Nationwide — Ronnie “Tre” Lawson, an African American educator from Macon, Georgia, who survived a 2017 car crash that caused a spinal cord injury, is living beyond what doctors first expected. He has since regained mobility, built a career in teaching, and shared his story through writing.
Lawson was 17 when he was involved in a crash on the way home from a summer track meet. A friend driving the vehicle fell asleep, causing the car to veer off the road and fall into a 30-foot ravine. He suffered a brain injury, an incomplete T12-L1 spinal cord injury, and abdominal trauma that resulted in loss of sensation from the waist down.
In the months that followed, Lawson said he faced serious mental health struggles and uncertainty about his future. He described a period where he questioned whether he would survive, while relying on support from family, friends, and faith to keep going.
According to 11Alive, he later underwent rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where therapists helped him relearn basic daily functions and rebuild strength. Over time, his condition improved beyond initial expectations, and he progressed to standing and walking short distances with assistance.
Despite ongoing recovery, Lawson continued his education at Fort Valley State University, where he graduated with honors in early childhood and special education. He later pursued graduate studies at Louisiana State University.
Lawson began his teaching career in February 2021 and now works in special education at Southfield Elementary School in Macon. He teaches kindergarten and first grade students and says the classroom has become a central part of his recovery and purpose through daily interaction with children.
In January, he published a book titled “The Hurdle That Broke Me,” which covers his life before and after the crash. The book explores his injury, mental health challenges, and the recovery process that followed.
Looking ahead, Lawson plans to open a school in Macon called Roll of Hope Academy. He aims to create more educational opportunities for students in his hometown while continuing his work in special education.