‘Iron Man’ Amputee, 68, to Walk Across USA

Roy Dye, Horn Lake, Mississippi, a.k.a. "Iron Man Walking," is planning to walk across the United States from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Diego, California, on his prosthetic leg. Dye, age 68, hopes to inspire others to join his cross-country effort in a movement toward improved health; and if successful, he plans to use the Iron Man Walking Marathon to establish a charitable trust or foundation for the America Cancer Society. His walk is set to begin January 5. An online journal of Dye's progress will be available at www.oandp.com

Dye, who is the father of three daughters and a son, who was killed in a heavy equipment accident, lost his first wife to breast cancer. He suffered other losses of loved ones, and for four years, watched his own health and quality of life decline. Then he decided to do something about it. His weight had climbed to almost 300 lb., but he's lost 75 lb. and quit smoking and drinking, and he started to walk.

Drinkables Sponsors Dye

Drinkables® Liquid Nutritional Supplements, Fort Worth, Texas, is sponsoring Dye's epic walk. According to William Steele IV, president of Remington Health Products, the maker of Drinkables, the company will be the exclusive supplement company sponsoring Dye, who lost his leg to gangrene after receiving a gunshot wound while serving in the military.

"Nothing should inspire you more than to see a man nearly 70 years of age with one leg, donning a prosthesis each morning and walking across the good 'ol USA," said Dye. "Whether you're out of condition, overweight, underweight, an amputee, disabled in various other ways, or simply believe you cannot complete certain tasks, I intend to prove to the world that you have the power to achieve your goals regardless of your present condition...as long as you believe you can."

When Steele heard about Iron Man Walking, he contacted Dye to ask him if he could help Dye complete his walk by providing the supplements his body will require. Medical studies suggest that Dye will be risking "serious joint problems" during his nearly 3,000-mile quest.

"It's absolutely critical that Iron Man Walking maintains his health and protects his joints," said Steele. "The pressure on his joints, given his daily regimen, is tremendous. Our Joint Care product is the perfect product for Roy.

"We are delighted to be associated with Iron Man Walking," Steele continued. "What he has set out to do is clearly one of the more remarkable things I've ever seen. To make a sacrifice such as this to help himself and others is quite admirable indeed. We are honored to supply him with the nutrients and joint care products he will need to help him complete his historic journey."

On his website, Dye credits Roland Turner, CP, of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee, with being the inspiration for the Iron Man Walking expedition. "Over four years ago I visited Roland at the Memphis VA Medical Center," says Dye. "The prosthesis I was wearing was over 15 years old and more than ready for the trash bin. I asked Roland jokingly [that] if we could get a decent prosthesis fabricated, did he think I would be able to walk across America? He said, 'Yes, I do,' then added, 'If you think you can, you can.' Looking over his shoulder, there was a picture of an amputee running up a set of stairs with the Vince Lombardi quote 'The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, nor a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will...' That's when the Iron Man Walking Marathon Expedition was born. 'I think I can.'"

Componentry, Equipment

Along with Turner and other VA healthcare professionals, the staffat Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Memphis, have helped keep Dye up and walking. For his 2,500-mile journey, Dye will be using about three prostheses. The prostheses include the Otto Bock Harmony® HD vacuum-assisted socket system and various liners for differing conditions. The liners include the Otto Bock Simplicity®, Ossur's Iceross® Sport liner, and Ohio Willow Wood's Alpha®.

Dye needs to haul some supplies with him. It was ingeniously decided to convert a new Runabout TM baby stroller by Berg Design to Iron Man Walking street use. Hanger helped fabricate a shoulder harness that allows the cart to be pushed or pulled for hauling all the necessary gear and camping equipment. Now Dye can push or pull up to 150 lb.

For more information on Dye or to contribute to his efforts, visit www.ironmanwalking.com

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