Persistence, determination needed to reach goals, according to Naylor

Persistence and determination are things with which commencement speaker and businessman Irv Naylor is very familiar. Paralyzed following a fall from his horse during a 1999 steeplechase event, Naylor spoke from experience when he told the more than 700 graduates at the ceremony, "Always remember: persistence and determination alone are omnipotent in accomplishing your goals."

Shortly after his fall, Naylor turned his "interest, instincts, and intellect toward a cure for my paralysis. It wasn’t long before I began to recognize stem cell research as my best hope -- and the best hope for others like me. I met Dr. Jose Cibelli, a pioneering scientist to whom I took an instant liking. I became mesmerized by his work: his brilliance was fascinating; his optimism contagious; his charm disarming."

Naylor has helped fund Dr. Cibelli's research, a patented process called "dedifferentiation." Cibelli and his team were able to convert his skin cells back to their embryonic stage. Their plan is to obtain both European and American approvals before having the newly reprogrammed cells injected into the location of his C5/6 injury.

There are risks to the procedure, "death or cancer," according to Naylor. "But fear pales in the face of hope – and my hope is to be the first person with my paralysis condition to walk from a wheelchair," he said. "And then millions worldwide will follow me from their wheelchairs. Hopefully, by Spring 2011, I will be walking in the May sunshine among the green pastures and brilliant flowers and buds on our Maryland horse farm."

Naylor received a standing ovation following his address from the crowd of more than 6,000, which spilled out from beneath the ceremony tent. 

Read Naylor's address below. (You may print the PDF; if you experience difficulty, please contact the Office of Communications.)