Jim Goldsmith
Director Emeritus / Co-Founder
No Barriers USA Success Stories
Meet James and Cathy Culver
At the age of seven James contracted the Strep Group A bacteria in his bloodstream. Initially diagnosed with a viral infection, after four days of fever and soreness in his legs, James was rushed to the children’s hospital with a prognosis that he may not make it through the night. Hooked up to a machine that breathed for him, my son’s life was saved. Eight weeks and five surgeries later, his illness resulted in amputation of both legs and one arm. For the past three years he has been in a wheelchair and was just recently fitted with his first prosthetic.
In 2007, we attended the No Barriers Festival in Squaw Valley, CA just ten months out of the hospital. We had no idea what to expect. When we got there, there were people just like James doing things that mostly able-bodied people do and we were in awe. The impact it had on James was significant. James now knew he could do so much more that he thought as an amputee. The experience gave him the incentive to try as opposed to thinking he just couldn’t do something. When he was on the Segway, it was so wondrous to see him on a motorized vehicle (just like the motorcycle he had gotten for Christmas 3 months before the incident). When the company and another man offered to send James his own Segway, my son lit up like a Christmas tree. He also found out he could still swim with his stumps without fear. It was so inspirational to him and me.
Although he was not able to participate in everything, he enjoyed a few clinics and met other people just like him. And I found resources, devices, and adaptive equipment I didn't know existed for James. It was such a positive experience that when Festival 2009 at Shake-A-Leg Miami was announced I got our travel plans in line to be there again.
When we went to the 2009 Festival, James was excited to see more. He couldn’t wait to show his skills in the diving pool but also he found the bicycles. He had not been on one in the 3 years since the incident and the next thing I knew he was racing his twin sister around the observation tent. James made it a point to visit every vendor to see what they had so that he could find a way to further his ability to do everything. He was so happy to be using the various equipment and devices.
After coming home, we sent out all the pictures to the family and case manager’s to show them how important this festival was for him. No Barriers has made my son live without fear of his disability.
