I grew up in Iroquois, SD it's located 18 miles east of Huron, SD. Iroquois is a small town with a population of 350. I worked for a local farmer from the ages of 11 to 18. I graduated from Iroquois High School in 1974. After graduation I worked for a local company that buried telephone and power wires underground.
In 1976 I had an accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down. After one year of rehab and two years of living in a nursing home in Sioux Falls, SD I got involved in politics and volunteer work. In 1980 I became a lobbyist for disabled people. In 1981 I successfully pushed threw a bill making it possible for those disabled people who wanted to have the opportunity live independently.
In 1981 I married and moved back to my home town. I served a term as Mayor and two as city councilman. I held the title as Director of the Iroquois Lake Association and in a five year project our community successfully restored our 30 acre lake. It was a 1934 WPA project but was drained because of a faulty dam in 1972. Now it is one of those beautiful out of the way spots where we all like to go to get away from life's hassles for a while.
I severed as an elder of the Redeemer Lutheran Church and helped with bible study with the kids. I helped resurrect the Little League baseball & softball programs and coached for 5 years. I helped resurrect the Iroquois Sports Day Celebration and served as chairman for 10 years.
I moved to Yankton in 1994 to be closer to my children who live in Tabor just 15 miles east of here. I serve as an advisory board member of the Prairie Freedom Center for Independent Living. I also serve on the City of Yankton's American with Disabilities Act (ADA) committee. I am now also active in working to educate people on the need for sidewalks and curb ramps. I also have a little friend from the Big Friends Little Friends Program and we hang out once a week for a coupe hours. I encourage everyone to get involved in this program they need us and some day we will need them.
Me and my friend Jesse