There are many reasons. First, I had a good education and that enabled me to structure a job that I could do while seated and with only one hand. Second, I was fortunate to work at the University of California, San Diego, in an environment that encouraged and supported a diverse group of faculty, staff and students.

But most important, was the overwhelming love and support of my husband, Dave Hodgens. He has done double duty in all parts of our life from housework, raising two kids, and supporting us while working full-time as a highly respected Radiation Oncologist here in San Diego.

That’s a question they should answer for you. Obviously they just saw me as “mom” when they were little. As they got older they became very protective of me. They didn’t like it when people stared at me. They instinctively helped me do things like going up and down curbs or stairs, walking with me on difficult terrain and pushing my wheelchair when I needed help. Even sometimes when I wasn’t aware I needed help.

Of course. But I’m able to arrange things in my house and at work so I can do them in a different way or have someone help me. I have lots of “teams”—people, friends and family that I rely on to help when I need it. Along the way, they’ve helped me learn to be graciously dependent.

I got my first set of artificial legs 6 weeks after the accident and worked very hard in physical therapy for about six hours a day doing strengthening exercises and learning to walk with the prostheses. I was able to walk a mile 5 1/2 months after the accident.

I resisted this for a long time because we like our privacy and because it seems like we live a pretty normal life. Whenever anyone hears our story and after people meet us, they almost universally say “You’ve got to write a book someday.” I think people like hearing or reading about people who’ve succeeded in spite of the odds being against them. It makes them feel that if someone who is worse off than them can do this, then they can do it too.  Dave’s promise to me right after the accident was “If you can do it, I can do it.” Over the years, I think people look at us and say. “If they can do it, we can do it.”

Well, first of all, there aren’t very many triple amputees. But mainly, I think it’s different because it’s a story that starts as a horrific accident but turns into a love story that shows over thirty plus years how we lived a normal life with children and successful careers.

Obviously everyone’s disability is different, but I think that mobility is probably at or near the top of everyone’s list. It ranges from walking with a cane to needing a wheelchair. And maybe more importantly, transportation for getting around town. Public transportation is very poor where we live so we rely on cars. It’s very expensive to modify a car for disabled people but it’s the key to getting them back to work and regaining independence.

Yes. My van has been adapted with a computer that enables me to drive with my prostheses on. A device cradles my right knee so that I accelerate or brake by moving my knee back and forth. There is a knob on the steering wheel so turning with one hand is easy. My wheelchair is in the back of the van on a motorized lift so it’s easy for me to get it in and out.