FORMER SAILOR’S DISABILITY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28894, 14 May 1959, Page 10

FORMER SAILOR’S DISABILITY

Legless Man Still * Dances “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, May 13. A legless former sailor, Mr R. G. Sheppard, living in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier, has mastered his artificial limbs so well that he is able to dance with his wife, drive a car, use a motor-mower, and go for long walks. Mr Sheppard laughingly deprecates his ability on the ballroom floor. “I’m no Fred Astaire,” he says. “But I can manage a slow foxtrot.” Mr Sheppard, who is 37, went to the war in 1940 as a seaman. He lost his legs as a result of frostbite suffered while serving in convoys to Russia. As well as the activities out lined, he can spend a whole day on his artificial feet at the races and does a strenuous daily session of physical exercises, including a dozen or so “press-ups.” His friends compare him with Group Captain Douglas Bader About the only thing he does not do that the famous legless airman doos is to play golf. This is not because the prospect dismays him but because, he says, he has neither the money nor the inclination to take up the game. “I could walk around a golf course.” he says. “All I would have to learn would be to swing a club.” Exercise, Mr Sheppard says, is what keeps him “on his feet.” His friends disagree with him. “Not exercise.” they say, “fighting spirit.” "Removes Legs” There are some things Mr Sheppard cannot do without difficulty —polishing the floor for his wife, for instance, or repairing the motor-mower. On these occasions he removes his artificial legs and hops about on his hands. One thing Mr Sheppard is afraid of: another onslaught of gangrene, this time in his right arm, which was also frostbitten during the war. “If I do any heavy work, the arm aches.” he says. “I’m careful not to break the skin.” Mr Sheppard belongs to the Auckland branch of the War Amputees’ Association, which has several other members who have had both legs removed The car he owns has the Ross (hand) control. “I can drive a normal car.” he says, “but there is always the risk that my foot might slip off the brake or clutch.”