First Full-time 2nd Grade Teaching Year - Done!

Is the school year really over?!?! It’s hard to believe but that’s what everyone is telling me. This state of denial helped me get through the day without tearing up. My softer side was never on full display. There has been an abundance of beautiful connections made with many mini humans!

I sincerely LOVE my students. I want the best for each and everyone of them. Every day I go to work I get a glimpse of the future. Not only that but I get to help shape it!

Encouraging and facilitating opportunities to think critically and express themselves has helped them develop empathy and make connections between concepts and historical events. Teaching them to connect ideas with underlying layers of geography, human drive, and government has helped shaped their world view. Watching children reach their own insights is an instant dopamine release for me! Few things bring greater joy!!!

This job has challenged me in ways beyond anything I faced as an EMT, Hotshot, Marine, or Smokejumper. It’s been tough! If it were easy - it probably wouldn’t be worth it!!!

Teaching second grade has been the most meaningful thing I’ve done with my life!

It’s especially awesome to expose these young souls to someone, who may lack a limb, but refuses to tap out. More importantly, I’m sure my students sense every day, I show up and deliver, not just enough to keep my job, but to deliver the most enthusiastic and effective lessons in the world!

It means so much to me to know that I mean so much to my students. Nonetheless, there’s been a handful, that were tough to connect with. A few students were simply defiant as their default mode. I refrain from any sort of power struggles. I have enough experience to know it’s an exercise in futility. Whether students are amenable softies or rebellious challenges - interacting with them is still a privilege!

It doesn’t escape me, I get to spend more time with these children than some of their parents. This is a privilege and huge responsibility. Families put significant trust in me. I’ve had a few “tense” back and forths with a few parents. The criticism directed toward me is often based on a lack of knowledge of the situation.

I’m responsible for this as clear communication with families is one of my many responsibilities. These exchanges have been tense because they seem directed at undermining my competency as an educator. I don’t think parents have offered me ample opportunity to explain the situation while directing harsh statements at the discretion used in my decisions.

It hasn’t even been a full day yet but I already miss my students! I know change is the only constant. Two months of splendid summer activities, memories, and noteworthy growth - they won’t be the same sweet 2nd graders I just said farewell to. I LOVE them so much!

I love having some discretion in what I teach and how I go about it. I love shaping the future. I’m in love with the innocent and imaginative minds I get to affect. The students will never forget their one legged teacher. I will never forget them! There’s no shortage of LOVE to go around! This is what I’m made for!!!

Trailer Complete + Film Entered In Festival!

So stoked to share this with the world! It’s been beautifully crafted - big shout out to BigCedarMedia.com

https://bigcedarmedia.com/documentary-films/flowing-air?fbclid=IwAR1_XTkCagwsNwge0148h3ehVC5Qm5dE9i9MAIxLO1Mz9mbEz5q5Oia_bA0

Cool conversation made it into a magazine!

One thing leads to another… That’s for sure!

I was big time neglectful/irresponsible this day. I was supposed to have set aside an hour for this interview didn’t happen... Hence, the interview was conducted in my natural habitat. I was in the air when the call came in. I responsibly and rapidly descended when I realized the error!

The conversation happened after all - and with some style points! I had been flying South Mountain in Phoenix.

I knew the HUGE opportunity to share a part of my ongoing story via a TEDx Event would lead to other platforms. In this case, it’s a magazine! It’s published 4 times a year, rooted in the Northern Rockies (Big Sky, MT). It starts on page 120. You can check it out via the link below:

https://issuu.com/outlawpartners/docs/mtoutlaw_summer_2021_web

https://www.mtoutlaw.com

It's Gone - Alas!!!! =)

Just like that it’s gone! There’s no way to be fully prepared for the sight and shock of seeing that your lower limb has been removed!

I’m writing this from my hospital bed on the fifth floor of the Seattle Veteran’s Hospital. 

A few days ago I had my twin brother, and several other loved ones at my side, as I was wheeled off to the operating room. Before making my way to the OR my super rad transport, Edward, paused to let me give my loved ones in the hall one last look. I took my right leg and extended it for them. It would be the last time they’d see my lower right limb.

I found myself in a large transition room/pre-op room. In this room I met the anesthesiologist and the surgeon, Dr. Lack, came by. 

It’s clear that the Seattle Veteran’s Hospital partners closely with school’s of medicine. This was great because qualified providers explain every move in great detail for their trainees. I never felt like I was in the dark.

The anesthesiologist and her trainee discussed, based on the sensation lower limb, where the optimal placement of the nerve block would be. An ultrasound was used to place it. As the needle moved around it struck a nerve that hadn’t been activated in 5 years! It was crazy! I felt sensation around my right foot. 

It was painfully ironic to feel my right foot just minutes before we cut it off!

Nonetheless, on we went with the process. I appreciated throughout the whole experience how much credence was given to my personal preference. I made my aversion to opiates known and shared my preference for ketamine as an anesthetic. The anesthetist obliged. 

It felt great knowing there were some folks thinking of me in the waiting room. I was now in the operating room. This is the place. This is where the action happens. The room filled with a half dozen members of the surgical team. 

