Alex Post tells people to do the things they actually want to do and don’t let other people tell you what to do.
The freshman from Lake Preston is following his own advice and switching his major to theater to go with a minor in aviation.
While most freshmen—and other college students—change majors at least once, one has to understand what these changes mean to Post.
Born in Russia, Post has arthrogryposis, a rare disorder occurring in 1 out of every 3,000 live births. Also called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, it involves a variety of nonprogressive conditions that are characterized by multiple joint contractures (stiffness) and involves muscle weakness found throughout the body at birth. The most common type of arthrogryposis is called amyoplasia in which the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, feet and knees are affected. In more severe types, every joint can be affected, including the jaw and spine.
‘In the way’
After being adopted at age 8 1/2 and moving to California in 2009, Post learned English in just over six months. At 12, he decided he didn’t want his legs anymore and told his parents.
“My legs were always in my way,” he said, recalling the difficulties. “I finally told my mom and dad that I wanted my legs gone. They found a Shriners hospital. I talked to the doctor there, and she gave me a few options. And I chose, of course, the removal.”
After meeting with other doctors, Post had his legs removed two weeks before Christmas. He is grateful his parents let him make that decision, which led to the outgoing Post serving as an ambassador for Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles, appearing on “General Hospital” and in two music videos for Canadian artist Sketch Williams and meeting the “Grey’s Anatomy” actors.
His decision inspired another individual to get the same surgery. While Post said he can walk normal with prosthetics, he had to learn how to walk and struggled. Post typically can be seen traveling campus and elsewhere in his motorized chair but chooses to walk when speaking and attending SDSU athletics events.
“We went through several prosthetics and finally came up with this version,” said Post, pointing to his legs. “I had to use a walker, and I hated it. One day I just flat out said ‘OK, enough of this.’ I took my time, stood up and finally got my balance for the first time and walked really, really slow, all of the way from my bedroom to the living room, which was a really good distance in the old house.
“After that, I just started to learn how to walk without a walker. I fell several times and almost broke my neck twice while learning how to walk,” Post continued. “I rode horses to get my core strength built up so I could have better balance. I love riding horses. I fell off a few times but told myself I could do this and got back up on them.”
That can-do attitude carries over to his lawnmowing business. He’s looking to expand that into a landscaping and snow removal firm.
Rough start
The lawnmowing business started after Post and his parents moved to Lake Preston in 2017.
“When I moved here, I really wanted to have some sort of a business; I really wanted to do something,” Post said. “I was like, ‘I have this lawnmower that an engineer friend of mine modified for me in California,’ so you know what, I started a lawnmowing business. It was tough.
“I started working with someone, but it just didn’t work out, so I continued the business. Eventually, the mower broke down. I was like ‘Oh Boy, what do I do now?’ I started worrying but wanted to keep that business going somehow,” he continued. “A friend of mine in Lake Preston said I could start a GoFundMe account, so I did. I started fundraising and got to $300. I then asked my pastor (Joe Ganahl) for some money.”
Instead of making a donation, Ganahl led an event that raised more than $3,000. That amount sent Post to Lowe’s to buy a mower. He found one that had hand controls and purchased that and a trailer.
The lawnmowing business is now in its third year. He mows 15 lawns a week.
It’s all part of his can-do attitude, which includes him being a motivational speaker.
On-campus talk
That part of his life started after an invitation to speak at Castlewood High School by a fellow Special Olympian.
“I wondered what I signed up for. I wasn’t a huge fan of speaking in front of people, but you know what? I did it. Several other schools then invited me to speak about my life story. I have loved doing it,” Post said.
Never satisfied, Post contacted V.J. Smith ’78, former executive director of the Alumni Association and current South Dakota legislator and professional speaker. They met for breakfast, and Smith said he would attend one of Post’s talks and provide a critique. Post spoke Oct. 6 in the University Student Union with Smith attending.
“I told him I’d come watch and said I’m going to be honest with you because I want you to be successful; I’m not going to flower things. We are all products of constructive criticism. I had to listen to what people had to say, filter it and take what made sense. I took it and moved on. We don’t like it, but we need to know where we can improve,” Smith said.
While Smith found several areas for improvement, he was blown away by Post’s life story.
“You know none of us get here by ourselves. People have helped us along the way. But his mother and father, oh my goodness, oh my goodness … to do what they have done to bring him to this point in life … ” Smith said.
“Sure, a lot of intestinal fortitude has gotten him to this point, especially that mowing business. But he didn’t get that by himself either. He got support. His mother and father have taken a young man with a disability and have given him a tremendous start. I was trying to convey to him that everyone in that audience needs to reflect on the people they have in their lives that helped bring them to who they are.”
Post knows he was fortunate to be adopted and move to the United States, a move that provided a springboard for him.
“I’ve had doctors tell me that I wouldn’t be able to ever walk. Well, here I am and look at me now,” he said. “I want to show people a disability doesn’t stop you from doing things that you love.”
–Matt Schmidt
