Brian White's College Fund
Donation protected
My name is Brian White. I am married and have two awesome kids. My son, Brody, is 8-years-old, and my daughter, Millie, is 2-years-old. First, I would like to say that I do not ask for help easily. I created this page months ago, but I couldn't bring myself to share it until now. I ask that you read my story. I am sorry that it is so long. If after reading it you feel like you would like to help, I ask that you only donate if you have extra cash. I Please do not put yourself in a bad financial situation trying to help me. Prayers are appreciated from everyone though.
While performing my routine duties on an April day in 2010, my right leg became entangled with an auger. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I was relentlessly drawn into the machine. Then the unthinkable happened. My right leg was gone. One second it was there, and the next it was gone. The machine had caused what I would come to know as a transfemoral amputation. I was extremely lucky to have survived the injury, but I didn’t feel fortunate in the beginning. I felt scared, alone, and confused. I was married and had a two-year-old son at home. I thought that I would never be able to chase my son around the yard again. I had no idea how I would provide for my family in the coming years. I didn’t even know if I would ever walk again. I was broken. I was incomplete. I needed to find a way to adapt and accept my injury before these feelings consumed me. I needed to find motivation to learn to walk with a prosthetic leg. I needed help.
While struggling with fears of my future as an amputee, I met a fellow amputee named Steve who was a prosthetist. He showed me life with limb loss could be just as fulfilling as life before. His limb loss allowed him to show me immense empathy. He motivated me to succeed, and he inspired me to seek greatness. When the doctors said “You might not walk with a prosthesis alone,” he told me, “We will get you walking again.” He showed me that a job could be more than a paycheck. A job could be gratifying and rewarding while positively impacting countless lives. I became certified as a peer visitor through Amputee Coalition and realized I had a passion for helping other amputees. My passion directed me to pursue a career in prosthetics and orthotics.
I started college at the age of 32, and I was terrified of what the future would hold. I was hoping to get into the masters of prosthetics and orthotics program at Georgia Tech where I could be as close to my kids as possible. The problem was that this program only accepts 14 people a year. I knew that I would have to be an extraordinary student to get into the program. I became involved in student government and a leadership group called the President's Torch Society. When I wasn't studying or watching my kids, I volunteered in various community projects with these groups. I graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in Biology from Middle Georgia State University on May 11, 2017. College wasn't easy, but I never wavered in my dedication to chasing my dream.
I have been accepted into the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program at Georgia Tech, and I am very close to making my dream of becoming a prosthetist and helping other amputees come true. Any help that you could provide to help me pay for my school would be greatly appreciated. Tuition and fees will cost about $11,500 a semester and housing will cost about $1200 a month. I will also have to pay for health insurance. I will include a link to a few stories about me in a local paper and on TV. Anyone needing further information can contact me at [email redacted]. If you would rather donate in another manner, contact me by email.
Life can be unpredictable. At times, the random events of life can leave a person facing unforeseen adversities. I sometimes start out wishing my story was different. It would be great to say I have always been passionate about working in prosthetics and orthotics, but I can’t say that. In all honesty, I had never considered this field until 2010. Catastrophe guided me toward the MSPO program at Georgia Tech, but it also prepared me for the challenges I would face along the way. Looking back, the day I lost my leg was one of the greatest days of my life. It taught me how to overcome adversity, and it taught me how satisfying it can be too work hard to achieve goals. I promise that I will uses the skills I acquire to help enrich the lives of individuals facing an adversity similar to mine.
http://www.macon.com/news/local/education/article148669909.html
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/mgsu-amputee-student-becoming-a-prosthetist-1/438229792
http://www.macon.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/ed-grisamore/article30174480.html
Thank You
Brian J. White
While performing my routine duties on an April day in 2010, my right leg became entangled with an auger. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I was relentlessly drawn into the machine. Then the unthinkable happened. My right leg was gone. One second it was there, and the next it was gone. The machine had caused what I would come to know as a transfemoral amputation. I was extremely lucky to have survived the injury, but I didn’t feel fortunate in the beginning. I felt scared, alone, and confused. I was married and had a two-year-old son at home. I thought that I would never be able to chase my son around the yard again. I had no idea how I would provide for my family in the coming years. I didn’t even know if I would ever walk again. I was broken. I was incomplete. I needed to find a way to adapt and accept my injury before these feelings consumed me. I needed to find motivation to learn to walk with a prosthetic leg. I needed help.
While struggling with fears of my future as an amputee, I met a fellow amputee named Steve who was a prosthetist. He showed me life with limb loss could be just as fulfilling as life before. His limb loss allowed him to show me immense empathy. He motivated me to succeed, and he inspired me to seek greatness. When the doctors said “You might not walk with a prosthesis alone,” he told me, “We will get you walking again.” He showed me that a job could be more than a paycheck. A job could be gratifying and rewarding while positively impacting countless lives. I became certified as a peer visitor through Amputee Coalition and realized I had a passion for helping other amputees. My passion directed me to pursue a career in prosthetics and orthotics.
I started college at the age of 32, and I was terrified of what the future would hold. I was hoping to get into the masters of prosthetics and orthotics program at Georgia Tech where I could be as close to my kids as possible. The problem was that this program only accepts 14 people a year. I knew that I would have to be an extraordinary student to get into the program. I became involved in student government and a leadership group called the President's Torch Society. When I wasn't studying or watching my kids, I volunteered in various community projects with these groups. I graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in Biology from Middle Georgia State University on May 11, 2017. College wasn't easy, but I never wavered in my dedication to chasing my dream.
I have been accepted into the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program at Georgia Tech, and I am very close to making my dream of becoming a prosthetist and helping other amputees come true. Any help that you could provide to help me pay for my school would be greatly appreciated. Tuition and fees will cost about $11,500 a semester and housing will cost about $1200 a month. I will also have to pay for health insurance. I will include a link to a few stories about me in a local paper and on TV. Anyone needing further information can contact me at [email redacted]. If you would rather donate in another manner, contact me by email.
Life can be unpredictable. At times, the random events of life can leave a person facing unforeseen adversities. I sometimes start out wishing my story was different. It would be great to say I have always been passionate about working in prosthetics and orthotics, but I can’t say that. In all honesty, I had never considered this field until 2010. Catastrophe guided me toward the MSPO program at Georgia Tech, but it also prepared me for the challenges I would face along the way. Looking back, the day I lost my leg was one of the greatest days of my life. It taught me how to overcome adversity, and it taught me how satisfying it can be too work hard to achieve goals. I promise that I will uses the skills I acquire to help enrich the lives of individuals facing an adversity similar to mine.
http://www.macon.com/news/local/education/article148669909.html
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/mgsu-amputee-student-becoming-a-prosthetist-1/438229792
http://www.macon.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/ed-grisamore/article30174480.html
Thank You
Brian J. White
Organizer
Brian White
Organizer
Cadwell, GA
