In 1993 I left the U.S. Army after an injury to my spine.  I received an Honorable-Medical Discharge and immediately reported to the Department of Veteran Affairs.  I have never been one to just lie down and quit.  I spent the next four years trying different vocations.  I worked as a welder, roughneck and truck driver.  In early 1996 I had my right hand crushed in an accident.  I spent the next nine months in rehabilitation and multiple surgeries.  In the end I lost my middle finger at the wrist.  I had multiple pins, cadaver bones and joints placed in my hand. The final result, a Ray Amputation, Thank you Doctor Brown.

At the end of my rehab I started working in retail and going to school.  In 1997 I graduated school and earned a state certificate as a Paramedic.  I continued to work as both a Medic and in sales.  I was later hired and transferred to New Mexico.  There I worked as a finance manger and sales manager in of all things, Modular Homes.  After having my general manager charged with theft and embezzlement I left te industry and went to work as a law enforcement officer. 

In law enforcement I found my calling.  I enjoyed helping others and it also fulfilled my adrenalin kick that I had not had since my days as a Cavalry Scout in the Army.  On my days off I volunteered myself with the local fire department.  I trained with a local MMA dojo (Mixed Martial Arts); continuing my life long practice in Martial Arts.  Sadly this was to end too.

Battling my spinal injury since the day I left the Army, eating large amounts of pain medication and rubbing my legs & back with Icy Hotb; I hid the pain and disability from everyone.   Late in 2001 my back started locking up on me.  I went to the Emergency Room on multiple occasions. 

In October 2003 I woke up and noticing I could not move my legs, and my hands were numb.  I crawled off my bed and into the main living room calling for my neighbor. Soon EMS arrived and took me to the Hospital.  After an evaluation with the VA I learned my spine had become worse.  On November 1^st, 2003 I became officially disabled through the VA.  What would I do?

If adversity makes you stronger, then the outcome is a blessing. 

In 2004 I met my future wife and I relocated to Dallas, TX.  I married my best friend in the whole world the following year and underwent spinal fusion surgery.  Later the next year my brother Samuel came to visit me for the first time in years.

Sam and I have a unique bond besides being the only siblings to share both parents.  We are survivors of parental child abduction.  We both were abducted in 1980 – 1983 by our father.  It was one of the first cases in U.S. history for a parent to be tried and convicted of felony count child abduction. 

The next year would define and mold my previous experiences and skills into a passion like no other. 

2005 was the twenty fifth anniversary of abduction from California.  Soon I found myself heavily involved in the cause and fight to end this horrible crime.  I met with key people involved in child abduction and formed my own group, AFW.  I have since spoke to numerous groups, law enforcement, case mangers, lawyers and judges.  I have met with senior members of NCMEC (NationalCenter for the Missing and Exploited Children), First Lady Laura Bush and Senator K. Hutchinson. 

I have testified as an Expert Witness in a similar court case, made a documentary film about my abduction for educational purposes.  It is my up most passion to end this type of crime.  I devote myself to speaking and writing on this subject. 

Currently I am waiting to have my manuscript published.  It is a barebones look at the life of a child during abduction.  No other book has ever covered this topic through the eyes of a child.  The manuscript has been compared to Dave Pelzer's book, A Child Named It, and is a case study for professionals.  I hope it will enlighten all who read it and allow them to come to their own conclusions.

I consider myself an artist, veteran, activist father and above all a husband.

God Bless.

Kenneth Dale Connelly (KC)

214 364 4181

Kdconnelly05@hotmail.com

Feel free to read the story at Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-abduct_29met.ART.State.Edition2.2908a92.html