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TRANSFORMATIONAL PEOPLE A life well served Before the ADA, there was Russell Heriford. Here's why his story matters Russell W. Heriford of Claremore, Okla. served in World War II as a paratrooper, discovering a love for airplanes. From then on, he knew he wanted to fly; but during his service, he was shot in the spine and became a paraplegic. When he returned home at the age 25, doctors told him it was unlikely he would survive very long due to his injury. But Heriford didn't listen. He continued to live another 50 years, accomplishing every goal he ever set, including becoming the first paraplegic to get a pilot's license. In a time before the Americans with Dis- abilities Act and accessible design, Heriford was determined to experience his life to the fullest. He patented the first standing support for paraplegics in 1960, an adjustable, collaps- ible device that would enable a paraplegic of any height to "maintain an upright standing position and to propel himself under his own power from one place to another." In addition to this groundbreaking in- vention, Heriford also ran a farm in Niangua, Mo., which he made completely accessible. He modified his cars with a hand control made from PVC pipe so he could continue to drive. He was an inventor, a preacher, a veter- an, a pilot, and a beloved husband, father and grandfather. In 2000, Heriford passed away at 75 years old, but his legacy lives on. Special thanks to Miranda Fairchild of Tulsa, Okla. for allowing us to share her grandfather's inspiring story. COMMERCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS JULY/AUGUST 2016 ISSUE 3 MCINTOSHTRANSFORMS.COM 128