A hallmark of WW members is their willingness to persevere through pain or obstruction to keep trooping and carry on the mission of the Legion. Spreading smiles and bringing joy is something they deliver without complaint. And while we must all accommodate our limitations, it never stops us. Here are some of our stories.
Jennifer Madden Catania
I joined this group after dealing with chronic migraines, multiple sleep disorders, and chronic neck and back pain. I manage my migraines through diet, and haven’t had one in fifteen months, but I always have to plan my trooping around my medical issues. It doesn’t usually impact me because I know my limits.
I have to be careful about my troops, factoring how long my energy will hold out. But during my recovery, troops have been the place where I’ve been able to forget about everything and just enjoy Star Wars.
Even knowing how much less I’d be able to do at Celebration, I was adamant that I was still going. Kelly encouraged me to reach out to ADA services, and that made such a huge difference. There were so many points where my brain was about to melt down and those accommodations saved me.
I entered the costume contest, even though I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle it. And knowing full well that even if I made it through the contest, I’d pay for it with plenty of symptoms in the following days. But I actually won my category! And my symptoms cooperated until Sunday and Monday evenings… and Tuesday… (and the rest of that week) to stop working.
I guess all I wanted to say was that through all of this, I was thinking of this amazing group of fighters, and how proud I am to troop with you.
John Penman
Family expo. TK 22421 spending a few hours with kids. My neck and back pain. Doesn’t feel so bad with I’m trooping. 2019 Magic wheelchair 2019 escorting a young boy who was just given his new Kylo Ren ship and costume. Kid Fest 2019 heavy Weapons Trooper making some young Star Wars fans happy
Tony Archuleta
Love what we do…..This wasn’t my first troop, but my first one after spending a month and a half in the hospital after a serious motorcycle accident. At the time this was taken there was still a possibility of having a BTK amputation. After 18 surgeries…and some rehab. and 2 and a half yrs after the accident…looks like i get to keep it.
Cookie Gheysens
I had my first breast cancer 6 years ago (had to create a flesh colored version of my Twi’lek, for attending CV with the Jabba crew, as my skin reacted badly to paint after my chemo). My cancer relapsed last November, and I just finished my last bout of chemo last Thursday, (after having a mastectomy in December). Keep fighting, guys!!!
Jói Skallinn Waage
From my first ever troop, only about half a year after my ruptured brain hemorhage happened….really really fatigued (left); My second troop…a very fatigued Gunner at Midgard Con in Iceland 2018 (right)
Roy Gamsd
Roy with his service dog, who troops with him to help with his PTSD.
John Penman
I suffer from chronic neck and back pain. There isn’t a time that I’m not in pain. The most I can hope for is being uncomfortable. I also suffer from Tinnitus. Both are left over from my time in the fire department. I have IBS and that makes trooping a bit of a challenge but I have found that I don’t feel the pain or hear the ringing in my ears when I Troop. I’m a member of Cloud City Garrison in Portland Oregon. I’m TK 22421 and have been trooping and coming up on my first anniversary of being a proud member of the 501st.
Matty Darling
I have a disability called cerebral palsy. It effects how I walk and write. I grew up watching and loving Star Wars. About 5 years ago my sister asked my dad if he would make a Biker Scout with her. That’s what started my wanting to be a part of it. I picked Boushh because I have always thought that it was a unique costume, so we started to create the dream and I have never regretted it. We had to alter my boushh to make it so I could put most of it on by myself, also we made the staff so I could use it as support to walk around with my walker which is color schemed after my helmet with all the kill strips on the correct sides as well. My dad created a Chewie to troop with me in, also to keep an eye on me and help me when I need it
The heat, the weight, or the confused looks: they make me feel strong and proud, honestly. I also have a Jawa as a second costume. My absolute favorite part of doing it all is the smiles I bring to everyone and spending time with my family.
Rikki Teml
Not all disabilities are visible and for me this certainly is the case. In 2011 Christmas Holidays I thought I was having a heart attack due to pains in my chest and stomach. They told me there was nothing wrong and I was fine.
I carried on to have pains in my chest, shoulders and general fatigue. After 6 months of hospital visits and various tests I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, this leaves me in pain almost daily with a high amount of drugs taken. But most people have no idea as I just get on with it. I thought this would be the hardest thing I would battle but I was wrong.
