Changes

This post is difficult to write. Difficult in that I have thought about what I'm about to tell you for a long time. I kept thinking things would be resolved and get better and I'd not have to do this. When you've been with someone from the start and find things just are not working out, it makes for a hard decision; one I have found nearly as difficult as deciding to amputate my foot in 2009. It many ways it feels like a divorce.

First I want to say without reservation that I deeply appreciate all that my friend Larry Wiley has done for me at Floyd Brace. I know without any doubt that helping me reach my running dream has been as important to him as it has been to me. Never have I felt I have imposed on him and I know he genuinely has his patient's best interests in mind. From being there at the hospital when I had my surgery to traveling with me to the the Getting2Tri National ParaTriathlon Training Camp, Larry has been there every step along the way.

As I have pushed forward with my training with an eye on the Charleston Marathon, I have had many problems we've tried to resolve. Unfortunately, I have not been able to train consistently because of many issues as I've written about on this blog. Now in a tenuous position of being undertrained in a race that hates those who do not respect the distance; it even hates those who do respect the monster, it is an equal opportunity teacher. You will hurt, some more, some less. I have always hurt doing a marathon.

I have decided to change prosthetists. There, I've said it. Larry has taken me as far as we can go, and now I have to go further. I must be able to train on a consistent basis to achieve my goals, and I have decided after many months of gut checking introspection to become a patient at ProCare Prosthetics in Buford, Georgia. Many amputees will recognize this company as the one who has helped many high level athletes reach their incredible goals, like Scott Risgby, Jason Gunter, and Rajesh Durbal.

From before my amputation, I was told from other amputees that prosthetic fit is all-important and that I shouldn't let loyalty affect my judgment in prosthetic care. This is much easily said than done and I have struggled with it time and time again. I do know, however, it must be done, and the time is now.

I love the people at Floyd Brace and will miss the visits there as a patient. To see a child's face light up when Maurice Johnson simply walks into a room is a testament to their caring. God knows I appreciate that. To see how many employees and their families have begin their individual journeys back into health and fitness is something that their patients will benefit from...indeed, actions always speak louder than words. Thank you for all you have done for me, and know I will forever be grateful for your help.

As I enter the next phase of my amputated life, I will never, ever, forget those who helped me get here. Growing pains are difficult in everything we do, it is the struggle toward our goals that we engage in every day. There are things we must never let go, and others that we must change to move forward.

For me, that time is now.

Nobody said it was easy
Oh, it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start

                             - Coldplay "The Scientist"