His story:
My disability began when I had a low-speed motorcycle accident on Crete in the Mediterranean Sea, (July 13, 1985.) I was about two weeks from rotating back to the states for Intermediate Russian School at Presidio in Monterry, California. I guess it was not meant to be because I was airlifted to Wiesbaden and underwent emergency surgery to try to re-attach the femur (thighbone) head back to my femur.
A malignant bone tumor had undermined the integrity of my hip joint and re-attachment was not possible. I was med'evac'ed back to the states and ended up at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
I was in the hospital about a month and a half before I had a definitive diagnosis of Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma. I was very fortunate in that I was sent to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville where they attempted to save the leg and remove the tumor. The surgery went well and I still had my leg, but I lost some function. In short, they tried to use internal fixators and promote bone growth, but after about seven years of enduring what was basically a non-union I opted for total amputation. (It was also an attempt to manage chronic pain which was somewhat successful.) Since my initial surgery I was a HDHP, but still had my leg. It just wasn't very functional. Since my amputation I have felt far less disabled and adapted to my new disposition.
Fortunately I have great balance and my left leg is very strong. Over the years I have tried to be smart and utilize both wheelchair and crutches. A few years ago I came to a point where I had to undergo bi-lateral carpal tunnel releases and now I am trying to learn to listen to my body better. I am and continue to be very active since my initial surgery and after completing my undergraduate degree in International Relations at Saint Edward's University in Austin, Texas, (Dec 1988,) I (probably made) a 180-degree turn around in my interests.
That is what being involved in sports has done for me. Renewed my life and appreciation for the simple things, however, it didn't remain simple very long.
I never realized how competitive I could be and after spending about 5 years on the wheelchair tennis circuit, I finally returned to something that I discovered as a college student. Fencing! My focus has been on wheelchair fencing since about 1995 and I have been working very hard to spread the gospel of fencing and in general physical fitness and recreation for any and all persons with a disability. I have gravitated once again from working with adults to working with children because I really appreciated the children's enthusiasm and desire just to get out there and do something. My long range plans are to get a wheelchair fencing program up and running in Houston and continue to be a driving force for junior wheelchair sports in the United States with a particular emphasis on fencing (of course.)

My main accomplishments are: having made the first US Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing Team since the Tokyo Games, when the US medaled in Women's Foil, a silver.

In 1995 I was one of several wc fencer who competed in the first exhibition at the USFA Summer National Championships in Cincinnati, OH. I was a gold medalist in men's foil.

In 1998 I competed at the World Championships for the first time and hopefully I will compete in Sydney at the Paralympics in 2000.

Currently I am ranked internationally 12th in men's A foil and domestically I am ranked no. 2 (cumulative points in all three weapons, men's open division.)

My best results so far are: Gold medalist at the first America's Cup in Montreal, Mar. 99 in men's A foil and men's A epee. (Other countries participating were Canada and Argentina.)