Abel Cruz is a 59 year old amputee of Albuquerque, NM who lost his leg in an incident that took place on Aug. 18, 2005. A retired US Navy veteran, while traveling by motorcycle to visit former U.S. Navy friends in Mississippi his life changed instantly. A tractor-trailer being towed in the opposite direction lost a wheel that struck Abel off of his motorcycle crushing his left leg, fracturing several bones.  The crushed leg could not be saved and Abel became an above-knee amputee. After a month of surgery and treatments in a Louisiana hospital, Abel came back to New Mexico to be cared for by his family. His wife Jerri, who works in the medical field, steered Abel in the direction of choosing HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Albuquerque for his rehabilitation, because she believed it was the best place for him. At HealthSouth, Abel’s therapy included exercises that strengthened his body so that he could get around on a walker, crutches or prosthetic leg. During his stay, Abel was presented with a challenge. Determined to participate in the Amputees Across America (AAA) ride-in ceremony at HealthSouth, he trained for a month with the encouragement of his occupational therapist, Tiffany, and the help of his son Eric. Abel accomplished the ride-in that day. In fact, AAA recruited him to join the tour, and he completed the entire cross-country trip in 2007.  He became an AAA team leader and organizer in 2008 and has been on every ride since. Abel is an inspiration to many people everyday and when asked if he could change the outcome of his incident if possible, he replies, “My amputation has made me who I am today. It has shown me that I can survive, it has shown me my strengths and that I can live life to the fullest. Just because my life is different now doesn’t mean that it can’t be better.”  Abel’s testimony of determination proves, people with disabilities can continue living the life they had before becoming disabled with the individualized rehabilitative care and willpower to overcome obstacles along the way.