Profile

THIS IS A MUSE JOURNAL

BIOGRAPHY: Henry is the son of Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Michael Garvey and the now-deceased Emma Warwick-Garvey. Born during his father's Cambodian deployment during the Vietnam War, Henry's childhood was heavily influenced by a "military brat" lifestyle. From a young age he knew he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, and loved all things combat-related. He excelled in school and was often regarded as shining example of a positive military upbringing. At nine years of age, Henry's life changed drastically when he began to experience severe pain in his right knee. Initially diagnosed with a benign cyst, his parents were told the situation would likely clear up on its own. Henry continued to complain of nearly-unbearable pain, however, and when a biopsy was performed it was found to be a malignant bone tumor.

The young boy immediately started a round of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to stabilize his condition until the potential for a successful surgery could be assessed. Due to Henry's young age and the difficulty a limb-salvage would produce during growth, he received a transfemoral (or above the knee) amputation of the right leg. All at once, his dreams of following his father's career path were cut short. Henry's grades began to slip as he became more lost and dejected, and his attitude tended towards anger and depression.

A few run-ins with the base's Military Police did very little to deter Henry's increasingly volatile behavior. It wasn't until a Staff Sergeant caught Henry vandalizing his barracks that someone took an interest in Henry's predicament. SSgt Brian Ember had a particular interest in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, and had achieved the ranking of black belt third degree. Against better judgment, he began to teach Henry basic locks and throws, as well as counters to strikes. It took some improvisation on both their parts, but the teenager once again flourished when given an outlet for some of his anger.

It was a relief when Henry made it to his high school graduation with scores and a class rank that kept him competitive. Still, he didn't know what to do with himself. During his first year of undergraduate studies, Henry switched his major four times before finally settling into a pre-occupational therapy course. Upon graduation, he entered a Master-level program and spent the few years following working in a hospital setting while slowly working to earn his PhD.

Now Henry is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy in New York. He lives alone in a small, yet comfortable apartment. Most of his time is spent on campus, either in class or at the athletic facility where he teaches nighttime courses in healthy living with cancer and adaptive self-defense.

DISCLAIMER: Both the muse and the mundane are over the age of eighteen. This journal may contain adult themes.