grateful to be walking and determined to use this gift for the good of his students.

The Longer Version: 
I was raised on/near Army Bases  - My father was a career soldier.  I joined the Army.  Having a lifer dad, I was combat-arms oriented.   Having a talent for foreign languages and higher math, I was recruited for MI duty.  Strangeness ensued, and I ended up in the 10th SFG(A) and also served in the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Groups at different times.  I served in the US and overseas, particularly in S/SW Asia, N Africa and in Europe.  I had a minor position of leadership.  I wasn't a great leader.  I did the job OK; nobody got killed on my watch.  I really liked the guys, and we had a good time together, but I didn't particularly enjoy the responsibility.

Strike that - I HATED the responsibility. 

I got married in the Army, we're still together after all these years, which constantly amazes me.  Three kids, mutliple rabbits and now, five cats.

I got hurt in the 1st Gulf War.  Not a hero or anything. I tried to 'suck it up and drive on,' instead of getting it taken care of and made things much worse.  It got to the point where I had a could not walk on my own and need braces on legs and back as well as crutches.  I was incapable of walking on my own and I even needed help getting dressed.  I was a mess.  

I finished VA driver's rehab, (learning how to drive w/ hand controls), and I got a car retrofitted for me.  ((OK, so it looks like a great big silver toaster - I do not care ;P  I'm rather proud to be driving again, after over a year as cargo, I am again a driver.))

I  got out of the Army.  I had a family to support.  Fortunately, I had my degree.  I became a Math teacher.  During my teacher training, I noticed that I had an affinity for the kids with 'Special Needs.'  I became a special educator, and I've never regretted it.

As strange as it sounds, being disabled is almost an advantage for a Special Educator.  Some of my peers tell them that disabilities don't have to stop you from achieving your goals.  I prove it when I get up and down a set of stairs or break up a fight or move a class during a fire drill.  I often tell my students that a Disability is what happened to you, but Handicapped is what you make of it.  When they see the man who could not walk moving around on his own, it gives me the ability to say 'you can overcome your disability' - and mean it.

I completed my Administrator I certification, which means I am qualified for a position as an assistant principal.  Even if I don't ever get a position, I think the knowledge I got in the program will make ((has made))me a better teacher.  I was appointed as an assistant administrate (aka - vice principal) of an Alternative Evening HS.  It's a challenge, but one I enjoy very much.

My Mom was a Pure Land Buddhist, and I was raised that way.  My Dad really didn't believe in much spiritually, but he believed in honor and dignity - he was a good man.

During my time in the Army, there was not a lot of time for Buddhist practice, and few services/chaplains available.  My wife was a Christian, so I gave that a try.  It didn't work for me, so I was basically a church-attending 'unchurched' person for a long time.   

After I got out of the Army, I had sort of a personal 'crisis of faith.'  I started seeking answers.  I returned to Buddhism.  Looking for a Sangha, I met an American Monk.  I joined a Tibetan Order, and I recently completed my vows as fully ordained Ngakpa.

I've always wanted to study the Buddhist texts in great depth, and I was recently accepted into a MA program for Buddhist studies.  It is a HUGE amount of work, but it is worth it.  It helps my practice.  Due to events overseas, the university where I was enrolled is temporarily closed.  It is expected to reopen soon, but for now, I am on an  'academic hiatus.'  I am not worried.  I am continuing my studies independently, following the curriculum while waiting for the government to re-open the school.

I am now making a serious attempt at getting healthy again.  I was confronted by the fact that I was committing 'suicide by junk food,' and that I would be no good to anybody dead.  I am now on a mission to get healthy again.  I am practicing a form of yoga called YRG, and I really love it.  In 1 year, without dieting, I have lost 150(+) pounds and I am rediscovering balance, stability, flexibility, and endurance that I thought I had lost forever!!

I AM WALKING AGAIN

At the suggestion of Diamond Dallas Page (aka DDP, my Yoga Teacher {read the blog - It makes a strange kind of sense}) - I recently finished the 200 hour RYT program. 

I am a yoga teacher.          wow
I am also certified to teach YRG - Bigger WOW

I will soon be a Starting a RYT 500 hr program.  I am very happy and excited about this.

Sangey Dorje is the name given me by HH Penam Rinpoche of the Jonang Order.  I received it in an empowerment many years ago.  I am Kagyu, but I treasure the empowerment very much and I am very thankful for the opportunity of having met this enlightened being.

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to receive teachings from some truly great teachers.  If I have realized anything, it is because of them.  Any mistakes I make, however, are mine.
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I guess that's it.  Nothing special.  I'm glad of that.  I don't want that responsibility.  I am not a world-famous anything, no longer the leader of anything, or possessed of any great realization or wisdom.  I'm just trying to get through this life with as little fuss and mess as possible, and maybe do some good while I'm here.