Former FDNY firefighter, amputee to climb 110 stories for charity

HICKSVILLE -- John Walters took the first of many steps Thursday in a long climb for charity, and he'll make that climb with the help of Erik Schaffer and his prosthetics team at A Step Ahead in Hicksville.

"For him to come in and for us to design a leg to help and assist him so he can be as efficient as possible, this is what we do," Schaffer said.

Walters' current prosthetic, Bluetooth-enabled and adjusted by computer, has served him well since he lost his right leg in 2006. At the time, he was a proud member of the FDNY's Elite Rescue 1, a deeply dedicated firefighter.

Then, a cab slammed into the back of the rescue truck, pinning his legs. One had to be amputated, while the other was severely damaged.

"They told me I wasn't going to walk again," he said. "They told would probably lose my left leg, which I did not. It's mangled, but it's there. They didn't know if I'd walk ever again, and now I'm going to climb 110 floors."

Now retired and and living in South Carolina, Walters is heavily involved with Sons of the Flag, a not-for-profit providing support for military personnel, first responders and burn survivors. He's been helped, and now he helps others.

Brotherhood, brotherhood gives you the strength," he said. "Your brothers are with you whether they're with you or not with you. They're always with you...and that's a strength, an inner strength that keeps you going."

Walters and many others in the brotherhood will be taking part in a September fund-raising event in Fort Worth called Climb for a Calling, an arduous 2,200 stair climb he will undertake. He's in town now to get refitted for the event.

"The fitting would be for the top part of my leg, so it's more comfortable to do the stair climb," he said.

And Schaffer is happy to oblige.

"Some lower trim lines, and a little more of an aggressive alignment for him," he said.

He began molding a new socket with a hard outer shell and new softer inner lining designed just for the climb. It is a two-day process with adjustments.

"Any type of hurdle you put in front of him, he wanted to overcome it," he said. "And evidently, he's climbing over it."

Walters' goal is not just to help raise money, but to keep taking the long climb and the important steps in life to continue helping many others.

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