But after 10 years of service in the Navy—including time during the Gulf War—Larry knows what it means to endure. And in the face of one of life’s most difficult diagnoses, he’s done just that.

In October 2023, Larry began feeling a strange pain in his back while driving a city bus. At first, it felt like a pulled muscle. But soon, his legs began to drag. Within days, he could barely make it across the room. 

A trip to the hospital revealed that Larry had cancer on his spine, and it had already begun to affect his mobility.

“The most shocking part was just finding out,” Larry said. “Nobody wants to hear they have cancer.”

Doctors acted quickly, performing surgery to relieve the pressure on his spine, but nerve damage left Larry unable to walk. “I can move my feet a little. I can move my legs. But walking’s not in the cards right now.”

The diagnosis changed everything for Larry and his family. His wife Eleanor became his full-time caregiver, navigating a world that suddenly felt a lot smaller.

“Transportation was the biggest challenge,” she said. “We missed so many appointments because we had to rely on a program that just wasn’t dependable. So my son and I did what we had to do.”

That meant loading Larry into their car using a Hoyer lift—manually lifting and lowering him into the seat, then packing the heavy equipment into the trunk, only to repeat the process when they arrived at the hospital. It was exhausting, risky, and unsustainable. 

“The nurses used to look at us like we were crazy,” Eleanor said. “But we did it because we had no other option.”

As bills mounted and their ability to work slipped away, Larry and Eleanor came dangerously close to eviction. “Everything went downhill fast,” Larry said. “It felt like we went from zero to 60 overnight. But we fought through it. It’s still a process. But we keep moving forward every day.”

That fighting spirit caught the attention of Chive Charities and our donors, who stepped in with a wheelchair-accessible van that will transform Larry’s day-to-day life.

We were able to purchase a white 2022 Chrysler Voyager from AMS Vans, giving Larry and his family back the independence they had lost. The total impact: $53,761 toward freedom, dignity, and a better quality of life.

“Everything’s going to change now,” Larry said. “We won’t have to depend on anyone else to get to appointments, pick up medicine, or just get out of the house. It’s freedom.”

With the new van, Larry and Eleanor can plan for more than just survival. They can think about movie nights. About spontaneous dinners out. About weekend trips to visit their kids and grandkids. 

It also means reconnecting with the parts of life that bring joy. Larry has a sharp sense of humor and a deep love of trivia, especially music, sports, and '70s classics. 

“I grew up on soul, but when I was in the Navy, the guys on the ship introduced me to everything—Whitesnake, Depeche Mode, you name it,” he laughed. “I can hold my own in just about any music trivia game.”

His favorite show right now is The Floor, a trivia competition hosted by Rob Lowe. “It keeps your brain sharp,” he said. “I love that you can play along at home. No pressure—just fun.”

Larry also wanted to make sure the story didn’t focus on him alone. Sounds like a typical Veteran to us (always thinking of someone else).

“My wife, Eleanor—she’s everything. She’s the reason I got through this. And my mom, too. She’s 80 and still going strong. She helped us when we were really struggling. We didn’t want to ask, but sometimes you have to let people in.”

That’s the message Larry hopes others take from his journey. “Don’t give up. Even when it’s hard, even when you think you can’t go another step, lean on your support system. It’ll make you a better person. It’ll get you through.”

This Military Appreciation Month, we’re proud to honor Larry and his service, resilience, and the incredible family standing beside him. And we’re grateful to our donors who have spent more than a decade standing up for Veterans, military families, first responders, and those with a rare medical diagnosis. 

Because of people like you, Larry isn’t stuck anymore. He’s moving forward.

You didn’t just fund a van. You helped a Veteran reclaim his joy, reconnect with his family, and rediscover the world beyond his front door.

Want to make a difference? Join us in our mission to make the world 10% happier. Donate today and help rewrite someone’s story. DONATE HERE.