By Dave Tompkins
Despite being born without a right arm and having a three-fingered hand on a partial left arm, scoliosis, and a short leg, don’t call Kurt P. White disabled. He has played golf since he was 10 and even placed in the National Amputee Golf Tournament. He also bowls, shoots pool, hunts with a crossbow, fishes, and drives his car without any adaptions or assistance.
“I don’t like the word ‘handicapped,’” said Kurt. “The word ‘capped’ alludes to limitations. I prefer ‘handi-capable.’ I think all of us are born with some sort of disability, some are just more obvious than others. Visually, mine are easier to see, but that shouldn’t limit you from what you set your mind to. My motto is ‘live life to the fullest as a handicapable person.’”
Growing up in Wyoming, Illinois, Kurt was the only disabled child he was aware of in town. He spent much of his time in and out of the Shriner’s Hospital in Oak Park, where he underwent orthopedic surgeries and therapy to improve his mobility and independence. His spine and legs were corrected, but attempts to provide a prosthetic arm were unsuccessful, as Kurt didn’t find anything that worked for him.
“The last one I had was when I was a preschooler. It was basically a hook with a rubber band that I could open or shut with my shoulder. Later in life, one of my friends told me that he thought it was a toy and that I wouldn’t share it with him. He was mad because no matter how early he got to school, I always had it,” laughed Kurt.
Although he doesn’t have an artificial arm, he’s had a prosthetic leg since junior high when his left leg was shortened even more, and his foot was turned around 180° to allow his ankle to act like a knee. Before then, Kurt said he had to use a brace to walk, and the brace was little more than a peg leg. Kurt said he basically grew up at the Shriner’s Hospital, but eventually, he was no longer eligible for their services.
“I was so fortunate to be a part of the Shriner’s program,” said Kurt. “It allowed me to receive all of my surgeries, therapy, and my prosthesis at no charge, but I was no longer qualified when I turned 18. Artificial limbs are expensive, so I continued to use my artificial leg as long as I could, but unfortunately, you grow, but the prosthetics doesn’t. It got to the point where I needed something else.” That’s when Kurt turned to Comprehensive Prosthetics and Orthotics of Peoria.
“I met Todd McAllister (a certified prosthetist with CPO) to discuss my needs and expectations,” said Kurt. “He looked over the type of artificial leg I had, and he took it on as a personal challenge to make the right one for me. He brought me into the process and gave me the opportunity to make suggestions. I don’t think there are many that would take the time and involve me as he did. That personal attention meant a lot to me.”
Kurt met Todd regularly to review the process and make adjustments. That was over 20 years ago, and Kurt continues to meet with Todd and the CPO staff to make more adjustments and improvements.
“I am very active and independent, so I need routine maintenance,” said Kurt. “When I call CPO, I usually tell them ‘I blew another gasket.’ In all my time with CPO, this is my second leg. Their products really stand the test of time. Without them, I more than likely would be confined to a wheelchair.”
Not that that would slow Kurt down. When he’s not working at Better Bank of Peoria, he volunteers at Children’s Hospital at OSF and is ‘on call’ to talk to parents who have a special needs child. His story, optimism, and encouragement help them understand the blessings and challenges they will face. This is a message that he also shares as a professional motivational speaker to high school students, athletic teams and churches, and any group who has a desire to remove the word “can’t” from their vocabulary.
“I believe God has given me the tools to share the wonders of His grace,” said Kurt. “I use my experiences to tell people not to just be happy with figuring out a way to do something—excel at it to be the best they can be.”
CPO has more than 20 locations, including offices in Peoria. CPO offers innovation in prosthetics, orthotics, and pedorthics with compassionate care and attentive customer service. You can learn more about Comprehensive Prosthetics and Orthotics and find a directory of all locations at www.cpousa.com, or call them for more information at 309-676-2276.
Photos courtesy of Comprehensive Prosthetics & Orthotics. Healthy Cells Magazine is courteously reprinting this article with these correct photos.