Doug Gresenz

Doug Gresenz served in the United States Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal (E3), but his commitment to service didn’t end when he returned home. After deploying to Iraq in 2007–2008, Doug faced the long-term effects of his service, challenges that would unfold over the years in ways he didn’t immediately recognize. After returning home, Doug did not seek treatment right away and was later diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, and other physical conditions following significant loss within his community.

Over time, those challenges became increasingly physical. After multiple injuries and years of complications, Doug began losing mobility in his right leg. What started as weakness progressed into an acquired deformity that made everyday movement difficult and painful. For years, he pushed through it, but the condition continued to worsen. In December 2024, after more than a decade of dealing with the issue, Doug made the decision to undergo a below-the-knee amputation on his right side. While he is still adjusting to life with a prosthetic, the change marked a new chapter in regaining both strength and independence.

Through the Freedom Mobility Foundation, Doug received a 2021 GMC Denali 4x4 provided through USAA and NABC Recycled Rides, equipped with hand controls and an ANT lift for his 500 lb Action Trackchair, with all mobility modifications from Mobility Works, LLC. This equipment has completely transformed his day-to-day life. Before receiving the truck, independence was limited. “I didn’t drive myself… or even leave the house under my own power,” Doug shared. For years, simple tasks required coordination with his wife’s schedule, often relying on her to get to appointments or go anywhere outside the home “We had to coordinate everything,” he explained, describing how even small outings became complicated.

Now, that has completely changed. With his adaptive truck, Doug has regained control over his mobility and his time. The impact, in his words, is hard to fully measure; “Freedom is an understatement.”

That freedom has allowed him to step back into the life he had spent years imagining. During some of his hardest moments, Doug coped by planning adventures from a distance. “I would just go on Google Earth and find all these cool places… plan these trips,” he said. “Now I’m doing them.” What once felt out of reach is now part of his everyday life.

Since receiving his truck, Doug has traveled across the country, including a trip to Minnesota for adaptive dog sledding, and has stayed active through kayaking, golfing, and exploring remote areas. One moment that stands out to him was the first time he set out completely on his own. He visited a remote ranch, unloaded his equipment independently, and explored an area he had long wanted to see. “It was probably the first time… something I had been planning for a longtime that I got to go do,” he said. That experience wasn’t just about the destination, it was about proving to himself that he could do it.

The impact has gone far beyond physical mobility. After spending years largely confined to his home, the ability to get out and move again has had a major effect on his mental health. “It’s improved my mental health, my independence,” Doug shared. “I’ve been stuck in the house for a long time… now I’m out doing all types of stuff.” As he continues to stay active, he’s also rebuilding his physical strength, gaining confidence with his prosthetic, and pushing himself further each day.

Doug’s journey is not just about his own recovery, it’s also about giving back. As the founder of the Redford Ranch Foundation, he creates opportunities for other veterans to participate in outdoor, adventure-based activities like hunting, fishing, and camping. These experiences offer connection, purpose, and a different kind of healing outside of traditional settings. With the help of his truck and Action Trackchair, Doug is able to access remote environments and make those same experiences possible for others. “These are places out in the middle of nowhere,” he explained. “Without something like that, guys can’t get around.”

The impact of the truck has also extended into his family life. Before, everything required careful planning and sacrifice, often affecting his wife’s schedule and daily routine. Now, that burden has been lifted. “It’s changed that massively,” Doug said, allowing both of them to move more freely and independently without constant coordination.

Beyond the equipment itself, Doug also emphasizes the people he’s met along the way. Through the Freedom Mobility Foundation, he’s built meaningful connections with others who share similar experiences and values. “It’s more than just a piece of equipment,” he said. “I’ve met some really incredible people.”

For Doug, freedom today is simple, but powerful, “The ability to go chase my passions.” Whether that means exploring remote landscapes, creating opportunities for other veterans, or continuing to push his own limits, he hasn’t found a place he can’t reach yet, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.