A Survivor Inspires

Newtown High School Students 

By Larissa Lytwyn

Bob Mortimer has no left arm or legs.

But he does have a powerful personal philosophy: “Life’s only handicaps are the ones you put on yourselves.”

The Pacific Northwest native, founder of Mortimer Motivational Ministries, discussed topics ranging from self-esteem to substance abuse with students recently at Newtown High School.

“Young ladies, don’t get fooled into thinking your body has to be what you see on television or in magazines,” he said. “These [images] are manipulated for marketing and advertising purposes. It isn’t real. Just concentrate on being healthy and fit.”

Despite his challenges, Mr Mortimer has stayed fit, maintaining a well-developed torso, his middle-aged face remarkably unlined.

Mr Mortimer lost his limbs after he had walked away from a car crash, initially unharmed. He had emerged from the passenger side of a car crashed by his inebriated best friend, his brother.

The two had been driving the hour’s ride home from a night of alcohol and drug-fueled revelry. While making the plans at noon, Mr Mortimer recalled being invited to spend the night with his long-distance friends. At the time, he’d agreed.

But, he said, “The decisions you make at noon can turn out a lot differently from what you do at midnight.”

After the car crashed, perilously near a utility pole, a heavily intoxicated Mr Mortimer stumbled into the power lines.

Dangerously close to death, Mr Mortimer clung to life for weeks, eventually spending six months in a hospital burn unit before emerging far less physically capable than he had before the accident.

At first, he returned to the company of his drinking buddies.

“But I slowly learned that there are two kinds of friends,” Mr Mortimer said, “the kind that will bring you to dangerous places, and those that will help you out of them.”

Shortly thereafter, he made a new friend — now his wife. The two have three children together.

Mr Mortimer has also been sober for more than 15 years.

When he informed his high school audience of the feat, there was no response, no claps or cheers.

Mr Mortimer seemed to pause, waiting.

Finally, he said, “You know, usually when I say that I have been sober for over 15 years, I receive applause. This is very interesting.”

A ripple of applause immediately passed through the audience.

Mr Mortimer grinned. “No matter what you may think now, let me tell you, drinking and drugging is a downward spiral. It may move at different rates, but in the end, you always end up going down.”

He explained the importance of having a positive, “can-do” attitude.

“As I said before, the only handicaps you have are those that you put on yourself,” he said. “You cannot limit yourself.”

He took out a cap with the words “Handy” printed across it. “The only cap I have is this one,” he chuckled, drawing laughter from the crowd.

At one point, he played sang a song punctuated with a brief round on his harmonica. The song talked about the limits — and insights — having fewer limbs could have.

Always, his conversational style was interspersed with a touch of dry humor, a kind of “aw-shucks” homespun sensibility.

“I thought he was very inspiriting,” said Newtown High School student Katrina Kormanik. “He really seemed to know what he was talking about — he’s been there. It definitely made me think about what I do in my day-to-day life more.”

District Health Coordinator Judy Blanchard got in touch with Mr Mortimer through her contact with Mission Danbury, an antisubstance abuse agency.

“I’ve seen him speak at middle school and high school groups in the past,” she said. “I’ve always been impressed with the range of topics he discusses and the way he tailors his presentations to different age groups.”

In addition to speaking at schools, Mr Mortimer has shared his story with college students, church groups, and even prison inmates.

For more information about Mr Mortimer, visit www.bobmortimer.org.