Douglas has lived what many would call an impossible life filled with close calls, hard battles, and miraculous turnarounds. He calls himself “a cat with nine lives,” and when you hear his story, it’s easy to understand why.

He survived a C-1 vertebrae detachment that could have left him paralyzed, or worse. He walked away from a “widow maker” heart attack with no lasting damage, defying every statistic. And then, when life seemed stable again, he heard the words no one is ever ready to hear: “You have cancer.”

With a family history steeped in cancer, Douglas knew the stakes. But instead of letting fear take over, he fought, hard. After pushing through insurance barriers to secure an early colonoscopy, doctors discovered an aggressive form of colon cancer. What followed was a whirlwind: urgent surgery, a brutal course of radiation, and over six months of chemo that left him weak, nauseated, and raw. But Douglas never gave up. “I wanted to be as aggressive with cancer as it was with me,” he says.

And through it all, he was never truly alone. His husband stood by his side. His medical team treated him like more than a patient, they fought for his future. And then there was Missy, the once-abandoned cat who adopted Douglas as her own. She kept vigil at his bedside, curled up against his stomach, refusing to leave his side until his strength returned. She was a quiet guardian, a healer in fur, and a reflection of Douglas’ own survival instinct.

Today, Douglas is in remission. He still faces ongoing health challenges, neuropathy, digestive issues, and the ever-present fear of recurrence, but he embraces each day with purpose. He pours himself into restoring antiques, creating art, and caring for his remaining Sphynx cats that he rescued, who brings him joy and comfort.

His “Legacy Lane” portrait - playful, poignant, and powerful - features Douglas transformed into a feline survivor. It’s a tribute not only to the nine lives he’s lived, but to the love, tenacity, and grace that have carried him through. It’s a reminder that strength can be quiet. That healing can come in many forms. That laughter, love, and a little bit of cat hair can go a long way.

Legacy Lane honors Douglas, a man who has stared death in the face more times than most, yet continues to live with heart, humor, and hope. His story reminds us that no matter how many lives we think we’ve used up, there is always one more worth living.

*Special thanks to the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance for making this project possible through a generous grant.