Nuptials about more than numbers

A year ago, Scott Frost was paralyzed.

Today, he'll stand at the altar and wed his longtime sweetheart.

It's a remarkable turnaround for the local nightclub and restaurant operator, who suffered a severe spinal injury in a motorcycle accident in May 2009. The last time the Review-Journal checked in with Frost, in August 2009, the businessman was bedridden and enduring a grueling daily rehabilitation schedule to regain function in his arms and legs.

"The hardest part has been the mental toll that happens when the simple things become really difficult," Frost, 44, said Tuesday. "You're surrounded by images on television, of people driving new cars, or you watch Gatorade commercials where people are out dunking basketballs or hiking. You start to think about how you'll never do that again. I have golf clubs in my garage that I will probably never swing again. There's a sense of loss, almost like grieving. But I'm settling into a routine and focusing on what I still can do, and what I have hopes of doing."

Here's what Frost can do: He can walk five or so feet without help. He'll roll down the aisle at Community Lutheran Church today in his wheelchair, where he spends much of his time, but he can stand on his own. He's even traveled on business to Reno and Phoenix to negotiate deals for his Titan Nightlife Group. He said his doctors tell him the extent of his recovery is something of a miracle.

In fighting his way back, Frost has awed his friends and associates.

When Titan co-founder Jeffrey Marks first visited Frost in the hospital three days after the accident, Frost couldn't move anything but his eyes or his lips. But the partners had been negotiating a lease for Hussong's Cantina and Taqueria inside Mandalay Place, and Frost's mind was on business.

"The very first words out of his mouth were, 'Don't let it stop. Let's go full-force and get this done,' " Marks said. "I have the utmost respect for Scott. He took the situation and wasn't regretful, or asking 'Why me?' He just went with it and got better."

Hussong's opened in January, eight months after Frost's accident. Brian Robison, vice president and general manager of the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, remembers how Frost rose out of his wheelchair at the restaurant's launch party and walked about 15 steps to the bar.

"The whole crowd erupted in cheering and applause," Robison said. "Scott is just amazing. It's been incredible to see him recover so quickly and with such a positive attitude."

At his side through it all has been his family, including fiancée Megan Powell, 26, who has been bringing Frost to business meetings and helping him with dictations, phone calls and e-mails.

"Megan is phenomenal. She does everything for him," Marks said. "She's always positive, and her level of maturity is unbelievable. She's been a great support for him in the business."

Frost and Powell discussed marrying in September 2009, but business and convalescence got in the way. Perhaps that's for the better: Frost said he's fielded some serendipitous signs that today is the couple's perfect day for marrying. For one thing, Frost and Powell met up down at Clark County's Marriage License Bureau with loads of other couples planning Oct. 10 nuptials.

"We'll have something unusual in common with a big chunk of people," Frost said. "We'll have a much greater probability of running into couples with the same anniversary. It'll be fun."

More amazing to Frost, though, is his pastor's wedding schedule for today, which includes just two other weddings, both starring brides in wheelchairs. The couples plan to swap photographs of their ceremonies.

Frost's professional life has flourished along with his personal life.

In addition to Hussong's, Titan now manages the AiRIA Nightclub inside the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler, Ariz. Titan has a new deal with the Womack brothers, including Brad Womack of "The Bachelor," to bring a concept from the Womacks' hometown of Austin, Texas, to Las Vegas. Agreements with artist Michael Godard and Mexico's popular Papas & Beer nightclub are on tap as well.

Frost said his long-term rehabilitation has taught him patience. But most importantly, his injury and his recovery have deepened his relationships with all of his family members, including Powell, his ex-wife, Heather, and his three children.

"We tend to complicate the simple things with the pursuit of material things and doing things for the other person," he said. "When you take away the ability to do those things, what's left is your ability to communicate and share your feelings. We still have our electronic devices, and there can be times when we're all sitting five feet from each other and looking at our iPods or iPhones. But there are a lot more times when we finish dinner and start talking, and two hours go by without the TV on, with us just talking and laughing. It's been nice to get back to the basic roots of what a relationship is."

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at
jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512.