Nathan Woods' Dynamic Brace #KeepStanding

Hey my name is Nathan Woods and on September 8, 2019, I am going to do something I have never done and that is complete in a Sprint Triathlon.

But here is the problem...

I am unable to run and I haven't done so for any leisure or recreational purposes in over 15 years.

Here is the Back Story

In the fall of 2003, as a high school senior, I suffered an injury playing football that took me from being a three-sport athlete to nearly having an amputation of my left leg.

With one perfect hit, I ended up hyperextending my leg, rupturing my artery, and experiencing nerve damage. That trauma caused compartment syndrome, put me in a hospital bed for over 5 weeks and led to over 10 surgeries. Ultimately, I was left with a salvaged leg with very little function in my left foot.

But my story didn't end there.

As someone who believes that we are not defined by our circumstances, but instead, how we respond, I rehabbed as it was my new sport. I worked hard to get to a place physically that got me active and led to some awesome opportunities that I truly believe would not have happened otherwise.

For example, some of the amazing opportunities that I got to experience due to this injury are:
- I worked with the Oregon Duck Football team all through college.
- Speaking opportunities to share my story.
- Stand Up Paddleboard from Eugene, Oregon to Portland, Oregon.

And ultimately, I believe the path that God put me on post-injury is what led to the amazing life I have now with my wife, kids, and my career (Ironically - I have worked in a running-related career for over 8 years).

But then something happened...

Literally, at the 15-year mark of my injury, something changed and I began to suffer from incredible pain in the metatarsal area of my left foot. The pain was so severe that I couldn't even walk without assistance. When I finally got it checked out (which was a looooong process), we found that I had a neuropathic ulcer (don't google it ;), which is something I always feared due to complications that can arise from them like an amputation.

Which brings us to today and why I am coming to GoFundMe to ask my friends, family, and community for help.

I want to be active. To pursue athletic endeavors. To adventure. And most importantly—to be active with my kids. I want to be out of pain and I want to do things I have never done.

There is a device called a Dynamic Brace created by Cornerstone Prosthetics and Orthotics & Fabtech that is on the leading edge of custom hybrid Prothesis Orthosis devices.



This brace will not only offload foot and ankle pressure and limit my pain, but it is also manufactured to provide dynamic energy back into my gait and help me get back to some activities I haven't done since I was 18... Like Running.

I have been casted and approved by insurance to get this device, but our family's out-of-pocket expenses are sitting at over $6,000 between all of the costs of the device, doctor appointments, physical therapy, etc.

And while it is extremely hard and humbling to ask for help, I recognize I have such a supportive group of people around me who want to help. That is why we started this support page.

Truly, truly, thank you for attention and support. Cecilia and I are so blessed by your prayers and any kind of support you can provide.

Keep Standing
Nathan