Evin Bradford Hartsell
August 3, 1989
April 28, 2018


Evin passed away on Saturday, April 28, as the result of complications from an injury. He was driving fast as he always loved to do and had an accident in his wheelchair.Speed was Evin's hallmark. He started driving fast in his first wheelchair at the age of three, and he never slowed down. Driving fast was Evin's way to fly and he felt it gave him Freedom.
Just weeks ago, shortly after finishing a book about his life, Evin composed a series of "Evinisms." These are Evin's rules for living well.One goes as follows: "Life's not supposed to be easy. Sit in the corner and sulk, or meet it head on and have an adventure." He should know. His hardships, far beyond the average, could reduce anyone to self-pity. But Evin, even at his lowest point, was always a fighter. He was the portrait of inspiration and courage.
Who can claim to have the courage of a boy who invented new ways to play when he couldn't walk; this adolescent who struggled to come of age in a wheelchair as his body increasingly failed him; this young man who offered an honesty and wisdom beyond his years? And kept cracking jokes all the while?
Muscular dystrophy is a harsh, debilitating disease, and Evin was all about finding ways for himself and for others to break free. "Disability doesn't define me," he said in another Evinism. "Don't burden me with your clichés." Evin was a smart, articulate, funny, loving man, full of faith in God and gratitude for his life. A dear friend to many. A beloved brother and son. A power-soccer player. Singer with the voice of an angel. Writer. Public speaker. Psychologist. Wheelchair dancer. Founding Father of a fraternity chapter at Saint Leo University. College graduate. Graduate School MBA Candidate. And of course, a disabilities advocate.
"When the highway of life isn't an option," Evin said, "make your own road." So many times and in so many ways, Evin did just that. He credits his parents, his nurses, and his teachers for showing him how to abandon self-pity and to make his own way. Through hard and painful lessons, Evin learned that truly, he could do just about anything. "It might take me longer," he'd say, "and I may do it in a different way than everybody else, but if I decide to do it, I will do it."
Evin's love of life and understanding of his own place in life evolved into a true celebration of every opportunity. This, more than anything, was Evin's philosophy. Any opportunity that came his way, he grabbed and held on for the ride. "Don't do things because you have to, or even because you want to," said Evin. "Do it because you can!"
Evin's life was the adventure he made it, and those of us lucky enough to have joined him for the ride celebrate his wonderful spirit. He will always be with us and continue to inspire us, saying, "I'm not rocking the boat. I'm flipping it over."

Evin's book, tentatively entitled ABLED in a disabled world: My journey from despair to gratitude, is in the process of finding a publisher.

A Celebration of Life will be from 2:00PM – 4:00PM, Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Hutchison Auditorium on the campus of Florida College, 119 N. Glen Arven Ave., Temple Terrace, FL 33617.A reception will follow on campus.

Contributions in memory of Evin will be accepted at "Evin's Book Publication Fund"
https://www.gofundme.com/5hd5ubs?pc=sms_co_flowinvite_a&rcid=9f5c835b-3e88-44d4-bdab-a27c1a60d09b