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

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. That was the beginning of Sonya Park's relationship with pain. In 1999, a six-foot fall was the event that led to a decade of pain and nine surgeries to try and fix her damaged ankle.

Her story of pain and being a perpetual patient is not unlike Scott Rigsby's story but their paths would not cross until her decade of debilitating pain was nearly complete. Amid the surgeries and chronic pain, Sonya and her husband had a son and tried to carry on with life. Her ankle however was not coming to that party.

Sonya's doctor finally suggested that the best solution was to amputate her leg below the knee. During the eight months that led up to her surgery, Sonya contemplated what life would be like without her foot. She grieved the upcoming lose and considered what life without pain would be like.

Just days before her scheduled amputation, Sonya went to hear a motivational speaker at her church in Prineville, Idaho. The speaker was Scott Rigsby. His words of overcoming adversity inspired her. His accomplishment and world-record at The Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon  astounded her. He knew of her pain and life as a perpetual patient.

After his talk was finished, Sonya introduced herself to Scott and told him about her upcoming surgery. Scott encouraged her and, as he does, gave her a sense that things were going to be more than just fine.  Months later, Sonya's eight-year-old son has dubbed her,"SuperMom," and he wrote to Scott telling him exaclty why his Mom is his hero.

Life is not without struggles as she gets stronger. She faces a final surgery to repair her opposite knee which has been damaged by years of compensating for her ankle's weakness but she is ready for that challenge too, Her sights are set high.

Sonya has an Unthinkable dream of skiing again one day when she can be fitted with the right prosthetics. In the mean time, she too is changing the world one life at a time. Grateful for the support she has received, Sonya offers support to other amputees and soon-to-be-amputees as a member of the Central Oregon League of Amputees.



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