After a life-changing car crash left him paralyzed from the chest down, UTPB student Blantyn Gusman discovered a new purpose: helping and inspiring others through teaching. With the support of The University of Texas Permian Basin community, he’s turning resilience into opportunity and shaping a new future for himself and others.
“He wants to show people if he can do it, they can do it.”
Blantyn Gusman started at The University of Texas Permian Basin in the fall 2025 semester, chasing his dream of becoming a teacher. His path has been anything but ordinary.
At 16, Blantyn was in a car crash. His friend was driving, Blantyn was in the passenger seat, and his friend’s cousin was in the back. When they pulled out onto the highway, they were T-boned. Blantyn’s neck broke, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.
“They lost him three times,” Michelle Gusman, Blantyn’s mother, said.
Blantyn had to relearn how to breathe, talk, get dressed, and write. Before the crash, he was a football player and powerlifter at Big Spring High School, able to squat and deadlift 500 pounds.
After such a dramatic life change, he has learned to overcome obstacles. Michelle says doctors told him he would never move his shoulders. Now, Blantyn can move them, steer his powered wheelchair, and write with the help of a device attached to his hand. Those victories motivate him to inspire and uplift younger generations.
“To help them with their outlooks, to be able to help people who’ve gone through things like me,” Blantyn said. “Just to help the younger generation.”
He chose UTPB for its smaller class sizes, believing he could succeed better. Since starting, he’s received nothing but support from students, faculty, and staff, whether it’s a fist bump in the hall, accommodating him with classwork, holding a door, or taking notes for him.
“Everybody’s been very helpful here, and I really like it,” Blantyn said. “I feel like I could come here on my own.”
Michelle has followed Blantyn to his classes, making sure he could get into doors and classrooms and complete his schoolwork. Thanks to the outpouring of support, she’s had more free time on her hands than expected. One student told her about the Makerspace in the J. Conrad Dunagan Library.
“She told me they could teach me how to do embroidery, 3D printing, laser cutting, and engraving,” Michelle said.
Now, she spends her days there making items for friends and learning a new skill. Coming to UTPB allows her son to pursue an education and gives her the chance to grow and explore, too. She also has a 14-year-old daughter who attends school online, so she signed her up as well and they spend time together in the Makerspace.
UTPB is a place where families can thrive, everyone belongs, and Falcons celebrate each other's successes. The Gusman family is one testament to that, and they will tell you they chose the right place to be. In fact, Blantyn isn’t even one semester in, and he thinks he’ll stick around for his master’s.
“I’m grateful that he chose UTPB because I know UTPB is going to have a big part in him having a better quality of life,” Michelle said.
Blantyn Gusman started at The University of Texas Permian Basin in the fall 2025 semester, chasing his dream of becoming a teacher. His path has been anything but ordinary.
At 16, Blantyn was in a car crash. His friend was driving, Blantyn was in the passenger seat, and his friend’s cousin was in the back. When they pulled out onto the highway, they were T-boned. Blantyn’s neck broke, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.
“They lost him three times,” Michelle Gusman, Blantyn’s mother, said.
Blantyn had to relearn how to breathe, talk, get dressed, and write. Before the crash, he was a football player and powerlifter at Big Spring High School, able to squat and deadlift 500 pounds.
After such a dramatic life change, he has learned to overcome obstacles. Michelle says doctors told him he would never move his shoulders. Now, Blantyn can move them, steer his powered wheelchair, and write with the help of a device attached to his hand. Those victories motivate him to inspire and uplift younger generations.
“To help them with their outlooks, to be able to help people who’ve gone through things like me,” Blantyn said. “Just to help the younger generation.”
He chose UTPB for its smaller class sizes, believing he could succeed better. Since starting, he’s received nothing but support from students, faculty, and staff, whether it’s a fist bump in the hall, accommodating him with classwork, holding a door, or taking notes for him.
“Everybody’s been very helpful here, and I really like it,” Blantyn said. “I feel like I could come here on my own.”
Michelle has followed Blantyn to his classes, making sure he could get into doors and classrooms and complete his schoolwork. Thanks to the outpouring of support, she’s had more free time on her hands than expected. One student told her about the Makerspace in the J. Conrad Dunagan Library.
“She told me they could teach me how to do embroidery, 3D printing, laser cutting, and engraving,” Michelle said.
Now, she spends her days there making items for friends and learning a new skill. Coming to UTPB allows her son to pursue an education and gives her the chance to grow and explore, too. She also has a 14-year-old daughter who attends school online, so she signed her up as well and they spend time together in the Makerspace.
UTPB is a place where families can thrive, everyone belongs, and Falcons celebrate each other's successes. The Gusman family is one testament to that, and they will tell you they chose the right place to be. In fact, Blantyn isn’t even one semester in, and he thinks he’ll stick around for his master’s.
“I’m grateful that he chose UTPB because I know UTPB is going to have a big part in him having a better quality of life,” Michelle said.
