YOUR UNTHINKABLES

David Sherman

Professional Football Player/Father Walks Again Sports and athletic competition defined David Sherman’s life. As a former part-time NFL Washington Redskin and European football player, he played through countless injuries » more

SSgt Carl (Steve-O) Clendenning Jr USMC active duty

Wounded Warrior does the Unthinkable Steve-O is an active duty Marine stationed at Wounded Warrior Battalion East at Camp Lejeune, NC. » more

Jessica and Anthony Rankin

A Mother’s Difficult Choice to amputate her child’s foot Anthony (Ant) Rankin was born with a very rare bone disease called Maffucci Syndrome. By the time he was a toddler his right leg was shorter than his left » more

Jason Gunter

jason gunterFireman/Lawyer loses 2 limbs; and attempts Hawaiian Ironman After watching video of Scott Rigsby completing the Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii as a double amputee, Jason was inspired to enter » more

Sonya Parks

Amputation ends a decade of pain and grows a hero A fall from her husband’s semi truck resulted in a broken ankle. Such an injury may sound simple unless the bones didn’t just break but shattered. » more

Kim Houk

Dental Infection led to Quadruple Amputation and new hope In October, 2007, Kim went to the dentist and soon after spent a month in ICU, underwent open heart surgery, lost her heartbeat three times... » more

Kim Houk: Dental Infection led to Quadruple Amputation and new hope

IV drug users have been known to contract endocarditis , a rare form of staph infection, that can lead to loss of limbs.  Kim was not a drug user nor did she realize that a routine visit to the dentist might result in this sort of infection.  But, it did.  In a short order of time, she went from being on a mission to love her grandkids to Nana on a mission to survive.

In October, 2007, Kim went to the dentist and soon after spent a month in ICU, underwent open heart surgery, lost her heartbeat three times, suffered liver and kidney failure, as well as a slight brain bleed.  Her hospital stay lasted over four months and when she left, she did so without hands or feet.  They had to be amputated.
 
Life without legs below the knee, as Scott Rigsby knows, has its challenges.  Imagine adding to that the loss of one's hands as well.  Yet, amid the struggle optimism rings in Kim's voice.  She is determined to relearn the most simple of tasks with the use of prosthetics and what remains of her limbs.  Today, she can even write her shopping list without bothering to put on her prosthetic hands.  Resourceful and determined, that's Kim.

When asked how she stays so positive, her answer is instant - her grand daughter.   To her, Kim is Nana; same as always.  This little bright spot is quick to offer to help if a task might be tricky for Nana since she doesn't have hands, but to her Kim is still the Nana she loves.   It's that kind of love that compels Kim to embrace every day and its challenges.

She doesn't have a particular finish line because every day has challenges.  She wants to be able to do everything she could do before losing her limbs.   A nurse at Kootenai Rehab Unit told her about Scott and his story and words of encouragement were an important part of her journey.

After meeting Scott Rigsby and seeing the "Unthinkable" in her hospital room offering encouragement, Kim wants the world to know, "If you persevere through the pain and fear by believing in yourself and having faith then you'll succeed.   And never say, "I can't."



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