REAL STORIES
Aileen Cudworth
Edward Garrity
Jessica Long
Mike Roberts
Alisa Webb
Russ Wedge |
"Sugar diabetes... that means that the blood is not getting down to the body," was Ed Garrity's first-hand account of his battle with diabetes and the all too common circulatory problems that go along with it. However Ed brings an uncommonly bright attitude to the fight.
Born in 1927, Ed was brought up during the Great Depression. He served his country as a naval seaman during WWII at the age of 16. After leaving the Navy, he married his sweetheart -- their marriage is as strong today as ever. Ed's career as a plumber kept him physically on the go, using his hands and feet, but in the 1970's he was diagnosed with diabetes. Ed had been winning all of the major battles over diabetes until the circulation failed in his right leg. The disease had progressed. Doctors tried two different surgeries to restore circulation to Ed's right leg, but within a month of the surgeries, they had to amputate.
"I never thought I could walk really well again," is about the most pessimistic statement you'll hear Ed say. His personality and lifestyle wouldn't let him stay in a wheelchair after that. He and his wife found Real Life Prosthetics where he regained a freedom of mobility beyond his expectations. Ed says, "I can really walk, real good, without a cane. That's how these people picked me up. I'll recommend this place to anybody."
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