Reaching The Shore : A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance

It is not the hand that we are dealt that determines if we win at the game of life, but how we play our hand. This is the story of Davin J. Douma who was dealt a tough hand, but he played it well. Davin was sentenced to life in prison when he was 16 years old for killing a man which he deeply regretted throughout his life. While in the county jail awaiting trial, Davin’s appendix burst. He laid on a cold cell floor in severe pain for days unattended. Then, when it was almost too late, he was in a hospital where he was fed intravenously for five months. Weighing only 90 pounds after being in the hospital, he was sent to a dangerous maximum security prison with adult prisoners. Only one out of a hundred juveniles with life sentences ever come out of this type of prison. Many die and others are never released in Oklahoma where Davin was imprisoned.  He used his intelligence and people skills to survive. In prison Davin changed and he dedicated himself to intensive personal development. Prison, in a way, became like his monastery. He read over 4,000 books on every subject imaginable, took courses, became a highly skilled martial artist, practiced Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation. He practiced Tai Chi for at least 2 hours a day for over 20 years and became a Tai Chi master.  Davin also became a skilled writer and speaker and worked on his character development. He became a teacher on a variety of subjects for other prisoners and helped young newcomers adjust to prison and to rehabilitate themselves. For over 25 years he spoke to schools and to kids to steer them away from a life of crime.