DISABILITIES

By Daniel J. Vance

Recently I wrote about 36-year-old Scott Rogers, who hiked 1865 miles of the Appalachian Trail from March-November 2004 using a $50,000 prosthetic "computer leg" made up of microprocessors, sensors and hydraulics. He'd lost his left leg mid-thigh in 2002 following a hunting accident.

On November 12, Rogers was only two weeks from finishing when he abandoned his hike due to a family tragedy back home. "But I can still go back to where I left off and finish it," he recently said over the telephone.

Rogers can do that, but to earn a "2,000-mile" hiker designation he must finish by March 22.

On the trail he learned his limitations, he said, and realized he couldn't have made it without help from friends.

He said, "Around Derrick's Knob in Tennessee the four screws holding together my computer leg came loose and it 'broke.' Jack Braswell, a hiking partner, splinted the leg with my hiking pole so we could hike to the next shelter." In time a National Park Service worker brought an Allen wrench.

"I also had problems with my solar charger," he said of a device necessary for recharging his computer leg. "I met this hiker nicknamed 'Gadget,' who had all this electric stuff. He had a solar charger. I asked him where he got it. My wife called the company and they sent us one for free. Otherwise I wouldn't have made it."

While hiking in North Carolina on crutches due to muscle cramps, he physically gave up. "I'd reached my limit and was sitting on the trail," he said. 'An 82-year-old hiker named 'Batch' came along. He had heard of me from listening to Paul Harvey. He stayed a good half hour while I while strength returned. He popped my blisters. My hands were in excruciating pain whenever I put pressure on the crutches. He was crying when I looked back at him. He had been such an encouragement. I ran into him later and he said, 'After everything you've been through, I'm amazed at your perseverance and determination. You've given me courage to continue.'"

Rogers added, "I've received all this correspondence from people saying I've encouraged them. For a long time I had trouble accepting their compliments. I had never seen myself as encouraging anyone. But if I've inspired others to alter their lifestyle, then hiking the Trail was worth it."

For more, see www.danieljvance.com or www.onelegwonder.com