then she put like a on, on my helmet that you wear. She put a a earpiece on a tape to my helmet and it had a boom microphone so that I could, I could talk to her as well, so I could hear her and I could talk to her and she could hear me.

Beautiful. And so she was just, she was skiing backwards. Down the freaking slope, man talking to me, telling me what to do. And I'm like, how are you doing this woman? Yeah. [00:34:00] You know, that's how good of a ski. But some people, that's all they do. They live on the slopes, you know what I mean? And so she was just so good, man.

And I mean, golly I didn't, there was one time I came down the slope and I was like, okay, I'm gonna, I'm gonna stop over here. She's like. What do you mean we're at the bottom? I was like, what? Dude? I didn't even know we were at the bottom. We, that went all the way down and I was feeling so good, but I was like, okay, I think my lady's getting a little tired.

Let me just stop right here. And she was like, we're at the bottom. I was like, oh, no wonder I'm not sliding anymore. 

David Pasqualone: That's fantastic. That's fantastic. And you know, another thing is. You had to have a lot of trust mm-hmm. In her to listen to her and trust her that you were going down that hill. And in New England, if [00:35:00] people aren't from New England, skiing in New England, there's very narrow.

Trails and they're steep and icy, you know, on the West Coast. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. You may have wide open, powdery, you know, California snow. Yeah. That's not New England. It's steep and hard and fast. So you had, I don't know if you even knew the difference, but there, there is much less room for air where you were at.

So talk about the trust, like, I mean, you literally put your life in her hands. Did you realize it at that point or were you just winging it? 

Kijuan Amey: Oh yeah. No, trust. Trust me, I know what, because being somebody who's visually impaired trust is always in, in, in play. Whether it's me getting in the, in the Uber, whether it's me getting on the airplane, whether it is me just walking to get something to eat with someone, I have to find a way to do it.

So either, like one time I was in the [00:36:00] airport Tampa. I think I was in Tampa's airport and I needed to get something to eat, and what I didn't know was that my flight had changed. That's what I didn't know. Mm. And so luckily, the, the gate that I was sitting at, where we were, so we were originally in air quotes, supposed to be flying out of.

Had changed. And luckily, luckily, the guy that was sitting beside me, he said, Hey excuse me, sir. I said, who me? He was like, yeah. I said, oh, hey, how you doing? He was like, did you know that the flight was changed? I was like, what, what flight? I need you to be more specific. And he told me every, you know, the flight to Raleigh Durham, it, it is changed.

I said no, I didn't. I didn't know that. Do tell. Yeah. And you know, he, see these are the things that I need help for. If, if that man never told [00:37:00] me, how would I have known? Because it didn't even come up on my app. 

David Pasqualone: Yeah. 

Kijuan Amey: Why didn't it pop up on my app? I'm supposed to get notifications and alerts about that stuff, but it didn't even pop up.

And not only that, I asked for one of the people at the airport, that same airport. To take me to the restroom. He takes me to the restroom right before I'll get ready to go to the next gate that, that they changed it to. He takes me to the family restroom, and then I said, all right, I, I'll be back out. And so, you know, I locked the door, whatever, go use the bathroom, come right back.

I open the door and usually they're like, all right, let's go. And I'm like, Hey, you there? This guy left me. Mm-hmm. What, what are you leaving for? You, I'm not going in the maze. I'm going in the bathroom. Mm-hmm. What in the world. And so literally I am standing outside of the [00:38:00] family restroom for probably all of five minutes, like literally five minutes, not just a, a made up number, the all of five minutes, and I'm just standing there.

When he got back, I was so livid. I was like, well, he said, I'm coming, sir. I looked at him with the most foul face you could ever look at. Somebody with my military about to ca almost came out. Yeah. So, yeah, you know, trust is, is, is a, plays a part in a lot of things I do. So definitely at that moment, because now this could be physically it, it's physically demanding, but it's also like I could, there is a potential for harm.

You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. So, yeah, you know, it's always a trust factor 'cause maybe you fall over. I caused myself to fall twice in the, like you talk about the [00:39:00] powder up there in stove, they had just got some fresh snow, so. When you stepped off to the side, it was very deep. 

David Pasqualone: Yes. And you can't barely walk through it.

Kijuan Amey: You can't. Dude, I was, it, I, it's like quick sand. I went in so far, I was like, ow.

She was like, oh. And so she's like, you gonna have to pop those skis off 'cause I can't help you. And that's how far in I had failed. Man, I'm telling you that snow had to be every bit about two and a half, three feet deep. Mm-hmm. I was like, holy crap, dude. But yeah. 

David Pasqualone: So when you're talking to people who have either lost their sight mm-hmm.

Or they have a loved one that has lost their sight. 

Kijuan Amey: Mm-hmm. 

David Pasqualone: What are some things, because I'm sure there's dark moments and there's. Moments of doubt, even in your own head, what are some of the things that have encouraged you and got [00:40:00] you through it during those dark times?

Kijuan Amey: Man, oh man. The, those are, are moments that you just kind, you kind of just have to go based off of what transpired, because I've talked to people who were also motorcycle accident survivors that lost their sight. Similar to me. My book is kind of what saved their life because I talk about the hardships that I dealt with going through that hospital visit and all that stuff.

