Invited into his inner sanctum, Carlos greeted me from a hospital bed, which had just been delivered to his home that very day. With a smile on his face and loving family and friends surrounding him, he was ready to tell his story.

On May 17th, 2005, 48-year-old Carlos (Los) G. Wormley, a Montclair, NJ resident and detective in the Juvenile Aid Bureau of the Montclair Police Department stumbled in the middle of the street while walking to Police headquarters. Glancing back, he thought he stumbled on a pothole. When he made it to his office, he stumbled again and fell on his desk. Carlos experienced ‘Drop Foot’ on his right leg, a general term that describes loss of the ability to raise the foot at the ankle. By 7:30pm that evening, he was hospitalized and his life the way he knew it has never been the same.

Standing at 5’ 8” and 210 pounds, Carlos had been exercising regularly and losing weight. He believed his weight loss was the result of his work out regimen, so he worked out harder and noticeably drank more water. He also began experiencing minor pain in his hands. A visit to the doctor confirmed that Carlos was a diabetic and had rheumatoid arthritis in both hands. Under the doctor’s advisement, he changed his eating habits and began taking medication.

When Carlos stumbled on that fateful day, he found out that the rheumatoid arthritis caused another condition called vasculitis. Vasculitis is a general term for a group of diseases that involve inflammation in blood vessels. The blood vessels collapsed causing the ‘Drop Foot’ and made him susceptible to contracting a virus inside his right leg. The virus became acute and his leg began to swell. Doctors wanted to amputate. Carlos explained, “Two doctors wanted to amputate and one said they thought they could save it. If it weren’t for my friends and family, I don’t know what I’d do.”

Thankfully, he was able to survive without having his leg amputated but his road to recovery was certainly not over. His hospital stay lasted for three weeks. Two weeks later, he was back in the hospital, but this time it was for 4 ½ months. Carlos has experienced the pain of having over 30 surgeries on his right leg, at times three to four operations per week, and approximately seven on his left. He says his feet never touched the ground.

Carlos has been dedicated to the Montclair Police Department since 1977. Obtaining a full time position in 1990, he has held numerous positions to be proud of. He created workshops, certified through the state, which provide educational and safe environments for local youth involving conflict resolution, anger management, how to deal with authority, and what to do if you get stopped by the police, to name a few. He says, “I really love my job and I felt my career was just getting started.”

The mood in his room was lighthearted as he cracked a few jokes and made us all laugh but you could see he was uncomfortable. He’s been lying in bed on his back for 6 weeks. A slipped disk and pinched nerve have rendered him in excruciating pain. Carlos’ sister Wanda stands by to lend a helping hand whenever he needs it.

Q: How long will it take for you to recover?
A: I have a .1% recovery rate for my nerves only, not including the diabetes. It also has a very big effect on your nervous system. If I could take diabetes away, I would probably do very well. It takes a big toll on my body. Diabetes won’t allow me to heal.

Q: How supportive has the police department been to you?
He paused fighting back tears.
A: I had no idea of the support and respect that was given to me. I had no idea. It’s been phenomenal and unbelievable. People have come out, and I didn’t even think they cared. But to see them give that support brought me to a totally different level. Some have pointed out what I have done for others, but I don’t see it that way. I just move forward and try to help people. When I thought I ran out of time, everybody got together and gave of their time to help me make it. When I think of these things I become very sensitive.

Q: How supportive is your sister Wanda?
A: If it hadn’t been for Wanda, I probably would be in a nursing home. If I didn’t have the support of my sister and my family…Wanda has changed her whole life to be here. She came in with her bags and has been supporting me ever since. I don’t want to be the cause of people sacrificing their lives just to help me. She won’t leave me. She won’t even go to a concert.

Q: Favorite pastimes?
A: Martial arts, motorcycles, racecars, and electronics. I went to school for electronics. I was also a musician and I played the Conga Percussion but my passion was to host people. I’ve spent thousands of dollars having parties just to see people smile.

Q: What would be the first thing you would do if you were able to get up and walk?
A: I would praise the lord and give back what was given to me. I would probably end up at Kessler helping others and supporting them. I think the best counselor is somebody who has been there and done that. I would give back to people who really need that support the way I got it.

Q: The Montclair Policeman and Fireman are dedicating their annual benefit basketball game to you. What does that mean to you?
Teary eyed…
A: I was blown away. People just flood you with your love and support in the beginning and then eventually it kind of dwindles away. But these people keep showing me that support. I can’t put it into words. Its joyful and I’m overwhelmed and I really, really appreciate it.

Q: How has the power of prayer influenced you?
A: People don’t know how spiritual I am. I was raised in the church and it’s very important to have a spiritual connection. People have come by to say prayers with me. I wanted to read my bible but it’s too heavy for me to hold because of my hands, so I have it on CD. It’s your God and your spirit in connection with the direction in which you want to go. I’m partial to the book of Job.

Q: Is there a message you would like to relay?
A: It’s hard to put into words. It’s hard to climb up the rough side of the mountain but because without those jagged edges to hold onto, you’ll slide back down. I allude to the jagged edges as the trials and tribulations of our lives. So as you grab on to an edge you may encounter something as devastating as this, but if you can hold on to that edge and pull yourself up, you can make it to the top. I just encourage everybody to go over the rough side.

Carlos says he will not apologize for his tears. They are tears of appreciation, joy and love. He says, “I’ve been in many battles, but I won’t give up. I will keep going.”

On Friday, June 9th, 2006, the annual Policeman/Fireman Benefit Basketball game will be held in honor of Carlos G. Wormley at the Montclair High School gym located on Midland Ave. Tip off time starts @ 7pm. $20 for adults, $5 students and children. All proceeds will go to the Positive Community Foundation/Carlos G. Wormley Fund