In 2017 after spending a fun day with my wife on the way back to the car a man jumped off the top of the car park landing head first in front of us. I won’t go into details on what happened but sadly he died. Over the coming months my life started to fall apart, I kept reliving that day with loud noises causing panic and flash backs.
I often went to work training courses about mental health and felt I understood how hard it must be for people but I never truly knew how it can impact people having never suffered myself. I also felt mental health issues were something that would never happen to me.
I was wrong, I was eventually diagnosed with severe PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Following months of psychological treatment I was also diagnosed with anxiety, I came to realise it has been something that I had my whole life battling it without even realising!
Yes I am not prefect and I have bad days, I will never be cured but I have the tools to fight it. I have though shared my experiences with a number of public speaking opportunities at industry conferences linked to my work, educating others on mental health and the importance of reducing stigma.
But I don’t let my mental health battles or Fibromyalgia stop me. Along with other hobbies and volunteering work I am also a member of the 501st and Rebel Legion.
I joined The Uk Garrison at the end of 2015 and Rebel legion in 2017. I have attended 83 official 501st troops and 7 Rebel Legion to date.
I am part of the Events Team for the UK Garrison working with clients to deliver over 25 troops a year to my region including key relationships with Bristol Children’s Hospital.
I am also a 501st Detachment Costume Advisor for the Imperial Gunnery Corp.
The highlight of my trooping career was winning the 501st trooper of the month in April 2018 for my work with the hospital and arranging a bucket list troop for a special boy who is sadly no longer with us.
Sven Van Heerden and Jóhann Waage
Two walking wounded members, TR 96652 Sven van Heerden and IG 14323 Jóhann Waage (in his Snowtrooper Commander), spent three days together with their outpost at the symphony orchestra showing of A New Hope in Iceland entertaining the audience. We both had some trouble with overheating due to the effort and pain involved standing and walking for that long, and nearly passed out, but managed to pull through and troop the entire 3 days. The happy children’s faces and excited audience members made it all worth it.
Sven: I had a car accident in 2001 where my leg was shot through my hip shattering it. The hospital didn’t properly check things during recovery, and as such it grew back together incorrectly. I have suffered from chronic pain ever since. I’m always in pain, some days more then others. I also don’t deal well with large groups of people, especially if they’re around me, after getting caught between 2 gangs shooting at each other also around 2000. I have to sit with my back to a wall usually, or get massive anxiety. When in costume, especially when wearing the helmet, and surrounded by my fellow troopers, this is much easier to cope with.
Being in costume allows me to put smiles on peoples faces, while regularly working for a good cause, and is definitely worth pushing through.
From Johann:
I had a ruptured brain aneurysm or a brain hemmhorhage. I suffer from neurotic pain in my left extremities. I suffer from a lot of fatigue both physical and mental because of my brain injury. I don’t cope well with sharp noises or lot of people talking to me at the same time. I have to walk by a crutch or cane most of the time because my neurotic pathways are damaged and I can’t count on my left knee not to buckle under me. I have problem with balance, also strength on my left side and my short time memory has literally disappeared. Those are my main deficiencies….”
Wally Peters
CC5800 reporting in! I didn’t know this detachment existed and glad it does. I’m a 100% disabled army vet that suffers from ptsd, anxiety, depression and other physical stuff from my year of service. Suiting up helps me deal with a lot of things I couldn’t normally do. Thanks WWD for everything you’ve done and continue to do.
David Robert Forsey
I suffer with debilitating bouts of depression, but when I’m fighting for the first order and the 501st I like to be the strong woman in charge. It’s good for my mental health, a sense of pride, kindness and the feeling of being somebody different. Bless you all.
Amanda Mattern
The left pic was before i found out i had cysts so big that i was facing cancer. In April of 2018 i was diagnosed with uterine fibrocystic cysts. At the time we didn’t know the size of them until the MRI. The Radiologist was in the room and i ended up being in the machine for 1 and a half hours instead of 30 mins. By the time the MRI came back we knew they were huge. The blood work came back both positive and negative for cancer. Surgery was set for May 31 of 2018. By the time it was over they retested the blood and the cyst for cancer and it was thankfully negative. The size of what was in me was 7.6 pounds. The size of a baby. Because of it i have lost the ability to have children. But its a small price to live. The cysts were pressing into my stomach, my lungs, and my heart. I was unable to eat much and everything i ate went to feed the monster cyst. I am thankful to have been in the great hands of the surgery team at Methodist Hospital Willowbrook TX.
