February 23, 1953, Long Beach CA. My dad Mark Gamar was born with deformities and missing limbs. Was it German measles? Could it be he was one of the very first of thousands of babies that were born or killed from the infamous Thalidomide tragedy. Answers we will never have. No doubt he had a rough life having to overcome many of things that we all simply take for granted.

My name is Amanda, and this story is for my Dad. He was smart, whitty, kind, and despite all the challenges that came at him (and they never stopped) he never complained or asked for help. He loved to prove to people that no matter what hand (or lack of) your dealt make the best of it. When my daughter was learning to cook she asked grandpa how he cooked with no thumbs and short arms. As he showed her and she made it into a video at the time YouTube was the thing and that’s when the “no thumb challenge” went viral. Even some of the influencers she followed did their own version of the challenge. Take a look and see for yourself and then imagine 71 years of everything in life being so much more harder and bigger obstacles not to mention self esteem and things he never got a chance to do like the military to follow his dads foot steps as a two time war veteran as a jet fighter in the Air Force. I challenge you to just try writing your name down without using your thumbs. And that’s just one of the simple tasks we don’t even think twice about. From getting dressed with buttons, zippers, socks to even eating.

Despite how the judgmental world viewed his abnormalities he didn’t let that define who was is as a person. The stories he has told me over the years are things you only see in movies. Yet he was the most amazing guy and Pops to many. He would give you the shirt off his back and wouldn’t hesitate to give his last dollar or share his meal. He worked harder than anyone I know and never complained. Unable to get a burial life policy because no one would insure him. It’s has come time to say goodbye to my dad, my best friend the one who’s been there since day one with all my kids. I have to figure out how to pay for all his expenses on my own which if I was in a better place I wouldn’t be here asking for help (a good friend of mine is making me because I'm not one to ask for help) So With All of that said….If you have read this story I appreciate your time I know how valuable time is and I truly appreciate you giving me yours.

Amanda