Vintage

Physical disability is only one aspect of who a person is, and often there are many ways to be of service to the community that do not involve physical ability. With diabetes being a major cause of amputations here in the USA I wanted to help with a recent Phoenix area event. The American Diabetes Association puts on a fund & awareness raiser called the Tour de Cure.

I offered my services as a nurse and as a ham radio operator. They were able to use me at a rest stop to provide medical care to any riders who needed it and to help keep an eye on the many diabetics who participate in the event. As an amputee I am able to work as a nurse without any problems, however even if I was a wheelchair user being a ham radio operator would have been equally valuable. Being able to provide quality, efficient communications is much more a mental than physical task and I would encourage anyone looking for way to serve the community and do so with limited physical requirements to look around for things you can do. The sense of “giving back” is well worth the effort.