And they read, they, they either had someone read it to 'em or they listened to it and it saved their life, you know actually a person outta Florida that happened to them. And then you have it was a young lady. I can't remember her name now, but she used to play basketball, six foot five, number one prospect coming outta Georgia, and she lost her [00:41:00] eyesight her freshman year in college.

She just knew she was going to the WNBA, you know what I mean? Like when you talk to people like that and they just know they were going somewhere and luckily she still had that competitors. Mentality. She's like this, I'm not gonna let this hold me down. And I was like, that's it. That's the mindset you need.

She, so, you know, it is, it's based on people's perspective and their situation, you know, because again, the guy who had the motorcycle asking and he was ready to take it, ready to end it, end it all, but she still had a fighter's chance. In her mind. And that's where that competitive spirit kicked in for her.

And I mean, that girl, she, she doing some great things. She, she does, she loves music just like I do. You could probably see, you could see behind me in those in YouTube land cam. But for those who are on the audio podcast, [00:42:00] I have a drum set behind me that I've been playing since I was seven. And so you know, I've been playing drums since I was seven years old, and I love them, love them.

I'm actually getting ready for a I guess you could call it talent show, but they're calling it a showcase at the Durham va this coming week actually. So I'm getting ready for that and that's awesome. I, I'm so excited. 

David Pasqualone: Nice. That is great. Man you have to have two feet, two arms, and you know, I mean, like you're coordinating everything with your brain and now you're taking away your eyesight.

That's insane talent. I give you props my friend. Thanks. I can't play the drums with my sight, so now let me do this. What is next? You know, it's always about a vision and mm-hmm. Having that mindset, that right perspective, what's next for you? 

Kijuan Amey: Next for me. It kind of, I'm glad you said the word vision because that's, that's my quote.

I may have lost my sight, but I did not lose my vision. [00:43:00] And the reason I put it that way is because my vision was always to help others, whether that was in the military, whether that was on a sports team, whether it's now like I do professional resilience speaking and coaching. So that's what's next for me.

I'm a speaker, I'm a coach. I, I do it. I mentor, I'm an ambassador for the Air Force Winter Warriors program. You know, I, I kind of do some of everything. The thing about each one of them though is that I'm helping, I'm giving back and that's what I've, I've come to do and I'm going to do. Because that's just what my heart has, has been led to do.

So that's what's next for me.

David Pasqualone: Well, I've enjoyed spending time with you Wan and I know that this is going to reach and help people all over the world. Whether it's themselves. 'cause I mean, even if someone didn't lose their eyesight, you know, I'm sitting here, I haven't worked out since 2018 and now I'm even more, what's [00:44:00] my excuse?

Right? Like what's my excuse what you're working around and skiing and doing all sorts of amazing things and I'm like, oh, I hurt my shoulder. You know what I mean? It's super inspiring to me and I know many of our listeners, so thank you. 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah. 

David Pasqualone: If someone wants to reach you, we'll put all the links in the show notes, but.

For just the audio, what's the best way for someone to reach you and continue the conversation? 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah, the best way to reach me is probably my website. Go to Amey motivation.com. That is a MEY motivation.com. I have all my YouTube, my Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, everything's on there as well as my book, which is called Don't Focus On Why Me.

From motorcycle accident to Miracle, but that can also be found on Amazon, Kindle, audible, as well as Apple. And then if you wanna book me as a speaker, you can go on that same website, Amey motivation.com, and you can book me as a speaker as well. [00:45:00] 

David Pasqualone: Awesome. So let's do this to close the show. Any final thoughts you have, any encouragement to our listeners?

I'm just picturing someone who's. Rightfully so. They had a terrible accident. They're in bed, the doctors are doing the doctor thing, giving 'em no hope. But what would you say to someone who's in bed but still has life? 

Kijuan Amey: Yeah. You know, listen, you, you might've just found yourself in a whole new situation.

Like I found myself on June the sixth, 2017, after that motorcycle accident. But what I'd also found myself saying and telling myself is that. My situation does not define who I am. I define who I am.

David Pasqualone: Amen. And on that note, ladies and gentlemen, remember, reach out to Kijuan if you have any questions or want to continue this conversation. Book him for a speaking [00:46:00] encouragement. If you haven't purchased his book yet, go to his website, go to Amazon or other media sources and check it out. And also if I can help you in any way, shoot us an email.

You can go my website david Pasqualone dot com and re out. We want to help you any way we can. And other than that, wan, it's been a true honor, my friend. Thank you for being here today. 

Kijuan Amey: Yes sir. I appreciate it. David, you. 

David Pasqualone: Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we love you. Share this with your friends and family so we don't, not just so we get more popular, but so we help as many people as possible.

And like our slogan says, don't just listen to the amazing information that Kijuan brought you today, but do it. Repeat it each day, form those good habits so you can have a great life in this world, but most importantly, an eternity to come. So, I'm David Pasqualone. This is our Remarkable friend Kijuan Amey. And Kijuan, thank you again.

Kijuan Amey: Yes.

David Pasqualone: Ciao, ladies and gentlemen. We'll see you in the next [00:47:00] episode.

Thanks for Watching!: The Remarkable People Podcast, check it out,

the Remarkable People Podcast. Listen, do Repeat for Life,

the Remarkable People Podcast.