First Amputee To Graduate From OC Sheriff's Academy

ORANGE (CBSLA.com) — Robert Ram, who lost his leg to cancer in 7th grade, is determined not to let his misfortune stop him from achieving his goal of getting a job in law enforcement.

When Ram graduates next Friday, Oct. 30, he will be the first amputee ever to be hired as a correctional officer in the Orange County jail system.

"It's always been a dream since 15 or 16 years old to get into law enforcement," Ram said. "After I lost my leg, I didn't know I'll be able to or if I am able to."

At age 20 , Ram is not old enough to enter the deputy academy just yet. But he is following the footsteps of his father, Ravi Ram, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy.

"I didn't know if he could ever do what I did. It's a tough job. You don't know what's going to happen. You might be running up steps or jumping in or doing something really quick," the elder Ram said.

Ram's leg was amputated above the knee at age 12 after being diagnosis with Ewing's sarcoma in the marrow of his left tibia. An all-star baseball player before the amputation, Ram focused on rehabilitation so he could play sports again.

Since his leg was amputated in middle school, Ram has played in multiple high school sports, including four years of water polo, three years of swimming and a year of wrestling.

"His goal was always never to be last. He might not have been first. But he was never last. He always pushed himself. And that's just been his mantra ever since," said his mother Liia Ram.

Ram also volunteers at Children's Hospital of Orange County, speaking to young patients about amputations.