Arise and
Walk

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United Methodist minister Tim Bolton never knows what might show up in the mail.

Natsound: “Even with duct tape on ‘em”

His garage is “repair central” for artificial limbs he fixes up to send to land mine victims in Third World countries.

Tim Bolton / “Operation Arise and Walk”: “This is a child’s foot that was donated. I think in my mind: ‘There’s some child somewhere that’s waiting for this box to be delivered.’”

There are thousands waiting.

Tim Bolton: “It’s not just giving them a leg; it’s giving them hope.”

Tim Bolton understands what it’s like to be without hope because he’s been there.

Tim Bolton: “I was in the Marines in the Philippines.”

In 1984, he was riding a motorcycle on patrol.

Tim Bolton: “And I was coming around a corner on a jungle road in the middle of nowhere. I was broadsided.”

The people who hit him took his wallet and his watch, and left him to bleed to death with a severed leg.

Eighteen months and 36 surgeries later, he was released from the hospital. He was depressed, addicted to pain medication and, before long, homeless.

Tim Bolton: “When I say I know the feeling of being hopeless, I do.”

He found hope at a homeless mission, where he met his future wife. He’s spent the years since helping others get back on their feet again.

“Operation Arise and Walk” began when he found two of his old limbs in his attic and knew someone, somewhere could use them. That was 60 limbs ago – and counting.

Tim Bolton: “If it can just be one, one person, then it was worth it all.”

I’m Kim Riemland reporting.

Arise and Walk – Tag

For more information on this program, visit the Web site for “Operation Arise and Walk.”