August 1, 2010

ATLANTA—The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will honor retired Coast Guard aviation survival technician David Riley as the Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year for 2010 at the organization’s 89th National Convention at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The award will be presented by DAV National Commander Roberto Barrera on Saturday, July 31.

Riley, who lost all four of his limbs to a bacterial infection in 1997, is recognized for his outstanding volunteerism and his commitment to inspiring his fellow disabled veterans.

“David is the kind of veteran whose visible injuries draw questions from many curious people . While this is not an easy role to step into, David has made the most of his disability by unfailingly turning his struggle into a positive and inspirational force,” said Commander Barrera. “He continues to serve the veteran community with the same courage and tenacity he displayed as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer.”

Riley lost both arms, both legs and several internal organs to a bacterial infection that ravaged his immune system and burned his skin from the inside out. After narrowly surviving the infection’s early onslaught, Riley spent more than a month in a coma and many more months building up the strength to attempt physical therapy.

While Riley’s recovery has been described as miraculous by medical professionals and his family, the event has not defined his life.

“The sickness is just another of many events in my life. It took some things from me, but it gave me many things too,” Riley said. “I’m definitely a better person for going through it but it is not the beginning or the end of my story.”

Riley, 50, and his wife Yvonne have three children. The couple lives in Semmes, Ala. Riley, a life member of DAV Chapter 7 in Semmes, Ala., is an active volunteer at the VA medical center in nearby Mobile.

“David Riley has dedicated his life to looking out for those in need. First as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and now as a DAV leader,” said DAV National Adjutant/CEO Arthur H. Wilson. “His selection as our Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year is equally for his accomplishments as a disabled veteran and for the great things yet to come.”

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site www.dav.org.

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