Christian living 1 2 2015

live or die

By Ronald Kern

Just a number of weeks ago, Dorian Willes stared headfirst down a 1,475-meter track with less than eight inches and a thin steel sled separating his body from the track and the 100 mileper-hour ride that would take him to the finish line. This took place after nine minutes of training under his belt. He earned second place in the North America Cup competition in Calgary. Now, this January, Dorian is hoping to qualify for the United States’ first-ever Olympic adaptive skeleton team during qualifying rounds in Austria.

If that wasn’t enough, he recently competed in his first fitness competition, where he earned fifth place in his division and took home “The Most Inspirational Athlete” award. Although he was a heavily recruited soccer player during high school and college, sports at this intense level is new to him.

At first glance it’s obvious he is in outstanding shape. He’s tall, muscles clearly visible under his clothes, and possesses a commanding presence. He is so happily married that when I sat down with him and his wife Billy, I thought I was back in high school or on hidden camera, they were so giddy, giggly, and in love.

There is one visible difference: he has a prosthetic right leg. However, if he removed his shirt you would be able to see small scars all over his body, literally from head to toe. The scars tell the story of a difficult past, one that most people would never imagine nor live through, and the scars are more than physical.

Experimenting with marijuana and alcohol at the age of 12, his drug use escalated over the next decade and included cocaine, meth, and everything in-between. At the age of 26 he was a very successful business owner, had all of the “toys,” and lived in a very nice home. He felt he was a very “functional” drug addict, even though substances, and abusing them, had been prevalent from the start.

“Within six months I lost everything due to drugs. I went from having it all: PTA, soccer coach, and successful, to living out of my truck. I started stealing, then dealing, and then became an enforcer,” Dorian said.

On the streets it’s called a collector, which means he took whatever means necessary to get what was owed. He was very good at it too, in a place where violence, strength, and brutality reign.

This eventually led to a life-changing event that took place on June 5, 2008, in Boise. This is a very lengthy story, but I’m only going to give you a surface overview of it. His story, complete and detailed from beginning to end, will be available in his upcoming book, slated for release late 2015.

On that June day, Dorian found himself in an apartment with police in all directions trying to capture him. He hid under a floorboard in the basement. Two officers finally located him, and as Dorian stood up and surrendered, the first gunshot sounded. Then another, another, and another. In total, Dorian was shot 21 times, bullets riddling his chest, back, arm, and leg.

Dorian said he was then dragged up the concrete stairs by his feet, as his head crashed into each step.

Dorian said he had picked up a soldering gun during the chaos, but he never had a weapon and never claimed to have one.

He remained in a coma for three months and in the hospital a total of nine months. He had to relearn how to do many basic things, but the most difficult part for him, he said, was “…going in at 225 pounds and coming out at 130 pounds soaking wet.” I found this a bit comical considering all the traumatic injuries he suffered: loss of his right leg below the knee, limited use of his left arm and hand, and being blinded in one eye.

The physical scars will always remain, but the more poignant story is yet to come. Let’s take a look on The Brighter Side, and what he’s doing now.

“Whatever your past has been, just remember that your future is spotless.”

Dorian has not only turned his life around; he’s completely reshaped it and is now inspiring others. He is clean, sober, madly in love, a college graduate, helping other amputees, qualifying for the Olympics, and doing many other things that most just dream about. He is making a difference. He is leading by example. He is someone that allows his actions to speak for him. He is generous with his time and gives back to the community. With everything that has happened, Dorian said, “The biggest thing that happened to me over the last three years is my wife. She’s my everything and I wouldn’t be here without her.”

You might see him running half-marathons, speaking at schools about the dangers of drugs, being a volunteer for The Idaho Meth Project, or making his family his number one priority. He is also president of Lim359, an organization that provides opportunities for people with limb loss and limb difference.

Dorian could complain, quit, give up, use his physical issues as an excuse, and just be angry with the world. Instead, he fights every day, fights for and strives daily to help others. He is a wonderful father, an attentive husband, and an incredible athlete. He has achieved many goals, one of which is “being a force to be reckoned with, but in a positive way,” he said.

In speaking with him I sensed a deep connection, the kind that only comes when I speak with someone of character, integrity, determination, passion and, most importantly, genuineness. I do understand he was not the nicest guy while on drugs, and his past includes great darkness. However, I feel now he is a beaming light of positive energy, motivating others. What he has accomplished is incredible, all things considered.

Dorian expressed that through it all, God clearly had a plan for him. In my research, I couldn’t find anyone, or another article, where someone had received more than 21 gunshots and lived to tell about it. Dorian and Billy clearly know that God has a hand in all that has transpired, a reason he lived, a reason he is doing all good and positive things now, and both are living testimonies of what He can do. In speaking about their relationship Billy said, “God aligned the stars at the right place at the right time, perfectly.”

I feel so lucky to have met him and consider him a close friend. He is a perfect example of not letting your circumstances dictate your happiness and proof that no matter what your past, you do have full control over your future. The choice is yours to make.

Dorian’s immediate goal is to raise funds for his trip to Austria for the Paralympic World Cup. If you can help him with travel costs, please visit giveforward.com and search his name to help. If you are interested in sponsoring him, please contact him personally at his email address, dorianwilles1@gmail.com. Dorian’s website, coming soon, will be dorianwilles.com.