Life & Work with Chris Gifford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Gifford.

Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’d like to start by saying thank you to the Nashville Voyager for taking the time to talk one on one to learn a little more about me.

I was born and raised in Tupelo, MS. I grew up just outside of Tupelo in a small community called Auburn. You wouldn’t have missed much as our home was surrounded by trees and wooded areas in all 4 directions. It was so peaceful. They had this gas station/restaurant called Hardin’s Country Store, you’d have to sit down and try it before you knock it. “It’s just that good ole country-style food that everyone loves in the south.”

Growing up as a kid, I loved the outdoors. I still do! It’s where you can find peace in all your troubles. Whether it be hiking, on the water, or in the woods, you will find peace. I grew up in baseball. Baseball played a big part in my life as a kid. It seemed like every weekend I was on a field somewhere. My grandparents and my parents loved the sport and I grew to love it just as much as they did.

After I graduated high school, shortly after enrolling in a Community College, adulthood struck. At the age of 19, I was blessed to be a father. Ever since that day, my life has changed. I was still a kid and had to learn how to be an adult, and very fast. So, I left college and began my first full-time job. Around 2011, I moved to another city close by and was working in the same field as my uncle. We worked together for about 2 years, then he accepted another job as a clinician in Tennessee. Well, a few months go by and the same company sent me an offer letter. So, in 2013 I moved me and my family to Spring Hill, Tennessee where we began another life in another state.

And man, that’s rough. Having the rest of your family back home, it was tough. I had to learn to adjust and get comfortable. After about a year I just could not handle it, so we moved back to Tupelo. I lived in Tupelo for another 5 years, and in the meantime, my uncle opened up his practice in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. So, in 2019, I moved back to Tennessee to Murfreesboro to join my uncle once again. Ever since 2019, a lot of things in life have changed. Some good, some bad. “But hey, you can’t have all good with no bad, there has to be something negative in there somewhere.”

I guess whenever Covid struck us all, and being in the medical field, we got put out of work, so my time began making content on social media. At first, I thought it was dumb, but then it just kind of happened within a week and it just kind of blew up. I just enjoy putting content out there that relates to everyone and what might be going on in their life and engaging with those people to connect with them.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing is ever smooth… I can promise you that. My life has been a roller coaster ever since having to become a father at a very young age. Of course, you’ll have some major bumps in the road, but I managed.

In March of 2013, my huge family lost a wonderful woman, my aunt, and my little cousin. That took a big toll on my family. “Being from the South, family is EVERYTHING.”

In March of 2020, we lost my grandfather. “Now, my grandfather wasn’t just my papaw, that man was my father as well. And he was my rock.” I won’t ever forget the last 4 words he told me before I said my goodbyes to him. “I love you, son.” That hits me hard still to this day.

Then in October of 2022, we lost my grandmother. She was everyone’s favorite. And that woman was like my mother. She did everything for me, and never asked for anything in return.

“So yeah.. my life has pretty much been every bit of nothing but bumpy gravel. Maybe one day we’ll see some freshly paved asphalt.”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work for Middle Tennessee Orthotics & Prosthetics. Our clinic is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We have been open since 2016. We specialize in artificial limbs “Prosthetics” for amputees along with Orthopedic Bracing. I am a Pedorthist, so I work a lot with the Ankle/Foot region. I work with a lot of diabetic patients.

I think what sets us apart is the fact that we are in this business for the people of our community and surrounding areas to help them regain the mobility that they once had or to be of their assistance to help them walk again after having an amputation. There are times when they can’t travel 50-70 miles to our office for us to see them, so we will offer to go and see them. “It’s just a generosity that we provide just so that we can help.”

We just recently went on our first mission trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic where we assisted and fit 15 new prosthetic devices for amputees there in that area. And wow, just WOW. “What an experience it was to just be able to give back and help to less fortunate.” You know we will don’t realize how much we have it made here until you see the things that they have over there.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
“There’s a lot to do around here. You will not be bored. The scenery is nice once you get out of town. But I will say this, the traffic is ridiculous. It’ll take you 20 minutes to get 2 miles down the road.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chrisgiffordofficial?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.gifford.524?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisgiffordofficial?_t=8cNqFmb26TC&_r=1