No Arms, No Legs, No Problem: When life happens, you can wish to die or choose to live

OTHERS WOULD QUIT. HE KEPT GOING.

Bob Lujano captured the nation’s attention in 1979 because of his mind blowing response to tragedy. For seventeen years, the headlines sounded the same no matter the year or the paper: “…achieves goals despite disability…middle name is courage…gutsy kid beats odds…” Now for the first time, Bob chronicles his unbelievable journey from choosing life as a quad amputee, to winning a bronze medal at the Paralympics, co-starring in Murderball, and living a life full of gratitude and hope.

By age nine, Bob had already seen the ugly side of life. His mom abandoned them, his dad ruled with a belt, and his grandfather controlled with a fist. As if that wasn’t enough, he then contracted a nearly fatal form of meningitis that called for the removal of all four limbs and visits to the burn unit. While in a coma, a mysterious visitor gave him the choice to live—without the life he had planned—or die.

BOB LUJANO is a bronze-medal Paralympian in quad rugby, a Sport Laureus Ambassador, and the current President of the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA). He continues his work at the National Center for Health, Physical Ability and Disability (NCPHAD) through the Lakeshore Foundation and is an international speaker for health, fitness, and independence. He resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

TARA SCHIRO authored numerous profile articles for Elite Magazine and blogs at TaraSchiro.com. She resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband and kids.