In 2007, Boston Bill became an amputee after an infection spread through his foot. After his quick recovery, and determination not to let it get in between his lifelong passion for running, he became an inspiration to the amputee patients he visited, and all those he encounters. It is because of people like Boston Bill, and the incredible inspiration and perspective they grant me, that I am able to endure all.
Amputees Across America is an American journey of amputees, crossing the United States on bicycles to commemorate those individuals they meet along the way who have suffered an injury or sudden illness but have not lost hope and refuse to give up. Join Bill on his epic journey.
Jacob Bainter is a skinny, 10-year-old boy from Orlando, Fla., who plays basketball, rides a motor scooter, knee-boards and loves fishing for bluegill and bass. Two-and-a-half years ago, St. Petersburg resident, Boston Bill, and Jake randomly crossed paths, and since then, Bill and the Boy have become friends, inspiring each other and helping each other cope through the ups and downs of being amputees.
For most people, celebrating a birthday is marked with smiles, cards, cake and in the company of friends. For “Boston” Bill Hansbury – a nickname he got from being a native of Boston – one birthday claims a different spot in his memory. On Oct. 2, 2007 – Hansbury’s 70th birthday – his active lifestyle was threatened, but his hopes stayed intact as he underwent his right transtibial amputation. Following the amputation, Hansbury’s surgeon came back to him with startling news. He had to take the amputation higher because of the advanced infection. Hansbury’s only request: not to take his knee. “[The doctor] said ‘look you’ve got maybe 48 hours and you won’t be here,’” Hansbury said. “I said, ‘you’ve got to do what you got to do’. The surgeon heeded Hansbury’s only request and was able to rid his body of the infection while leaving his knee intact.
This story is about what happened on one remarkable day in St. Petersburg — Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, to be exact. It's about a chance encounter between a couple of Dickensian characters, a crusty one-legged man who lives in the city, and a sad-eyed little boy from Orlando. The amazing coincidence of their meeting changed their lives. When the broken man met the broken boy, they began a journey to become whole again. The crusty one-legged man is Bill Hansbury, though everybody calls him Boston Bill because his roots extend to Fenway Park. Pass the lobstah, please.
St. Petersburg Limb & Brace and Barr Prosthetics & Orthotics of Clearwater, Fla. is launching a new program for patients facing amputation or patients who have recently undergone amputation. The new program, A Step Ahead, coordinates resources to provide much-needed emotional and physical support, according to a press release. A primary objective of the program is to facilitate a seamless transition from inpatient to outpatient care. To achieve this goal, the program will offer free amputee advocacy services and in-home health services to assist the patient and his or her family in preparing for the amputation and adjusting to life afterward. The program will also assist those undergoing emergency amputations.
At his shop Lost In Time at the St. Pete Pier, Brian Evensen is surrounded by fossils and artifacts. It's a passion that started early.
"At seven I found my first arrow head and at nine my first shark tooth," he says. But in April while searching for shark teeth, something else sharp poked Evensen in the foot. He developed a severe infection and underwent a series of amputations. "After four amputations in a row, I was like waving the white flag-either shoot me or get me fixed." Evensen has spent 50 years digging up discoveries around the Tampa Bay area, but what really surprised him was the discovery he made about his health insurance.
A Bay area archaeologist will soon be able to return to his love of fossils, thanks to some help from a local cycling icon. Brian Evenson, the self-proclaimed "Fossil Man," has been digging up artifacts around the Bay area since he was 9 years old, but his passion for excavation came to a halt a few weeks ago when he cut his leg. "Within three days, I got an infection, and within a week and a half, it was past the point of saving my leg," Evenson said. Evenson, who once found the remains of an 18-foot ground sloth in Pinellas County, said he was terrified at the prospect of no longer being able to walk.
Brian Evensen was looking for fossilized shark's teeth in ancient woods near Bartow when everything changed. Evensen, 60, slipped and slid down a 25-foot mound in early April and cut a 2-inch gash in his left foot. The crusty amateur archaeologist didn't go see a doctor right away. His girlfriend cleaned the wound and Evensen went to bed. Within two weeks, his Type II diabetes made the injury much worse. First, antibiotics for redness. Then a podiatrist cut off Evensen's toes. Then the gangrene spread. At St. Petersburg General Hospital, Dr. Albert Li said the leg would need to be amputated below the knee.
A story that recently aired on ESPN featured a man from St. Petersburg that many call, Boston Bill. If you live in St. Petersburg, chances are you have probably seen Bill riding his bike or running. Even though he is over 70, he has no plans of slowing down. "I've run the Boston Marathon about 13-14 times, I've been in about 50 marathons," Bill Hansbury said. "Over the years, I've run thousands of road races from a 5k up to as far as 31, 32 miles."