 Name: Philip Sheridan
Occupation: Children's Therapist
Type of Amputation: Uni-Lateral B/K
It was the start of my seven-day vacation. My bike was clean, black bodywork shining on a bright morning. My route was a classic run to the coast, sweeping bends, climbs, crests and compressions. On an isolated stretch of road high up in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, my life changed in an instant. Negotiating a tight bend at no more than 20 mph, my back tire slipped on the road surface. Although I maintained control of the bike, I now faced anything that could come around the adjacent corner. In that moment, I watched as a fully loaded truck headed in my path at about 35 mph. There was no more than 20 yards between us before I would be facing a direct head-on impact. I chose to open the throttle and accelerate toward the looming front end of the truck to take a deflected impact on the driver's side of the cab and hopefully bounce off and away.
I hit the driver's side and went under the front wheel, literally being run over on the right side of my body from the foot to shoulder. I remained conscious and fully aware, hearing the crunch of impact and my bike being smashed to pieces. It was estimated that the final closing speed of myself with the truck was around 60-70 mph.
In the aftermath, there were multiple fractures to my right leg, fractures to my hand, wrist and arm, ligament damage to my shoulder and brachial plexus lesions. My right leg below the knee was nothing more than matchsticks of splintered bone. On my left side there was extensive nerve and soft tissue damage.
After six operations, long uncomfortable waits for X-rays, CT and MRI scans, my right leg was taken five inches below the knee.
In Britain, the National Health Service will provide free of charge prosthetic limbs according to the level of mobility and kind of life style you can justify. The Internet enabled me to research extensively the area of prosthetics to put forward reasonable proposals to the Prosthetic Service. I decided to try a College Park Venture? Foot and looking back I am glad I did.
The Venture is a foot that feels and behaves as near as possible to a real foot and ankle. Instead of having a spring attached to the end of my leg, I have a 'foot' that does exactly what I want.
The Venture has enabled me to regain the high level of practice that I enjoyed when exercising in the martial arts. Also, my snowboarding has improved as well because of the control I can exert over the edges of the board when turning.
The Venture is my day-to-day foot, whether training, walking around town, going out clubbing with friends, on horseback, or just ambling around my apartment. The Venture has encouraged me to walk in a more balanced and efficient way, so much that people never know I am an amputee unless I tell them. Family and friends all have commented on the way the Venture gives me a very natural walking gait and how my balance on all kinds of terrain, in most instances, is even better than theirs. This has had a positive effect on my self-confidence. I no longer think about the fact that I am a prosthetic user for my mobility. When the Venture goes on in the morning, I forget that I am wearing it until it comes off at bedtime. As far as I am concerned I've got a leg and foot like anyone else and that is how people see me.
At the beginning of my rehabilitation, I never considered that I would reach the level of ability I have. After setbacks and so much weakness it was difficult to imagine regaining any semblance of normality. I owe so much to the care, support and professionalism of the people who have seen me through this time.
I chose to live once I realized I was still alive. Then, each day was a trial to see what I could do with what, at times, seemed so little. It was difficult to be discharged from medical care, and realize that it was now up to me to carry on. What I realized was this: Neither happiness nor sadness can remain forever. Even ice shifts, slides and thaws. The ocean is a body of still water, moving according to the forces that act upon on it. Just so, it is possible to be still, and yet, respond according to the circumstances around you.
After two years, I think first about still being alive to tell the story. Secondly, although I am disabled, the high level of technically advanced prosthetics available has enabled me to regain my life anew.
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