I felt the cool liquid of the anesthetic enter via the iv and begin circulating. It took about two seconds then I was out.

Next thing I knew I was “coming to” in a weakened state. As soon as I could muster the strength I tossed off my sheets to reveal my severed limb. Wow! No foot in site! 

Shortly after sitting up I was wheeled to what would become my room for the next few days. 

Moments later my loved ones entered the room. My mom was emotional. This experience had to stir up memories from my lengthy and uncertain hospital stay in 2013. At first sight of my missing limb my Mom’s eyes filled with tears. 

My demeanor seemed to counter my Mom’s emotions. I felt bewildered and thrilled about what’s next. This is what I’d been pushing for. I had been told “no” and I “wasn’t a good candidate” several times. Deep down, I’m confident the amputation is a solid move in the right direction when it comes to quality of life.

We’ve tried to salvage my limb for 5 years now. Nerve regeneration stopped about two years after my accident. It’s safe to say, at this point, I have what I have. 

My Mom was understandably emotional. During my 2013 coma, a blood clot developed in my right leg. Concerted effort was made to keep my leg.

More importantly, the lower extremity support device, that allowed me to lost the cane, had given me the ability to do much of the outdoor activity I live for. I’m forever grateful for the IDEO/ExoSym device. It was an absolute game changer!

This amputation is undoubtedly also a game changer. First I have to wait for this limb to heal into a stump. That’s going to get my patience muscles some real exercise! On to what’s next…

I informed my physical therapists where I’d be headed to next has stairs. The social worker has also become involved with recommendations for the next step. Collectively, the decision was made to transfer me to inpatient rehab where I’ll build confidence with stairs using forearm crutches. 

However, yesterday, I crushed it during some training on stepping up and down from a platform. This morning we continued that training only using the stairwell. I hopped my way up and down a flight of stairs three times. My physical therapists have been impressed and see little benefit to continued my continued stay as an inpatient. 

I’m motivated to get out of here as soon as possible. The lackluster food and lack of decent coffee embolden my enthusiasm for discharge. 

It’ll take about six weeks for my stump to heal up. Afterward, I’ll be admitted as an inpatient for a couple weeks. The stay will consist of casting for the prosthesis, physical therapy, and adjustments of my prosthetic limb. I can’t wait for that experience! I’m thrilled about greater mobility and fewer infections on a prosthetic!

Better Than I Expected...

Instead of spending three days in the hospital - I was out in 3 hours! My back surgery last Friday went very well.

I had the surgery to remove a screw. This screw has been a pain in my a$$! Quite literally - pun intended! There’s about a dozen screws throughout my body. Two of them, have been particularly troublesome.

I’ve always been a relatively thin guy. A tall thin build becomes a painful problem with hardware. You have screws poking out without much cushion around them! My lower back lacks any form of cushion. This is also where two of my longest screws are!

An essential part of putting me back together, after my fall in 2013, was reattaching my pelvis. My pelvis and spine were separated upon my harsh impact on a rocky ridge. The orthopedic surgeon fastened my pelvis back to my spine with two long screws through my sacrum/iliac joint. 

After I started walking, getting these two screws out was on my priority list - right next to flying again!

The screws were just painful. Brushing up against something, making my way through a crowd, or synching my belt a little too high, would max out my pain receptors!

I had one screw removed in 2014 in Arizona. My surgeon explained the significance of these screws and the consequences of premature removal. I was informed and a little frightened so I wanted to play it conservatively. He advised me to have the screws removed in separate surgeries spaced apart.

The most recent screw was removed in Idaho through the Boise VA. It went really well! This operation likely concludes my hardware removal. I get to keepthe rest of it and continue to show up at the airport extra early. 

Through this, recovery from back surgery, I’ve had some great days. In addition to seeing my amazing mom, I’ve soaked up several unique and worthwhile experiences.

Yesterday, on a downtown rooftop, I met my good friend Lucas for a 6am sunrise yoga class. The practice started off outside in darkness. We started while the sun was still sleeping behind the mountains to the east and the air was filled with a fresh morning chill. I enjoyed this refreshing chill and being outside to witness the first rays of light over the horizon.

My recovery has been a long journey. A very long journey. There have been no shortage of surprises and twists in this organic and uncharted territory. After my last stay in the ICU, in June, following 2 intense grand-mal seizures, I regained consciousness in the hospital and made a decision. 

It took a few minutes to come to terms with what was going on and the implications involved. Once I became fully aware what I was dealing with, I was also fully aware, that the situation “sucks”. I was set to start a fire assignment teaching fire classes in Oregon - in just a few days! Now what was I going to do?!?! After a few minutes of frustration I made a decision.

I decided, what I’ve experienced over the last two years has been painful, unfortunate, and detrimental. I would have preferred to never put myself, my family, and those close to me through so much. These things have happened. Although they’re terribly unfortunate, they at least make for an incredible story. In my hospital bed I decided I’m going to write a book.

I’ve already been working at it! There’s no shortage of material and I love to write! I’ve got a great title for it and my nerdy/techie skills set can do a lot to create and promote it.

I’ve created this website for the book, and plan to launch my Kickstarter Campaign, some time next month.  Please stay tuned!…