Murrieta Man Turns Tragedy to Triumph

Murrieta resident Calvin McCargo doesn't miss a Sunday night at the homeless shelter in Temecula. He organizes that evening's meal, and then spends the night there. On Thursdays, he takes donuts and coffee to men waiting for work on Front Street in Old Town Temecula.

And he does it all without the use of his right arm.

McCargo, 51, was severely injured in a motorcycle crash more than four years ago. He was making a delivery for the Oceanside company he'd worked for for 25 years, when the car in front of him stopped abruptly.

Nerve damage left his right arm limp; he can't use it and he has no feeling in it. He's had countless surgeries to try to repair it, but none have been successful yet. Born right-handed, McCargo trained himself to write with his left hand, and how to drive again.

"I have it down. I get it done. I use my teeth, my knees," McCargo said during an interview with Patch as his Murrieta home. He is the father of five, and has three grandchildren.

For both his rehabilitation efforts and for what he gives back to the community, McCargo will be honored June 3 during Sharp HealthCare Foundation's 2011 Victories of Spirit Awards. McCargo is one of five who will be honored with an Eagle Spirit Award, an award that symbolizes the Navajo sign of the most potent healing power.

“The Victories of Spirit event highlights deserving former rehabilitation patients who have overcome adversity and have embodied the spirit of courage, strength and possibility,” said David Brown, system director of rehabilitation services for Sharp HealthCare. “We celebrate not only their amazing stories but celebrate their commitment to giving back to the community to benefit others.”

After multiple surgeries, McCargo transferred to Sharp Rehabilitation Center, where he continues to receive therapies to manage his chronic neuropathic pain, said Erica Carlson, spokesperson for Sharp HealthCare.

"(His) experience motivated him to give back," Carlson said.

McCargo agrees.

"Just because you are damaged from a stroke or an accident, life is not over. I would not wish this on anybody, but everybody needs something like this to set them straight, to turn that car around and go in a different direction. It's sad but a lot of us really need this.

"There are people out there who have just been divorced, lost their jobs, houses--my heart really pours out to them," he said.

McCargo is a member of Mountain View Community Church in Temecula, and also works closely with Project TOUCH, which runs the homeless shelter in Temecula.

He said the accident has also brought him closer to his family.

"Life has changed drastically," said his wife, Benita McCargo, who said her husband is still in constant pain. "In the beginning, it was hard because he couldn't do things. He is a very active person, he likes to build things.

"He doesn't like to ask--he'll figure out a way. He still mows the lawn and he made a strap for the weed whacker."

Since McCargo has been unable to work, she began running a daycare out of their home. His most recent project was building a shelf for the classroom.

"His new drive is 'God gave me a chance so I have to do this,'" she said.

The 21st annual Victories of Spirit event, which celebrates the power of rehabilitation and the strength of the human spirit, will begin at 6 p.m., Friday, June 3, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

Along with McCargo, this year's individual award recipients are Kyla Winters, Steven Peace, Duane Norman and Victor Gonzales. Their compelling stories of determination and compassion will be shared at the event.

For event ticket information, contact Sharp Rehabilitation Services at 858-939-3085 or visit www.sharp.com/rehab.

Several rehabilitation programs will benefit from the event.