Gary
Melbourne VIC
DOB Dec 1962
My name is Gary. I was born in December 1962
with congenital deformities of the left hand and right foot. My hand
has only two fingers. I am missing the middle three fingers. My thumb
is rigid as it has no knuckles and my little finger is missing the
extensor and flexor-longus muscles so, although I have full feeling in
it, I am unable to use the end of my finger. My right foot was turned
medially (inwards) at 90 degrees and had 3 only toes. It was amputated
when I was 5 years old. My childhood is full of sport. I think I got
close to trying everything. My weekends were full of hockey, football,
cricket, running, soccer, softball, baseball, along with watching my
beloved Navy Blues do their thing at Princess Park.
Academically I was an average student, but I left school early to make
my way in the world. I worked in a factory making security doors and
then moved into supermarket retail work in 1979 and remained there for
22 years, 17 of which were on the night shift as Manager at Safeway and
then at Coles. It was at Safeway that I met the lady who would become
my wife. Our first son, Michael, was born in 1983 and the first thing I
did was count his fingers and toes. Andrew came along in 1986 and again
I rushed to count fingers and toes. Our life revolved around working
hard and raising our children. We got involved in everything they did
and served on committees and fundraising ventures at various football,
hockey and hockey clubs as well as kindergarten and school committees.
One of the big thrills for me personally was coaching kids at T-ball
and basketball and serving as team manager for our oldest son's
football team. For many years you could just about account for every
minute of every day.
In 2001 I fulfilled a dream and became a qualified Massage Therapist.
18 Months later I returned to study and completed my Diploma of
Remedial Massage achieving the highest mark in the practical exam. I
worked as a sub contractor in a busy clinic and we opened our own
clinic in November 2004.
2006 has been an eventful year. I have been involved with Aussie Hands
in a small way and met some wonderful people. I have also been heavily
involved with Limbs4Life, a support group for amputees.
My goal has always been to extend myself to find my true potential and
then to push harder and get the most out of myself that I possibly can.
I am very competitive and love to win but I am happy to come second,
but only if I have my best.
Limbs 4 Life is a not for profit organization for amputees providing
peer support from qualified volunteers, information, social activities
and advocacy. If you would like to get in touch with Limbs 4 Life
please get in touch with Gary or contact Limbs 4 Life directly:
Web: www.limbs4life.com
Email : info@limbs4life.com
Phone: 1300 78 22 31 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1300 78 22 31 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (free call)
Post: PO Box 282 Tunstall Square, East Doncaster, Victoria 3109, Australia
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