A young man who lost his leg in a horror motorcycle crash has shared an important message with road users after his life was turned upside down in just seconds.
Blake Peterson, 20, was left with life-threatening injuries after he crashed into the back of a taxi as it took off unexpectedly on Saturday evening, April 6.
After three resuscitations and six grueling hours of surgery, doctors decided to amputate Blake’s right leg, a decision that saved his life.
The 20-year-old was put into a medically induced coma, with his family telling him there was a possibility he would wake up brain dead or not wake up at all.
Blake didn’t realize the full extent of his injuries until he woke up two weeks later.
Blake Peterson, 20, was left with life-threatening injuries after he crashed into the back of a taxi as it took off unexpectedly on the evening of April 6.
This is the last photo Blake has of both legs after the crash on Saturday, April 6
He suffered serious brain injuries and lost all feeling in his right arm after the nerves in his spinal cord were severed in the crash.
The ‘recovery warrior’ has been sharing moments from his long physical and psychological journey back to health on his social media accounts.
From his hospital bed, Blake urged motorcyclists not to speed or weave through traffic and to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
“You just never know what’s going to happen when you’re riding a motorcycle,” he said.
“Don’t cycle, or just be aware of your surroundings if you don’t want these injuries to happen.”
Blake has started rehabilitation sessions to get his leg muscles as active as possible so he can adapt to balancing on one leg.
He has learned to stand up independently, sit down and use his wheelchair.
“I’m as positive and committed as I can be, so hopefully everything will go much faster than expected,” Blake said.
‘I still have to have one more operation on my stump and then I will have a prosthetic leg, so I’m looking forward to that.
‘I can’t wait to stand with two feet.’
The former gym junkie admitted he had bad days.
“Mental health is important, it’s a big part that most people struggle with and don’t know how to address the problem,” he said.
“If you’re having a bad day or something is bothering you, find someone to talk to. Don’t be afraid to talk, it won’t hurt you or bring down your self-esteem.’
Blake (pictured) suffered no fewer than 26 brain bleeds and lost all feeling in his right arm after the nerves detached from his spinal cord in the crash
Blake’s loved ones were warned that he could wake up brain dead after being put into a coma
From his hospital bed, Blake urged motorcyclists not to speed or weave through traffic and to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
Blake said his accident made him think about the “bigger picture.”
“I’m going to show you that during the most difficult time of your life, you can be positive through everything, there is always something positive and there is always a rainbow at the end of the story,” he said in a video on Wednesday.
‘I want to try to help people in my situation or a similar situation and try to help you be as positive about it as possible.
‘There is always light at the end of the rainbow.
a GoFundMe page has raised more than $65,000 for Blake’s recovery.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $65,000 for Blake’s recovery