Tribute to Todd

I had not known Todd for very long before his passing, but in that short time, he made a powerful impact on my life. He reached out to me after seeing a post where I was seeking assistance with a product I invented. I mentioned my disabilities, which prevent me from working a traditional job, and he assured me he didn’t mind helping. Even though I have a GoFundMe, I couldn’t bring myself to ask him for financial help, what I truly wanted was his guidance and expertise.

It didn’t take long for me to realize how much he kept going for himself. His physical limitations never defined the “real him.” If you looked past his body, you saw a brilliant mind, unmatched willpower, and a heart determined to live life fully. He was on a voyage across THE UNITED STATES! That’s sounds unreal…but it was as real as my name is Angie! REAL TALK! 💯 Our conversations meant so much to me. Whenever I felt like giving up, he encouraged me to keep pushing forward. He had lived with disability his entire life, while mine only came to light a little over three and a half years ago, and I admired him deeply for the courage he carried every single day.

The way he spoke lit a fire in me, to keep moving and use what I do have and what I can use… my mind. His body may not have allowed him to do many traditional things, but his brain and his determination, he stopped at nothing! He inspired me in ways he might not have even realized.

When I looked at everything he accomplished in his life, it moved me to tears and strengthened my resolve to pull myself together and keep going. It reminded me so much of something his sister, Danise, shared at the service. Danise, that story told about Todd’s swimming competitively keeps pops in my mind from time to time. Someone doubted him, and that pushed him to give his very best and prove exactly who he was. That story stuck with me. It reminds me of what my mother used to tell us ten children, “When someone says you can’t do something, make them out to be a liar.”Todd lived that truth every day.

I still don’t have the funding for my product, but I haven’t given up on it. It’s just waiting on the sidelines. In the meantime, I will be releasing my debut book series very soon, because I learned from Todd to keep pressing when life’s ups and downs says wait. He wouldn’t have given up just because something didn’t happen right away. He would simply move on to the next step, while holding onto his goals in the back of his mind. If Todd were here, I can almost hear him saying plainly, “Live Life…Don’t give up, & Keep pressing… anyway!”

Todd taught me not to dwell on what changed in my body after surgery, or what was taken from me, but to focus on what I can do and to keep living.

Angie Nixon

Amnixon2@gmail.com

Danise, my phone erased numbers, I’d love to speak to you at some point. Can you email me. I’ll send my number? I hope all of you are well. 🤗❤️

I first met Todd when he started attending my monthly networking events I hosted at the Lucky Lab in SE Portland in 2017. He became a welcomed staple there, showing up nearly every month for several years. I have shared images from a small handful of those luncheons, but I have dozens more. I was always inspired by Todd’s cheery attitude, humor, wit, and commitment to supporting disabled peoples find housing. 

Throughout the years Todd and I maintained a connection and mutual respect, and often sent people to each other who could benefit from the introduction. We were both big community builders and connectors, and loved uplifting others through our work. 

After years of not seeing each other through the pandemic, Todd assisted at my leadership retreat last October greeting people as they arrived and bringing support to the volunteer team in other ways. It was so great being in physical space with him again, as he continued to light up every room he rolled into.

He also began attending the online version of what that same monthly luncheon at Lucky Lab evolved into: Healers Huddle, a supportive group of people healing the world with their work. Todd fit right in with his values, his kindness, and his focus on caring for his community.

I will miss Todd greatly, and will continue to do my best to live up to his commitment to shining a light in dark places, and bringing humor and awareness wherever I go. Thank you, Todd, you were an incredible human who I am honored to have known.