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When David Thrasher, a personal trainer and part of Gladiator Fitness,

got the call telling him he was to be the recipient of the 2004 Award

of Distinction by the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), he was surprised,

to say the least.

"It was kind of a shock," said Thrasher, who had heard of

the ACA but had no idea who had nominated him for the award. It turns

out that a friend of his who is also a strength trainer for a group of

athletes competing in women's fitness nominated him for the award.

The award was for being an outstanding role model and Thrasher, an amputee

who lost his foot and ankle to cancer, has been a role model to not only

the people he works with but also to the people who travel in the same

circles.

Thrasher has been working in fitness and strength training for 20 years.

From 5-8 a.m., he works as a personal trainer for people who like to

get their workouts doen before work. He follows it up with his own personal

workout from 8-10 a.m. In the afternoons, Thrasher works with Operation

Fitness athletes, a traveling team that competes in bodybuilding and

fitness shows. The team has 16 wins and places this summer and has recently

competed in various states around the southeast.

At the ACA convention, Thrasher spoke about living with limb loss but

also about not shying away from doing things in public.

"I've had a prosthetic for about two years, but it has never

been a big deal," said Thrasher. "I see myself as a normal

person." Thrasher's main message when working with anyone is

to "have courage and make a committment." In addition to his

work with Operation Fitness, Thrasher has also worked with a patient

of the Shepherd Spinal Center.

Thrasher has been a Fayetteville resident for 12 years. he has been

married to his wife, Lucy for 20 years, and they have four children,

Lauren, 18, Lars, 17, David, 14 and Morgan, 6.

For more information, visit www.davidthrasher.com.