WUFT 89.1 WUFT 90.1 Live TV DONATE

Mark Brisbane’s motivation for life is not his disability.

 

It has been more than three decades since Mark Brisbane's diving accident at Suwannee Springs. Today, Mark is devoted to his family and committed to mentoring those with disabilities. Married to Sonya for five years, they have two daughter and are expecting a baby boy.
It has been more than three decades since Mark Brisbane’s diving accident at Suwannee Springs. Today, Mark is devoted to his family and committed to mentoring those with disabilities. Married to Sonya for five years, they have two daughter and are expecting a baby boy.

 

The highlight of Mark's day is coming home to his family. Playing outside with his twin daughters, Gabby and Lily, he says, “I feel like a normal dad.”
The highlight of Mark’s day is coming home to his family. Playing outside with his twin daughters, Gabby and Lily, he says, “I feel like a normal dad.”

 

Photo Story by Gaby Eseverri | April 16, 2019

Mark Brisbane, 52, is a husband, father and mentor

to those with physical disabilities in the Gainesville community. Mark has been a quadriplegic since he was 17. A diving accident at Suwannee Springs caused a spinal cord injury. But through the accident, he found his calling — helping others with physical or mental disabilities. He has worked at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida for more than 10 years. At the center, Mark serves as a consumer specialist for the Wheelchair Ramp Program, which builds home access ramps. He also teaches Peer Support classes on how to live more independently with physical disabilities. He met his wife, Sonya, at the Center for Independent Living where they became best friends. After dating for about four years they were married. As a father of twin two-year-old girls, Gabby and Lily, plus expecting a baby boy in August, Mark says, “I feel like a normal dad.” Although he has days where he thinks about his accident and regrets the decision that led to his disability, he says the result is a life so good, he never thought he deserved.

Mark sits by his truck in the morning before work. “This is my last stop,” he says. He moved from Jasper to Gainesville about 10 years ago and knows he’s found his purpose here, he says. He never thought he would have a wife and be a father. “This is because of my strong faith,” he says. “Everything I asked for, it all happened.”
Mark sits by his truck in the morning before work. “This is my last stop,” he says. He moved from Jasper to Gainesville about 10 years ago and knows he’s found his purpose here, he says. He never thought he would have a wife and be a father. “This is because of my strong faith,” he says. “Everything I asked for, it all happened.”

 

Mark works at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida as a consumer specialist for the Wheelchair Ramp Program, which builds home access ramps. He also teaches Peer Support classes on how to live more independently with physical disabilities.
Mark works at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida as a consumer specialist for the Wheelchair Ramp Program, which builds home access ramps. He also teaches Peer Support classes on how to live more independently with physical disabilities.

 

At the University of Florida, Mark offers feedback to students in a Mechanical Engineering Design 2 class. The students were assigned to design a Uppertone Quad Gym, an exercise machine for quadriplegics.
At the University of Florida, Mark offers feedback to students in a Mechanical Engineering Design 2 class. The students were assigned to design a Uppertone Quad Gym, an exercise machine for quadriplegics.

 

Mark was 17 when the diving accident at Suwannee Springs injured his spinal cord. At the time, he says doctors told his parents that he’d be lucky if he made it through the night. He was in the hospital for about six months, and today he can slightly move his arms and legs.
Mark was 17 when the diving accident at Suwannee Springs injured his spinal cord. At the time, he says doctors told his parents that he’d be lucky if he made it through the night. He was in the hospital for about six months, and today he can slightly move his arms and legs.

“Sonya is like

nobody I’ve ever met in my life.”

 

Sonya and Mark met at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida in January 2010. They became best friends and dated for about four years. They’ve been married for five years and are expecting a baby boy in August.
Sonya and Mark met at the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida in January 2010. They became best friends and dated for about four years. They’ve been married for five years and are expecting a baby boy in August.

 

“Plane,” Gabby said, as she pointed to the sky. Mark joins his twin daughters for playtime outside on the weekends. He says that having family to come home to provides normalcy, and he likes that.
“Plane,” Gabby said, as she pointed to the sky. Mark joins his twin daughters for playtime outside on the weekends. He says that having family to come home to provides normalcy, and he likes that.

“This is because

of my strong faith.

Everything I asked for,

it all happened.”

 

© 2023 WUFT / Division of Multimedia Properties