Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — An ordinary dance class, that's anything but ordinary for Josh Hinton, who is pursuing his passion — something he never thought he'd do again.
"They said this was catastrophic, that he'd never walk again or dance again," said Jen Hinton, Josh's mom.
Two years ago at BYU orientation, Josh Hinton dove into a bounce house. "From the moment of impact, he knew that he couldn't move or feel anything," said Adam Phillips, physician assistant at Utah Valley Hospital.
At the hospital, Josh learned he would be a quadriplegic. An outpouring from the community followed. "I really do feel the love. A lot," Josh Hinton said.
He was determined this wouldn't be his grand finale. At home in Tooele, Josh Hinton's life is very different now. "Getting out of bed in the morning is the workout of the century for me now," he said.
A body that doesn't work like it used to has been a learning curve, especially when it comes to moving from his bed to his wheelchair. "I usually hold my breath since my abs don't work anymore. My diaphragm does, so if I flex that by holding my breath, it helps me stay up straight," Josh Hinton said.
But it's also helped him learn to appreciate things he took for granted before, like sweeping. "It took me two years to figure out how to sweep, but it's fun now," he said.
And if there's an upside to catastrophe, Josh Hinton has found he's more approachable. "Way more," he said. "Everybody's curious about a wheelchair. This gives you a topic to talk about that."
Josh Hinton has a new perspective on life. "It's usually the small and simple thing that helps people get through this hard life that we're all living," he said.
During college, when mothers and sons usually say goodbye, he and his mom have grown closer. "I don't know if I would still be alive if it weren't for her," Josh Hinton said. "Along with physically helping me keep going, emotionally helping me keep going."
Josh Hinton is back in school at BYU's Salt Lake Center. "It's a nice stepping stone until I move down to Provo," he said. He's returned to the studio teaching advanced ballet. "Even just the smell of this place brings happiness to me," he said.
His family worried it would make him focus on the things he can't do. But it's done the opposite, Jen Hinton said. "He came out with a light, he was just everything about him was happiness and light, and he got in the car and didn't stop talking," she said.
It works because the dancers know the terminology and respond to his verbal cues. "I do with my arms what I want them to do with their legs, and we just figure it out together," he said.
"Every time he goes, he comes back just filled," Jen Hinton said.
In ballet, an "attitude" is a dance position. It's also the fuel that keeps Josh Hinton going and dancing his encore. He's returning to the stage as well, having landed the role of Clara's father in the Nutcracker with The Dance Centre in Stansbury Park.
