Three strokes, diabetes and kidney disease.

While Robert (Bob) McKigney’s current struggles at the Life Care Center of Federal Way prevent him from walking, it’s his past struggles and how he’s chosen to help others that make the 68-year-old the Federal Way Mirror’s Citizen of the Month for February.

For years, McKigney has dedicated his life to supporting, educating and creating awareness around those who find themselves addicted to drugs, alcohol or sex. Not only has he experienced those addictions himself, he was homeless for 15 years and suffered a severe stutter.

“They tried to put me in a mental health institution,” McKigney said in an interview, referring to his parents when he was younger. “They said I’m this way and that I’d never change.”

While it took McKigney until he was in his 30s to find the help he needed – help like a public educator to help him with stuttering, reading and writing; a recovery center; and finding God – the struggle was worth it.

“My belief system is there’s always hope for somebody who is caught up in these traps – alcohol, drugs, sexual addiction, pornography,” he said.

McKigney was a lay minister for many years and is still actively involved in his church. He has written papers about recovery and one book detailing his life struggles, called “Skid Row to the Pulpit.” He’s also been interviewed through a handful of radio shows and has counseled others as a member of Three Tree Church in Normandy Park.

“He’s really quite inspiring, never gives up, always gives it his all,” said Glenda Brown, a social worker at Northwest Kidney Centers, in a news release. “In spite of having extremely fragile health, he is always concerned about others and continues to give even with his really limited mobility. We’re all kind of inspired.”

McKigney estimates he’s helped between 50-75 people recover from addiction and suggests the route to recovery is to have a “good accountability person”; go to meetings, whether that’s 12-step AA meetings or something else; and have a sponsor.

“I can cheer from my heart and I can attest to God’s grace and power given to me,” McKigney said of his support, adding that he has books and tapes for anyone who wants help recovering.

McKigney grew up in Michigan before he moved to the Northwest, saying that he “followed some drunks who came out here” and told him he could get a job and go to school, according to a news release. While eventually working as a security guard near Federal Way, their promises were otherwise empty.

His wife Ruth lives in Des Moines and works at the Federal Way Life Care Center. They have been married for 19 years.

His wife is so special, he said, she’s traveled with him to speak at prisons about his story of addiction in order to help others.

“She’s one of the top givers I know,” he said. “If you’re down and out, she will help you in any way.”

To nominate a Federal Way Mirror Citizen of the Month, contact Jason Ludwig at editor@fedwaymirror.com with your nominee and a short description about why he or she deserves to be the Citizen of the Month. Winners receive a $50 Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse gift card.