A series of health complications led to the amputation of my right leg below the knee due to Charcot. My health team and I worked for a year to salvage the limb but were unsuccessful. I received my first prosthesis in April 2016.

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I am a retired registered nurse, originally from Waco, Texas. I graduated from Texas State Technical Institute in 1970 with an Associate of Applied Sciences degree. From 1970 to 1990, I served in the United States Army, retiring as a Sargent First Class. My military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster and a Legion of Merit. Upon retirement, I attended St. Philips College completing the Certified Nurses Aide Course, the Licensed Vocational Nurse Course. In 1993, I graduated from the Baptist School of Nursing and passed my nursing boards as a Registered Nurse. I have completed nursing residencies in Medical/Surgical Nursing, Collaborative Care Nursing, Critical Care Nursing and Trauma Nursing.  I've worked as a Critical Care/Trauma Nurse in Trauma/Emergency centers throughout Texas, and I retired as a Senior Administrative Nurse for the State of Texas.

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I assist the Foundation with medical assessments of applicants for Foundation services, and I am a Certified Peer Visitor providing education and peer support to fellow amputees. I helped form the Foundation's standing adaptive tennis team, Full Metal Racquets, and I serve as the Team Captain.

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I've been married to Sallie since 1971, and our daughter, Robyn, is a Nurse Hospitalist.