Ronnie

Maryland Dr. Conway

Over 35 years ago, when Ronnie Hall was 18, his left leg was crushed in an accident while serving as a volunteer firefighter. While doctors tried to save his leg, he ultimately needed a below-knee amputation. Ronnie shares that Dr. Conway has been his orthopedist for at least 20 years. “She has always been an advocate for me to get the best prosthetic possible.”

While waiting for a prosthetic appointment, Ronnie saw a brochure for the Annapolis Rowing Club’s Adaptive Rowing program. Before he was hurt, Ronnie played basketball and football, but he later found it frustrating that he couldn’t play at the same level he used to play at. Rowing was new to him. “I didn’t have the history of participating in this sport when I was able-bodied. I could start fresh as who I am now. We all want to be recognized for what we CAN do.”

Ronnie said he is especially grateful to Dr. Conway for being instrumental in getting him a PR2 disability rating for his para-rowing. This is a rating for athletes who have trunk function but limited leg function. At first, Ronnie was categorized as a PR3 that includes leg movement, as the evaluator did not realize that Ronnie’s right leg had considerable circulation issues and muscle weakness. Amelia Heffernan from the rowing club advocated for his level to be reconsidered, and Dr. Conway gave the medical documentation and support necessary to help him get reclassified as a PR2 so he could compete at a fairer level.

This is Ronnie’s third year competing in the sport, and he won both major regional regatta races he entered; one rowing with Jim Cooke, and the other with Pascal Evans. He is also working with his prosthetist, Art Molnar, at Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics to try to develop a prosthesis specifically for rowing. Ronnie shares some sage advice: “Find what you’re good at and do it. It adds to your life. And if you give it your all, you are enabled, not disabled.”