rwagoner
I was born in 1964 with a genetic orthopedic disability. Over the years I walked with a very obvious leg deformity, used a cane, crutches and finally in 1985 I began using a wheelchair after an injury resulting from a fall.
My battle with weight started when I got in the wheelchair. Growing up I was always thin. I weighed 98 pounds when I graduated from HS in 1982. I started using the chair in 1985 and immediately started gaining weight from the lack of activity. I have dieted and cut calories and it just seems to make it worse. Now I am 44 years old...260 lbs...increasing health problems and all I want is to see my kids grow up, grow old with my wife and maybe even get to be a grandpa.
I was previously approved for weight loss surgery but developed an 11 inch blood clot in my thigh prior to my surgery date.
I have been married for 18 years to a wonderful woman and we have two amazing kids (who were both born premature), a son 10 and a daughter 4.
I'm a 26 year veteran E911 Dispatcher serving 28 Towns and 58 agencies in two States covering about 1000 square miles. We serve Police, Fire, EMS and Municipal agencies. I am the president of our local Police Union and serve as the Regional VP For Western NH for the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA)
I am 1 of only 150 people selected by the US Department of Justice and the EEOC to receive Federal training as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Consultant and am considered an Expert Witness on the ADA, Accessibility and Disability Policy.
I am an avid history buff (american civil war), sing bass in a barbershop quartet and am an ordained Minister and chaplain.