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COVER STORY
Nathaniel Fox - Man Against The Odds
When Nathaniel Darnell Fox broke his
neck in a diving accident while on vaca
tion in Florida in 1974, he thought his
future had become a thing of the past.
He asked a member of the medical
evacuation unit, “I’m paralyzed aren’t
I?” He received no response, but deep
within, Nathaniel knew that he was off
of his feet for life.
Nat Fox was born in Southern Pines,
North Carolina, a resort center northwest
of Fayetteville, but grew up in
Greensboro, N.C. His father was in con
struction work, a cement finisher so the
family moved around a lot. In 1967, the
construction company that Mr. Fox
worked with was contracted to build an
addition to the University of Georgia
School of Law Building and the Fox
family moved to Athens.
Nathaniel graduated from the former
Athens High School in 1970 and was ac
cepted at the University of Georgia.
Because of his good academic record, a
national program, sponsored by U.G.A.
School of Social Work, invited Nat to at
tend a seminar workshop entitled
“Teaching as a Subversive Activity.”
That workshop helped to re-enforce
Nat’s beliefs about the injustices that
Afro-Americans faced during that period
of social unrest.
Nathaniel attended UGA for two
quarters then worked with his father in
construction for a while. However,
always in the back of his mind, he knew
he would return to school to continue his
studies.
In September of 1971, Nat joined the
Air Force. He had heard of the G.I. Bill
that would pay tuition for those who
joined a branch of the Armed Forces.
Nat had been in the Air Force three years
when the accident occurred.
Nat spent seven months in a Memphis,
Tennessee rehabilitation center. During
this time he went through several stages
before accepting his handicap. He first
denied that the accident happened, he
said it was a “bad dream” from which
he would soon awaken. Second, he tried
to make “a deal” with God; that if God
would heal him, he would forever serve
Him and praise His name. Third, he
became so bitter and angry with God that
he resorted to personal destructive
behavior.
Finally, with counseling, the support
Picture L.R.: Zinnsetta, Rusty, Linda. Seated: Nathaniel Fox.
4
of the family and friends and the en
couragement and assistance of the
Athens community, Fox decided that he
still had the ability to think and talk and
that he had to make a life for himself and
his family.
Nat enrolled at UGA and in succession
received the B.A. Degree in Psychology
in August, 1980, M.A. Degree in the
Rehabilitation Counselor Training Pro
gram in December, 1983, and the PH.D.
Degree in Counseling and Student Per
sonnel Services in January, 1993.
Dr. Fox has had many professional ex
periences. Most recently, he served as
Researcher/Investigator (Graduate
Associate), UAP for Persons with
Developmental Disabilities, UGA, as
Counselor/Instructor (Graduate Assis
tant), Division of Developmental
Studies, UGA, and a Volunteer
Counselor at Shiloh Baptist Church,
Athens. Dr. Fox also serves on several
local commissions.
Dr. Fox is the author of several
publications; has made many scholarly
presentations, and he is the recipient of
various awards.
Dr. Fox and his lovely, supportive
wife, Linda are the parents of four
children: Zinnsetta, Rusty, Mike and
Pat.
Dr. Fox said his desire to help others
led him to the field of counseling and
that by having experienced the trauma
that other handicapped persons are now
experiencing, he can help inspire them to
work hard and look forward to a bright
future. Dr. Fox attributes his well being
and success to his faith in God and he
quotes from Philippians 4:13: “I can do
all things through Christ which
strengthen me.”
Dr. Fox leaves the University of
Georgia and Athens on September 2 for
Troy State University in Troy, Alabama
where he will serve as a rehabilitation
counselor.
Zebra Magazine congratulates Dr.
Nathaniel D. Fox and wishes him hap
piness and success in a future that is fill
ed with promise.
ZEBRA VOL. 1 ISSUE 5