Christian group offers amputees support

By Donathan Prater

Published: February 15, 2008

To make this team, there aren’t any tryouts held and every roster member gets inked to a long-term contract.

The C.A.S.T. Ministries (Christian Amputee Support Group) is a non-profit support group for amputees and their families that officially incorporated in November 2006.

Next month, C.A.S.T. Ministries will hold its first ceremony, which will address the topic of amputations that resulted from medical and health-related illness or diseases.

Woody Thornton, 39, is one of C.A.S.T.’s trainers.

Thornton is also a double amputee.

Thornton was involved in an accident involving a train in 1989 that cost him both his feet.

A few years ago, Thornton had a series of revision surgeries on his legs.

While the married father of six - four girls, two boys - leads a very fulfilling and active life now, he knows firsthand the fear and uncertainty of what a life-changing event like an amputation can entail.

“In my experience, most people who suffer an amputation know very little about what to expect or what can be done to help them,” Thornton said.

But through a combination of spiritual faith and family support, Thornton hopes that C.A.S.T. can change that.

One of the services that C.A.S.T. offers amputees are personal visits from C.A.S.T. trainers. They assist with everything from praying with recent amputees to offering friendship and and an ear to listen.

“With our visits, we hope to come alongside these individuals and their families and offer them support based on God’s word,” Thornton said. “In the process, we hope to create friendships that will last.”

C.A.S.T. will welcome guest speaker Becky Guinn, a Chambers County native who lost both her arms and legs due to an adverse reaction to medication she received in the hospital in 2002.

Since that time Guinn has returned to her job as an art instructor and is currently in her 11th year of of teaching at Valley High School in Lanett.

It’s stories of courage and perseverance like Guinn’s that Thornton says personify what the C.A.S.T. is all about.

“Our motto ‘Life defined ... Not Confined’ is derived from 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10,” Thornton said. “Those verses tell us that if we must boast, let us boast about our weaknesses.”

“It took me a while to figure out that sharing my story could actually strengthen others,” Thornton added. “People recognize me or know who I am by my legs, but through Christ I am empowered through this weakness instead of being confined by limitations.”

If you go:

What: C.A.S.T. Ministries ceremony

When: Saturday, March 1, 2008 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: The Magnolia Dining Room at Oak Park
1365 Gatewood Dr., Auburn

For more information, contact 334-332-8411.