An amazing story

While on my 1/2 day (7 hours) Saturday morning run, I was mulling over ( and you thought all truck drivers ever did was drive and check out the "seatcovers") what I wanted to post today.

I had a couple stories in mind but what I saw put those on the back-burner for I knew I had to tell this as it brought tears of sadness and joy to me.

I stopped for a Diet A&W rootbeer ( I have type 2 diabetes, well under control ) at my usual c-store with enough room to park my rig.

Several motorcycles were gassing up and I saw a young man with a prosthesis leg walking over to his motorcycle. I was amazed at his ability to ride with one leg missing at the knee.

I politely asked if he would be offended if I photographed him on his bike. He very pleasantly agreed and off to my truck I went to retrieve my camera.

As we chatted and and I took this photo, I asked if he would mind explaining how he lost his leg. Being that I estimated his age to be in his 30's, I figured he would tell of losing it in the war or perhaps since he was on a motorcycle, then maybe a m/c accident . The answer absolutely floored me.

He patted his left knee and said he had diabetes and had lost his leg to the disease 3 years ago.

Then he patted his right knee and said he had lost his right foot within the last year. He was waiting to be fitted with a prosthetic foot and was wearing what the called his "sock foot".


I was curious about how long he had been riding a m/c. Again the answer was not what I was expecting.

He had always wanted a m/c and after his kidney transplant 5 years ago ( he might have said "liver", but at this point my mind was on over-load), his wife wanted a m/c for herself and 1 year ago he took up riding for the first time and had recently purchased this bike for himself. He jokenly said, "I am high maintenance".

All to soon his friend was ready to go and off they went. If his story does not bring a tear to your eye, then you are truly "jaded". This young man is an inspiration to all.