Emma Bennett
Emma Bennett, UK garrison and Galactic Academy staff UK Hoth Campus. From the age of 7 I’ve suffered from anaphylaxis, I’ve come close a few times but I just have to make sure I have my adrenaline pens with me always. I’ve always wanted a Tk but because I’m allergic to latex I never thought I could have one but wheres theres a will there’s a way. On top of this I have very unstable joints (hypermobility syndrome) which 2 years ago led to a diagnosis of fibro myalgia. I keep my adrenaline pens in my TD when trooping and have a very quick way to move my Thigh armour, as for fibro, I can’t troop a full day anymore so I do what I can when I can or as you can see I look after a jawa. Much love and support to you all.
Felix Lindtner
Being great Star Wars Fans from the beginning, me and my husband Michael thought about joining the 501st for a long time. But with five children, we kind of saved that for later. Suddenly there was no later, our present and future was turned upside down with our sons diagnosis in 2014. A brain tumor, along with several other severe issues like heavy migraines, epilepsy and bipolar disorder. The brain tumor was partly resected, there’s still some of it in his brain. Then in a hospice stay last year everything changed for Felix (and the whole Lindtner family). He was very depressed that time, not being able to walk, needing a wheelchair and he was very upset with his “having no future” thoughts. In the hospice center we met our new friend who organized a troop from the German Garrison for Felix. Those two hours (plus the time we spent with them afterwards) were pure magic. I had tears in my eyes watching Felix being so happy, I hadn’t seen him like that for a long time. He totally lost himself in space, there was Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Pilots, Snowtroopers, Imperial Officers and lots more. There was pure delight in his eyes. They made tons of pictures, even funny ones like a Spaceballs crossover.
He then decided for him he has to reach his 18th birthday to join the 501st himself. He has new faith in living and life, thanks to the 501st. Of course he wanted to become a member of the Galactic Academy right away, he’s now serving the Empire as CTK 4304.
As he was very worried about being able to troop while sitting in a wheelchair we decided that this is the right moment for us parents to join the 501st too so we can help him while trooping. Mom was first, I
finished my Jawa in february and I am now proud member of the German Garrison (DZ 87530) , my husband is awaiting his approval for his TK. Now Felix is not afraid anymore he could fail a troop. It’s going to be a little tough on finishing his costume (he wants to be a tie fighter pilot, but he’ll start with an imperial bridge officer) as it has to be a little modified for him as he sits in a wheelchair and also his boots
will be a little problem as he can’t wear normal shoes but we will see.
We are taking step by step, and are grateful for every day Felix is alive. The Galactic Academy and the 501st have given him so much strength and power, he almost gave up on himself. But not anymore. Felix
is so inspired, and end of march he has his first troop with the Galactic Academy. He’s so excited.
Felix and me started collecting trading cards, he is so proud of every single one he gets. He keeps them like his treasure! Me and my whole family wish to thank you, Albin, for everything you have done for us! Thank you for the 501st, thank you for the Galactic Academy. I hope our little story is an inspiration for one or the other, it reminds me to never give up, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel!
Sandra Jansen TS/ID/IC/TI 8587
I joined the 501st Legion in January 2011 (German Garrison; WSQ). In 2015 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and have relied on a walker ever since (I call it TIE on Wheels). Unfortunately, because of the MS, I can not attend many events anymore (too crowded, too loud, too hot; you may know the problems). Fatigue is a great problem especially during summer.
Kulturnacht, German Garrison Star Wars 
Sarah Camilletti
I was lucky, in 1993 they found me a bone tumor in the head for which they had given me 3 months to live. There have always been health problems, but in 2016 I had two herniated discs that damaged my bones and nerves. From there it was a descent at full speed … Last year they removed two other hernias that have even more damaged my nerves so that by now I no longer feel a leg causing problems when I walk and at the same time a chronic pain that often takes over … I am now waiting to undergo 5 back operations that should help me keep walking. I entered the legion because it looked like a happy island, to be among people of different ages who enjoy spending happy time without thoughts. Later I discovered the second face of the legion, the one that participates in charity events, which helps, which makes others happy. I realized that in my little world of misadventures I was very lucky and so I have to give happiness to those who are not so lucky or who can’t see a little light in their day. This is the important thing, never stop fighting for us and for those who no longer have strength. Walking Wounded forever!
