Bowen, Michael J.: - Born in 1962, Michael J. Bowen grew up in Washington Park, North Carolina, water-skiing on the glassy water of the Tar River and playing competitive sports. On November 19, 1985, during his senior year of college, he made the fateful decision to play an extra in an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. That decision ultimately led to a car accident, paralysis, and a spiritual intervention that taught him lessons about faith, empathy, and overcoming adversity. Today, he is a "walking" quadriplegic, a retired phys ed teacher, a high school tennis coach, and a motivational speaker. He's also a self-proclaimed beach bum and an amateur drummer who lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with the love of his life-his wife Laura-and their dog, Tessa. The Viewfinder: Michael's Story is his first book.