On December 6, 1960, Bud was enjoying a well deserved winter holiday break from air-force duty. He was traveling in a car during a terrible sleet storm when he skidded off the road and over an embankment.

In those years seatbelts were not mandatory and some cars were not even equipped with them. When first responders yelled out to him asking if he was okay and he said, "Yes I think I am okay but my legs are numb." Bud would soon learn that he had suffered a T3 injury depriving him of the use of his legs along with other consequences that were mostly invisible to others.

After surgery in Greenville, Bud was sent to Walter Reed Medical Center. During his time there Bud told his family about the men on either side of him that had injuries much more severe than the one he had suffered.

He explained that they needed to use straws to ring a nurse or to get a drink of water. After witnessing their struggle, he said, "I'll never complain again. I have the use of my arms". Bud was just 21 years of age at the time of his injury. Doctors told him that due to his injury they expected he would live possibly for another 10 years, but to their surprise, Bud lived a very active life for almost 48 years after the injury. His family reports that he was brilliant, keeping up with current events, politics, NASCAR racing, the stock market and was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans Association. He was so active that he surprised everyone by riding on a motorcycle cart for enjoyment.

Bud did face many of the same challenges others do in living with a spinal cord injury. He had several major surgeries and medical treatments to repair tissue damaged from pressure sores, suffered cancerous polyps, and a heart condition.

On several occasions, doctors prepared his family for the likelihood of him not making it through surgery. To the amazement to everyone around him he persevered and kept his word to never pity himself.  

At the time of his injury, the likelihood of someone living almost 50 years with a spinal cord injury was considered to be extremely slim. His sisters, Myrtle Robbins and Wanda Woodard attribute his longevity to his active lifestyle and his optimistic disposition.

They explained that everyone became attached to Bud because they couldn't believe his positive outlook and how active he remained in spite of the obvious challenges he faced. Bud took time to work on his investments and according to his family, he always wanted to make a bequest to a spinal cord research facility upon his death.

At the time of Christopher Reeve's accident, Bud said, "They'll do something for spinal cord injured people now and if I can't walk again, I want somebody else to", a true testament to his kindness and optimism.

UC Irvine’s Reeve-Irvine Research Center is touched by the generosity of this kindhearted man whose strength and character are an example to us all. We would like to make a special note of thanks to Bud for his gift to support our research efforts and to Wanda Woodland and Myrtle Robbins for sharing the story of their brother's life.

Please consider including Reeve-Irvine in your estate plans. Your planned gift can help create tomorrow's cures.

For information please contact:

Tania Cusack, Director of Community Development

(949) 824-5925 or email tcusack@uci.edu