Eric Dyck
I joined the 501st back in 2007 at a time I was working as the Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Mount Shasta here in California. In 1995 I was pumping an engine where the relief valve failed and the pressure in the engine grew to over 300 lbs and caused a 2 1/2 inch hose to fail at the connection point with the engine. It caused me to herniated a disk in my lower back. After four back surgeries I was forced back to work to early and over 20 more years of this physically demanding work my condition declined. Today not including the one level of my back that was repaired with seven surgeries I now have 11 herniated disks in my back and neck making it hard for me to travel long distances and then troop and drive back home.
I now assemble helmets for others and to date have assembled over 1100 Stormtrooper helmets for 501st members alone. This is one way I can help the costuming community without all the traveling. Hopefully one day things like this will be counted like trooping since there are a lot in my same position that could help clubs without having to cause themselves pain with the trooping.
Today I’m waiting to have a corrective surgery (next week) to repair the electronics they put in my back and neck, which hopefully will work and allow me to do things I can’t do today. Anyway I will continue helping others with their helmet builds and continue my personal helmet collecting in which I have collected over 102 helmets which will be part of my future helmet museum. This museum will be a place people can see all the Stormtrooper helmets made by all but one of the major makers. I will also be able to take a lot of helmets to events for display for more to enjoy.
Jason Poulin
I have struggled with severe generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic attacks since I was 5 years old. Sometimes if the anxiety/panic is bad enough I also become agoraphobic. I joined the Legion in 2012 and putting on my helmet and bringing joy to others has helped immensely with my struggles. When I put my helmet on, I become my character. It creates a bubble for me and makes me feel very safe and secure. My anxiety has all but disappeared and I haven’t had a panic attack since 2013. The friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve shared in have changed my life. I’m thankful every day. I am very proud to put on my armor and be a bad guy doing good. Not all disabilities are ones you can see. They may also not be ones that you understand. That’s what I love about my fellow legion brothers and sisters. We all support and love each other no matter what. I am proud to be a member of Walking Wounded!
Hanko Penshorn
I had a motorcycle accident in August 2006 and since then my complete left arm has been paralyzed. A movement is no longer possible. It was not that easy to find a long time of rehabilitation and finding a new job because at the time I was still in the military. Now I work in a big german electronics market and edit the web shop.
I currently have an officer and the biker scout is almost done.
Lars Sogelée
I suffer from a condition known as an Essential Tremor (or ET for short). It is a condition that makes me tremble throughout my entire body, though the most noticeable areas are my hands and knees. Pretty much at any time that I am using a muscle in my arm, that arm is shaky, especially when I am doing tasks that require a lot of precision, such as writing, painting, eating with a fork and tightening screws. My legs also tremble, but this is most noticeable when walking stairs, squatting or otherwise making a pose that requires some more effort from my leg muscles (which is also worsened a bit by also having a form of hypermobility). This condition generally gets worse with time, and usually only starts to develop around the age of 40, but in rarer cases (such as myself) it can start earlier. I have noticed it since around the age of 14, and I would be told at times “not to be nervous” and similar things like that, even though I wasn’t nervous. Now (at the age of 21, nearly 22) it has slowly gotten worse and thus more noticeable. It gets more noticeable when I’m cold, nervous or stressed for example, and in such situations other parts of my body also noticeably tremble, such as my neck and jaw. I am glad I could share it with this wonderful community and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of support, caring and help I got from my fellow troopers! It also gives me strength and determination to work on new costumes!
Brian Aiken
Born too early doesn’t sound all that bad but when you the only survivor of triplets and born just a few days over viability it was a rough start. Brian face a purely uphill battle. Initially spending from his first day to Christmas on a ventilator, a collapsed lung and weekly transfusions. He spent time in the hospital during the highest time of RSV infections that could have killed him. Then we found out he has a case of Retinopathy of Prematurity and the doctors said his was progressing faster than any case they had seen. He had to have eye surgery ASAP luckily his doctor was one of the 3 specialist in the country. He sight saved and he got out the hospital after 3 months. We still the risk of suffering from multiple disabilities. Despite some multiple things physical and learning delays. He graduated High School with no assistance, got a driver’s license bought his own car and got a job. He has fought and work thru everything. His love of Star Wars started when he first saw it and after going to a SW game at a minor league game he was sold. His disability are minor on the surface but it takes a lot of heart to get this far and keep fighting. His service to the empire is genuine and the kid well he is genuine too.