Cumming Native, Amputee To Walk from Atlanta to Birmingham

A Cumming native who lost the lower portion of his left leg due to a neurological condition is planning a 120-mile walk to help other amputees.

Walking in Atlanta's Piedmont Park, Mark Sweatman suffered a broken foot, which led to painful and debilitating Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It could have spread to his entire leg, resulting in his amputation at age 38, reports CBS Atlanta.

Author of Amputated Yet Whole, How Adversity Made Me Complete, Sweatman says the word "amputated" has even more meaning as it relates to his story.

"Even though my neurological condition and having my leg amputated were both very difficult and very painful, the mental, emotional and spiritual amputations I’ve experienced have been far worse," he wrote on his website. "Within a relatively short period of time, aside from losing my leg, I was also disowned by my parents because of my sexuality, survived a horrific break up of a mentally and emotionally abusive relationship, lost my job and lost my savings, all while struggling to complete my doctorate.

"Such 'amputations' almost cost me my life to suicide, but in the end I used these adversities to improve my life instead."

And now he hopes to help improve the lives of other amputees.

Sweatman now is training to walk from Atlanta to Birmingham to raise money for Limbs for Life, a worldwide nonprofit organization that provides prostheses to amputees who can't afford them.

"I feel it’s my duty to give back to others because I myself have been so blessed," Sweatman said on his site. "Prosthetic care is very expensive, and many people go without these vital elements of mobility and independence because they are unable to afford them."

His walk is set for Nov. 7 to 17, mainly on the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails and the streets of Atlanta and Birmingham, and Sweatman is inviting supporters to join him. He's also accepting monetary donations in support of his efforts.

To give, visit Donate to the Amputated Yet Whole walk for Limbs for Life.

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