'Expressing gratitude for everything': Man rides in Bike4Friendship after near-death experience

MEQUON, Wis (CBS58) -- On Sunday, Aug. 4, a unique nonprofit hosted its annual fundraiser to support kids and adults with special needs.

"Friendship Circle is working with special needs kids and adults. It gives the kids a friend and teaches adults to learn employment skills," said Eliot Scheuer, a cyclist attending Bike4Friendship.

Sunday morning, the Friendship Circle hosted their annual Bike4Friendship. It's a one-of-a-kind cycling adventure on Lake Michigan to support the cause. Organizers say the event was extra special because this year, it was led by a man who reminds us miracles do happen.

Eliot Scheuer and his family have worked with the Friendship Circle for 17 years.

"For those in our community who may know a neighbor who has a kid with special needs, or they have a kid with special needs get them in touch with Friendship Circle – it's a wonderful organization that will benefit not just the kid but the whole family," explained Eliot Scheuer.

The Scheuer family have always been there for their community, but almost one year ago...

“I was hiking in the high mountains north of Rocky National Park and unfortunately had a fall of about 50 feet,” said Scheuer.

Eliot is a survivor, a fighter.

“I broke my neck, broken back, 14 broken ribs, 2 broken arms, facial fractures and some other stuff. I was a month in the ICU so all I basically saw was a ceiling I couldn't really move. Then I was two months in a rehab hospital in Denver,” said Scheuer.

Eliot has undergone intense therapy on his road to recovery and his spirit was never broken.

"Everybody in their lives has moments of struggle and this was my turn to have a moment of struggle. So, I just said 'okay, it's my turn let's get on with it let's move forward,'" said Scheuer.

Eliot says he took his recovery day by day and couldn't have gotten through it without this family and community support

"It's a lot easier to get on with recovery each day when you have a lot of people clapping for you. My wife was an amazing caregiver in a very difficult situation," said Scheuer.

Eliot and Marylyn have been married for 28 years; Marylyn says the past year hasn't been easy.

"It's been very long incredibly, challenging, and truly miraculous, it's been a year that you would never wish on anyone but a year that the growth and the blessing and the gifts were just incredibly apparent," said Marylyn Scheuer. "

Marylyn learned a lot about herself along the way.

"I learned that I'm capable of doing a whole lot more than I knew, I'm stronger than I realized. That by staying present and in the moment and dealing with what is right in front of me at that moment and expressing gratitude for everything that we could be grateful for just that we woke up that day," she explained.

Marylyn says practicing gratitude every day has made the biggest difference, no matter how small.

"He moved a toe for the first time when he couldn't move a leg, he couldn't move his leg so we thought he may never walk again. He moves his toe and it's the greatest thing in the world to celebrate," said Scheuer.

Eliot has been walking and independent for just four months now and plans on getting back to all his favorite activities... with the support of his caring community.

To learn more about Friendship Circle click here.