My Story

I was born into a life of ranches, horses, and hard work. Growing up, my family lived in Montana, Kansas, and Colorado, and no matter where we were, the outdoors always felt like home. I often joke that I could ride a horse before I could walk—and honestly, it isn't far from the truth.

From an early age, I learned that a handshake meant something, your word mattered, and if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right. Those lessons still guide me every day.

When I was about 13 years old, doctors noticed something wasn't right. I had no reflexes, but like a stubborn cowboy, I wasn't about to let anyone see weakness. I pushed through it, adapted, and kept working. For years I did everything I could to live life on my own terms.

At 22, I was finally diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia (FA), a rare inherited neurological disease that affects balance, coordination, strength, and speech. The diagnosis came during one of the biggest moments of my life. My wife, Jen, and I had just learned we were expecting our first child, and at the same time she was losing her job. We suddenly had a name for what I was facing, but we also had a family to build.

So that's what we did.

Over the years, Jen and I were blessed with three amazing kids—Riata, Ty, and DJ. They've been one of my greatest motivations to keep moving forward, even when life hasn't gone according to plan.

Before FA changed what my body could do, I made my living through physical work. I mowed lawns commercially for years and never expected my career would someday revolve around computers and 3D printers. But life has a way of opening new doors when others begin to close.

In 2020, I bought my first 3D printer. What started as curiosity quickly became a passion for designing, creating, and solving problems. In October 2025, I officially started Cripple Prints.

People often ask about the name.

The truth is, humor and sarcasm have always been my favorite way of dealing with Friedreich's ataxia. "Cripple Prints" isn't about giving up or making fun of disability. It's about owning my story before anyone else can write it for me. If I can laugh, I can keep moving forward.

Today, Cripple Prints is about much more than selling 3D prints. It's about building products I'm proud to put my name on. It's about creating practical solutions, unique gifts, and items that make people smile. It's about showing the world that people with disabilities are capable of amazing things.

Most of all, it's about living by the values I learned growing up:

Quality matters more than making a quick buck.

I stand behind every product I make because my reputation means everything to me. If my name is on it, I want it to be something I'm proud of.

I also hope that by sharing my story, more people will learn about Friedreich's ataxia. It's a rare disease that most people have never heard of, but every conversation helps spread awareness and brings us one step closer to better treatments—and one day, a cure.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Whether you're here to order a custom print, browse my dinosaur collection, support a small business, or simply learn about FA, I'm grateful you're here.

Welcome to Cripple Prints—where mobility meets creativity, and where disability is never the end of the story.