Todd Smalenberg
Todd J. Smalenberg, is a retired Marine Corps, Force Reconnaissance, Master Sergeant who is originally from Oscoda, Michigan. Todd has deployed throughout the world in every continent and served in multiple combat deployments in Desert Storm, Somalia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, He has been a Senior Operational Advisor for the US Government since he retired assisting the Department of Defense and government in operational and intelligence matters. He reinjured his left leg in 2013 in Afghanistan while embedded with a Special Forces unit. Todd was a limb salvage for four years until August of 2017 when he opted for a left, below the knee amputation at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. He underwent successful rehabilitation at the Center for the Intrepid and regained his mobility and quality of life thanks to the incredible staff, medical professionals, family and friends but mostly his loving wife, the former Lynne Marie Wiseman of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. They have been married since 1987, they have two grown, productive children who are happily married to their spouses that have blessed Todd and Lynne with five grandchildren who are the apple of their grandparents’ eyes. They currently just moved back to Mio, Michigan where they are building their dream home on the Ausable River. Todd is passionate about helping others overcome diversity, his motto throughout his injury and rehabilitation was ‘this will not define me, I will define it.’ Todd does not believe in disabilities, there are too many negative connotations adhered to that. He thinks of them as challenges, everyone can relate to a challenge in life and at times we all need a hand up not a handout. Together, we can all make positive changes to people in this world if we all come together to help with a hand up.