Published: June 21, 2008 11:31 pm            

Standing on his own

• Told he wouldn’t walk again, Victor Borland is running the business his dad started

June 23, 1988 started out as a normal day for Victor Borland, now owner of Pioneer Tire Center, 301 E. Sixth Ave.

Borland went to work at his father’s tire store until noon, when he went home to grab some swimming trunks and meet some friends at Lake Carl Blackwell. Running up to the water to pull off a belly flop, Borland’s foot slipped and resulted in a head first dive into the water.

The water was too shallow for a dive, and the 20-year-old, who had aspirations of becoming a member of the Secret Service, broke the fourth, fifth and sixth vertebrae in his neck. Upon emerging from the water, Borland was dunked by a friend who thought he was just messing around.

“It was pretty scary,” Borland said. “I was conscious the whole time.”

After being rushed to the hospital, Borland was told by a doctor that he would never walk again. After 90 minutes of trying to cope with the fact that he would sit in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life, Borland decided that he wouldn’t give up that easy.

During his rehabilitation, he said he would put forth just enough to appease the nurse, before doing his actual work at night. Borland said he was in the best shape of his life one week, and the next week, he was being assisted by a nurse to raise his arm.

“At night, when everyone would go to sleep, I would really work,” Borland said.

When the nurse would come back in the next morning and pick up where they left off the day before, Borland would be able to complete the task without assistance because of his nightly workouts.

After approximately three months of rehabilitation, Borland was out of the hospital and trying to move on with his life. He began attending classes at Oklahoma State University, and working again at Pioneer Tire. He gained seniority at his father’s business and eventually purchased the tire shop six years ago.

In the meantime, he married Mona, who already had a child, and had two children of their own.

A 1986 Stillwater High School graduate, Borland was not to fond of the life-changing experience on June 23,1988, but has turned it into a positive in his life.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Borland said. “I have a great family, and a beautiful wife. I know every single day I broke my neck. But, I’m supposed to be in a wheelchair right now. I’m not going to complain.”

Many aspects of the business have not changed since gaining ownership of the business. Borland’s mother, who was the receptionist of the business when her husband owned it, retained her position.

“She does payroll,” Borland joked. “I have no idea what I pay her, but I’m sure she’s worth every penny.”

Pioneer Tire Center is open from 7:30 a,m,-5:30 p.m. during the week, and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. The shop can be reached by calling (405) 372-8355.

        

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