In early 2022, we obtained an electronic mail from Marek asking for a single shoe and pedal. Understandably this isn’t a typical request we get. We have been intrigued. What we’d come to find was the story of a outstanding particular person who, by way of unbelievable adversity, had by no means uttered the phrase “quit.” These phrases merely don’t exist in Marek’s vocabulary.
After a nasty bike accident in 2013, Marek awoke 2 weeks later to an amputated leg, damaged backbone, and paralyzed arm. That is Marek’s story.
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I collided with a tree at excessive velocity, ensuing within the amputation of my leg, a shattered backbone, full paralysis of my left arm, a number of fractures to my facial bones, and varied different accidents. After I first awoke from a two-week coma, I used to be horrified and deeply depressed. The sight of my amputated leg and paralyzed arm was overwhelming, and I could not fathom what my future would maintain. Nonetheless, after just a few weeks, a glimmer of hope appeared, and I began to contemplate the opportunity of adapting to my new circumstances. I keep in mind one of many first issues I looked for on-line whereas nonetheless within the ICU was “biking prosthetic leg.” My brother advised me that my mindset hadn’t modified and that I’d nonetheless have the ability to do the issues I liked, simply otherwise.
Within the early days of my hospital keep, I used to be unable to talk as a result of a laryngeal nerve harm, however I may whisper. I referred to as certainly one of my closest mates, crying, and requested him if I’d ever have the ability to journey a motorbike once more. He stated, “Sure, you’ll,” however at that second, neither of us knew how troublesome it could be. |
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The primary yr following my accident was extremely difficult. I needed to come to phrases with my new bodily limitations and modify to residing in a physique that was totally different from the one I had earlier than. And not using a prosthetic leg, I used to be depending on the assistance of my family members, which was troublesome to just accept and made me really feel responsible. Regardless of these challenges, I used to be decided to complete my research, and certainly one of my closest mates helped me by pushing me round in a wheelchair on daily basis. I additionally underwent two surgical procedures in France for my brachial plexus and devoted a big period of time to rehabilitation. I needed to promote my beloved bike to a pal because it appeared unimaginable for me to journey it once more. Nonetheless, I wished to remain energetic and located alternative routes to take action, equivalent to utilizing a rowing machine and studying to swim with just one leg and one arm.
A yr later, I completed my training in medical college and eventually obtained my prosthetic leg. The method of studying to stroll once more was more durable than I anticipated, however finally, I used to be capable of make progress. I started a residency in radiology and step by step grew to become extra impartial. I felt like I used to be getting my life again, however biking was nonetheless one thing I could not do. It took me over 5 years to have the ability to journey a motorbike once more. Throughout that point, I put in a variety of effort to arrange myself mentally and bodily. I frolicked rowing and biking on a stationary bike and infrequently discovered myself watching a Rudimental music video with tears in my eyes as I imagined myself driving a motorbike once more. In the future, my pal Marek contacted me and advised me he had bought an e-bike and was assured that, with some modifications, I’d have the ability to journey it. I rapidly requested him if he was positive after which went to the bike store and purchased my first electrical bike. |