Overcoming personal tragedy, inspiring others

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Upon seeing him, one would never suspect a difference between him and any other uniformed servicemember.

He stands tall, exhibiting a more-than-personable attitude and fervor for military professionalism.

However, there is more to this Airman than anyone would immediately suspect.

In May 2007, Master Sgt. Ronald Heller, 28th Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight superintendent, lost the lower half of one leg due to cardiovascular blood complications, but gained a renewed vigor for his outlook on life.

The Problem Arises

During a deployment to Guam in the first half of 2006, Sergeant Heller began to notice he was having odd sensations in his foot.

"I started noticing a tingle in my toes and wondered what was happening," Sergeant Heller said. "Once I got back (to Ellsworth) I went to get checked out, because I thought I might have gotten a piece of coral stuck in my foot while scuba diving."

At first, doctors were not able to pinpoint the problem, having taken X-rays, which brought no evidence of coral under Sergeant Heller's skin.

After a series of tests and procedures, specialists had discovered that the amount of blood platelets in the leg was five times higher than average. Due to this, the vessels in his leg and foot were clotting and producing severe pressure build up in his leg.

By the end of all of the testing, it was March of 2007 and doctors told Sergeant Heller he would have to lose his toes, but there was also the remote possibility of a leg amputation.

"Not knowing what was going to happen was very difficult," said Kari Heller, Sergeant Heller's fiancée at the time, now wife.

The day finally arrived for Sergeant Heller to have the operation on his toes. With the love and support of his wife and family Sergeant Heller was as prepared as one can be prior to a major surgery. Unfortunately complications arose during surgery that warranted the amputation of the leg, just below the knee.

I wasn't allowed to see family for about an hour afterward while the nurse explained what had happened during surgery, Sergeant Heller said. Once they were able to see me, my parents were there to console me after the shock.

The Recovery

"After the surgery, for me, (the hardest part) was wondering how Ron was going to overcome losing his leg," Mrs. Heller said. "I knew he was a very strong person, but you just never know how someone will react when they are faced with a life-changing event."

"I just told myself, 'I'll be able to walk; it's not going to slow me down,'" Sergeant Heller said. "I couldn't wait to get a leg and walk once more."

Two months after the surgery, Sergeant Heller was fitted for his prosthetic leg.

After attending only two physical therapy sessions, Sergeant Heller amazed doctors and family with how fast he was able to walk again.

"Ever since Ron got his prosthesis, he lets nothing get in his way," Mrs. Heller said. "He is determined to do everything he could do before he lost his limb, if not better. Even before this happened, he was my hero - now he is my superhero."

A self-proclaimed "gym rat," Sergeant Heller was used to pushing himself. He consistently scored in the high 80's to mid-90's on physical fitness testing prior to the surgery.

In his first post-surgery fitness test, Sergeant Heller scored a 78.

"I feel ahead of the power curve [as far as amputations go]," he said with pride. "I have made great progress with my prosthetic in only seven months, when it takes an average of a year for most people to come this far."

Becoming an Inspiration

Sergeant Heller finds strength from within to help him overcome adjusting to the loss of his limb, but says the support of those around him has served as great motivation as well.

"My co-workers and leadership have been phenomenal," he said. "Their support has been huge in my recovery. I realized that the Air Force is a big family. It has become an influence for how I act as a superintendent, and reinforced how I care for my people and our mission."

Those who have worked with him easily recognize the willpower of Sergeant Heller.

"Sergeant Heller cares about his Airmen, he faithfully supports his leaders, and he's a hard-nosed competitor who'll let nothing stand in his way," said Maj. Wiley Barnes, 28th Bomb Wing executive officer and Sergeant Heller's former intelligence flight commander. "It has been my privilege to serve alongside him. He sets an exceptional example and I'm a better leader because of him. I look forward to calling on Chief Master Sgt. Heller in a few years for advice."

During his recovery process, Sergeant Heller met a man who had been disabled in a car accident. This man became a source of his inspiration.

"He just had an overall positive attitude," Sergeant Heller said. "Spending time with him showed me the importance of having a positive attitude. You can't blame anyone or have a negative attitude. This was actually a second chance at life, and keeping that mindset helps not only you, but those around you."

Sergeant Heller reflects these ideals in his personal life as well.

"Ron has shown me and others that despite the challenges we face, we have the power of choice," Mrs. Heller said. "We can either grow from an experience to rise above it or we can become a victim of circumstance."

It is important to him to share his outlook and advice with those who find themselves with a disability.

"Make sure you don't hold it in - talk with people," Sergeant Heller said. "You may be embarrassed at first, but there is nothing to be embarrassed about. You just have to keep a light-hearted attitude about it."

To those who may know people with disabilities, he said, "One thing they don't want is sympathy. I'm the same person I was before and so are they."