"Us racers" are a different breed. We are competitive, sure, but we are goal-oriented, never-give-up people and it applies to everything we do.

Well, I've been around "us racers" all my life and that goal-oriented, never-give-up attitude is a valuable asset.

"Us racers" are a different breed. We are competitive, sure, but we are goal-oriented, never-give-up people and it applies to everything we do.

Well, I've been around "us racers" all my life and that goal-oriented, never-give-up attitude is a valuable asset.
 
I recently had my first child, and I enjoyed him every day until last month when I was involved in a freak car accident that left me in the hospital and in bad shape. I was in such bad shape in fact that they kept me pretty much knocked out for the first week or so to determine my true condition.

It was only a 30 mph accident but it was one of those bad deals. During that first week they discussed amputating my left leg below the knee and myriad other options.  The left leg itself was pretty messed up, with breaks in 10 places, and the left foot was severely damaged from compression.  

I woke up at the end of that week and remembered what happened.  I was trapped in my Dodge Viper by my feet, which were wadded up in the floor pan for about 40 minutes.  Firefighters were working hard to get me out - they were cutting everything, and it was a mess.  I watched and was conscious the whole time.  I was also very aware of the great pressure that was crushing my feet and holding me in the car and very aware that staying conscious was important.  But when I heard one firefighter say, 'I give up, nothing is working,' the "never quit" racer in me spoke up, I was not going to lose my legs.  Despite being in severe pain, I tried to speak with a calm voice so they would listen.  I asked them to bring flashlights over and I told them I knew the car and how it was built and how they could get me out of it.  I told them my idea of how to use the tree that came in the car as a foothold and a cylinder power pack to get my feet out. They listened and I was out in 10 minutes.  The fact they were open minded and would listen saved my legs.  

The fact that I am one of "Us racers" and we never give up saved me from amputation at the scene.

But my feet had serious damage.  Doctors were not optimistic, but for some reason over the next few days my feet began warming up and coming back to life with good circulation and color, so amputation was taken off the table and a move to save my leg and feet came into play.  They brought in a specialist, Dr. Kevin Palmer, who after several surgeries pinned and screwed me back together.  He is a true miracle worker to me.

I was then told I would be in the hospital for two months or more for recovery and physical therapy and go through at least three months of home therapy before I could walk.  I was not fond of that timeline at all.  I told them that wasn't going to work for me.   I didn't want to miss any more of my son growing up.  So once again the racer in me got going.  I did physical therapy pretty much 24/7, and I wore myself out passing their clipboard tests, but the hard work paid off. I was released in three weeks instead of two months.  Everyone was amazed.

It’s been 40 days now and I am once again ahead of schedule.  I am about to transition from the wheelchair to crutches.  I originally promised doctors I would be walking before my son walked.  A month earlier no one would've bet on that.  My plan is for the first week of January, but my fiancée just got our son a walker so I may need to step up my game or there may be some trickiness needed to win this one. But that's ok, because us racers are good at that, too.  I plan on winning.

Seriously, at this point it looks like a 100 percent recovery.  Thanks to the hundreds of people who sent their well wishes, prayers and support to me.  It really helped motivate me and keep my spirits high. Us racers are good at supporting and helping each other, too.

The doctor said 'you are a miracle, that's for sure. With anyone else that left leg was a goner and you surprised us all by hitting your goals to get out in such a short time frame. But, he said, 'there is one thing you will fail at (the racer in me was instantly lit up).  He said 'you now have no chance of getting through airport metal detectors.'  

I told him that was a trade I'd gladly make to be able to walk with my son. I then thought to myself, 'I hope my son wants to be a race car driver.  We are good people.'