What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children? 
I’m a technician at the Frisco location. My job is to fabricate orthotic and prosthetic devices for the kids at Scottish Rite for Children in Frisco and to assist the practitioners with patient care.
 
What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
Fabrication of all orthotic and prosthetic goods. I also see patients when needed, keep up with stock and fill casts as needed.    
 
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
My first job was as a fry cook at Long Johns Silver’s. On July 19, 1982, I received a call from Jim Theland, and he asked me if I was still wanting a job at Scottish Rite for Children. I quit cooking for Long John Silver’s at 12:30 p.m. that day to start my life’s plan with Scottish Rite. I will have been with Scottish Rite for 39 years in February 2023.
 
How has your experience as a patient at Scottish Rite for Children influenced your career path?    
Being a patient here at Scottish Rite taught me a lot of things about life as an amputee and things to look out for in life. I had some of the most amazing doctors, nurses, therapists and staff growing up. They were a big reason and a huge influence on my career path in school, and a huge reason that I have been here for as long as I have been. So yes, the people and the organization can all take credit for who I am today.     
 
How do you think that experience allows you to connect with our patients and families?     
I am not sure. Sometimes it just gives them comfort and insight to something from the past, so they can reflect on the present, build for their future with whatever knowledge they can take from our conversations and know that someone cares about them enough to share my story with them.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
The sense of family, knowing that when you come to work every day there will always be someone that will say hi or give you a hug or a handshake to let you know and feel that sense of belonging. I’m proud to work for Scottish Rite because the kids I work for will almost always be the ones that say hi and tell you thank you.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know.
I used to work in Dallas, but I’m in Frisco now. However, I do come to Dallas when there is prosthetic work that needs to be done for a patient in Frisco.  

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
I haven’t really been anywhere outside of the USA. I guess when I retire, I might have time to see some new places.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Basketball, Nascar — thanks to Cory and Jake, soccer — thanks to Austin and his love for it, and Dallas Cowboys football. Baseball is my daughter’s way of getting me out of the house.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I’ll leave that one to be answered by all of you who read this. I’m sure you all will have different things that will pop into your head.