Miles Thomas Cushman

You lived life to the fullest

As Always

You Arose,

You Danced,

You Loved,

And You Lived against all odds.

You are Joy!

Miles Thomas Cushman was born in Beckley on Friday 13th, 1977. 13 was lucky for him. He forever wore the #13 proudly diving across the soccer field for the Rowdies, United, and Woodrow Wilson High School. Miles was an all-state sweeper (possibly earning his aggressive defense from his early years playing raucous games of ceiling soccer and fighting off his sisters.)

On June 6th, 1999 when Miles was at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia he was involved in a serious car accident and he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. Many angels of God appeared in those days and against all odds Miles miraculously survived. He was rushed from Blacksburg and then airlifted to Roanoke and ultimately taken to University of Virginia Medical Center where Dr. Gregory Helm and his team saved his life. Miles spent many years on his "Magical Mystery Tour" where he continued to baffle doctors often defying expectations  but always bouncing back with a big smile (especially for any of the young nurses) and a classic rock song on his lips.

Miles showed the world what it meant to live in the moment. After his accident he lost a lot of his short term memory. So when his mom made him some of her famous spaghetti, he enjoyed it beyond measure and Miles let her know that. “This is the best food I have ever tasted” he would say and he meant it because maybe he couldn’t remember the day before. He also could only see out of one part of one eye, and so he would often only eat half of what was on his plate. Then family members would tell him “Miles turn your plate around”  When he would find out that there was more delicious food, he would laugh and rejoice for the longest time before digging in.

Miles was a music lover, dancer and entertainer from when he took his first steps on his Aunt Judy and Uncle Joe’s pool table, to doing a full back tuck on stage after lip syncing Led Zeppelin at Woodrow Wilson high school talent show, to dancing to every single song with every single lady at every single wedding ever!  He loved live music. Even when he couldn’t see, he didn’t care he would turn his back to the stage and dance. He was the epitome of the phrase “dance like no one is watching” but of course we all were watching and trying to hold his belt to keep him from falling… which even when he would fall he would get right back up and keep dancing. His beloved "galaxy" phone was never far from his fingertips because that's how he played his music at any moment day or night. 

Miles was an amazing artist. He made beautiful abstract geometric paintings in bold, bright colors. Even when his mom and dad were asleep he would sneak down to his art table in the basement and put on his headphones and work on his artwork. He loved to give away his art to people he loved-always proudly signing them with a big MTC.

Miles lived out his 25 post accident years at Loons Landing with his parents. He shared a bedroom suite with his parents so they could keep an eye on him. But he would do everything he could to play his music as loud as he could or watch movies at the latest hours of the night. He didn’t want to bother his mom and dad so he would put towels under the door so they wouldn’t hear him.  He loved to walk Hawks Chase Lane and the surrounding streets of Glade Springs with his family and friends. He loved it so much that he would even sneak out of the house and walk on his own-at times neighbors even spotted him in an escape and brought him home. For those that knew Miles in high school--that doesn’t surprise anyone!!!

Miles loved games, especially word games.  He loved to play checkers and sing gospel songs with his beloved caretaker Doris. He would sing and dance to all the classic rock songs, jam on his drums and draw pictures often alongside his other caretakers along the way including his sisters and Doug.

There are no words to express the impact Miles had on this Earth. He was an inspiration to every single person that he came into contact with, whether he knew them or not. He lived his life to the absolute fullest pre and post accident. He made people feel seen that didn’t feel seen. When people felt they didn’t belong he made them space at the table. He made sure that they felt loved and accepted. He grabbed people’s hands and made them dance until their hearts were filled with joy. He made people do things they never dreamed that they could do and he inspired people to be the best versions of themselves.

Miles was the greatest son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend that any of us could ever ask for.

Miles, We love you to infinity!

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