Final Project LN

Tyler Zander is an Oklahoma State sophomore from Enid, Okla. 

Zander is studying entrepreneurship, with a pre-med option.

The chalk board in his room is often covered in microbiology and physics equations. Although his coursework is difficult, Zander says it's worth it. He's a diehard OSU fan with a goal of attending Medical School at the University of Oklahoma. 

"I used to think I could never go to med school [at OU]," he says. "But they did save my life, so I guess it's all right."

Zander lost his right leg in an agricultural warehouse accident in August 2011.

While working in the warehouse in Kremlin over the summer, Tyler and his friend fell into the grain auger, where they were trapped for about an hour and 20 minutes.

The doctors told Zander's parents that if he lived, he would be in the hospital for at least a year.

While he was in the hospital, he struggled not to become discouraged by his circumstances. A family friend soon showed up with an encouraging note that he pinned on the wall beside his hospital bed. Throughout his time there, the verse on the note kept him strong. 

 Thirty surgeries, 97 units of blood, and about 71 days later, he was released from the hospital. The note of Joshua 1:9 is now framed on the wall in his room.

 In fact, his prosthetic leg features Joshua 1:9. It reminds Zander to be courageous and not get discouraged when things don't go as planned.

The prosthetic also features a grain auger with a small piece of wood through it, making it appear as a cross. It's a daily reminder to Zander that God brings beauty from life's most discouraging circumstances.

The accident not only pushed Zander to grow emotionally, but also physically. Through his regular workouts at the Colvin Recreational Center, he now weighs the same as he did before the accident.

Because his prosthetic isn't ideal for exercise, Zander brings his crutches to the gym. He does jumping jacks and works on the rowing machine, among other activities, to ensure he gets his cardio exercise.

He said that although his prosthetic isn't ideal for exercise, he wears it regularly to play basketball in the basement at his fraternity house.

Zander spends a lot of time with his best friend Collin.

Whether studying, exercising or playing basketball, Collin usually shows up and makes everyone laugh.

When Zander isn't working out or preparing for medical school with Collin, he spends his time with his girlfriend, Taylor Isbell. Isbell is also a sophomore at OSU.

The two have been together since before the accident.

"People are always asking to talk to him or take pictures of him," she said.

Zander responded that he's used to the extra attention he receives now.

"That's the weird thing," he said. "I don't really even notice anymore."

Taylor, who is laid back and friendly, shares Tyler's drive and overall enthusiasm for life. The two argued over ice cream about who did better on a recent class assignment.

Each thought the other deserved a higher grade.

Zander is a member of Farmhouse fraternity and always makes time to be social. While sitting in the dining room, almost everyone who walked by had a story to laugh about with him.

The men at Farmhouse are constantly entertaining each another. During dinner, they told jokes across room. 

Because he's serving as a Farmhouse recruitment chairman over the summer, younger members often seek guidance from him. He's spent much of this semester preparing for recruitment activities.

After the accident, Zander said he realized the positive impact he could have on people through his story. Whether speaking at a high school assembly or talking to a reporter, his story has touched many lives. And whether through fraternity recruitment events or medical school, he'll touch many more.