
Name: Romeo Carrano
Occupation: Firefighter and Paramedic
Type of Amputation: Left AK
In the spring of 2001, Romeo Carrano picked-up his 7 year-old daughter from school and they drove off on his motorcycle. As they drove at a steady speed, a man coming from a side street didn't see the stop sign or Romeo and crashed his car directly into Romeo's left leg.
 A near fatal accident, Romeo's daughter, Jessica, suffered a close-head injury, fractured pelvis and bi-lateral fractured femurs. She stopped breathing, but eventually regained consciousness. The accident caused Romeo to have an immediate amputation on the scene. Jessica and Romeo were rushed to the local hospital, where doctors told Romeo he suffered not only a left leg above the knee amputation, but also a splintered right leg and a ruptured spleen.
While Romeo began healing, he and his prosthetist decided to try the College Park TruStep® Foot, which has been extremely beneficial. "During therapy, my physical therapist recommended ballroom dancing as a way to strengthen my leg muscles. The TruStep foot was a tremendous help with dancing," he says. "It allowed me to balance myself much better, which was critical."
Wearing a TruStep foot has allowed him to continue the life he lived before the accident. "It really became apparent how good the TruStep foot is during this past hurricane season," says Romeo. "I was helping people reinforce their shingles on very angled roofs and I didn't have to worry about my foot hindering my ability."
Jessica has also had a successful recovery. She has been able to return to the activities she enjoyed before the accident.
As a professional firefighter and paramedic, Romeo puts his life at risk everyday helping others survive disasters. Off hours he continues his watch as a Petty Officer First Class in the Navy Reserve.
 From his career to leisure activities, Romeo has been able to maintain the same lifestyle he lived prior to the accident. Although, he is in no hurry to get back on his motorcycle, he would like to eventually get involved with charitable toy-runs.
In his free time Romeo enjoys bicycling, fishing, four-wheeling, working-out and golf.
|