On October 14, 1991, at the age of 23, I went to Vanderbilt Hospital with what I thought was a common cold. While waiting to see the Doctor I collapsed and fainted and it was upon awakening that I discovered that I was paralyzed from the bottom of my ribs down. The Doctors after exhausting every test diagnosed me with Transverse Myelitis. For the next year, I remained in the hospital with a tracheostomy and a feeding tube. I regained little feeling but still had to relearn how to do everything including talking and feeding myself.

Upon discharge from Vanderbilt Hospital, I was taken to Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. At this facility, for the next year and a half I learned how to live life from a wheel chair. I became employed at Easter Seals and transported handicapped people to meetings and appointments. I love and enjoy being of service to others and the community. My life is not over because of my limitations. I have overcome a lot; constant hospitalizations, testing, wound care, IVs, and medicines. At one point in this journey, I was told by physicians that the infection would “ravage” my body. The only way to prolong my life; according to physicians, was to remove the lower half of my body. Concerned about further complications, I elected to not have that surgery. 

Here I am 20 years later. I am blessed to still be alive. I find peace and strength in my strong walk with the Lord and sharing my life with my wife Cinda. I am working with children of all ages at Patterson Park Community Center. However, my legs no longer bend and this has become cumbersome to transport me to and from the center. 

My friends and family are holding a fundraiser on Friday March 9, 2012 from 5-8pm at Patterson Park Community Center. The funds rose from the Chili Supper and Silent Auction will go directly toward purchasing a lift and controls for the van that will transport me to work at the community center, enable me to attend ballgames of the children with whom I work, and to continue growing toward complete independence.