May 25, 2013 was a day a life was changed in the blink of an eye.
A hard working carpenter of 17 years decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona on April 2nd, 2013, not knowing his whole life would change in one short month, not knowing he would be 4 million dollars in debt for hospital bills and his whole life would be changed.
Barry decided he wanted to take a four day weekend break and ride his motorcycle up north for the weekend. Heading up north on I-17, around the New River exit, a man and a woman were driving an unhooked truck towing a freight (not sure what that iand decided to make an illegal U turn. The couple was not paying attention or thinking of the riders and drivers around them, while making this U turn.
Barry saw them and thought he had enough time to turn, and avoid them. He was wrong. He hit the tailgate, shot up over the truck, and had his leg pinned to the engine of the motorcycle. The driver of the truck drove away, but fortunately another pedestrian stopped and called the police. The driver told the police some impossible story that didn’t make conform to the evidence at the scene of the accident. The police only cited the driver for a couple of citations. Even worse, he couple never even apologized to Barry for changing his whole life.
Barry was transported to John C Lincoln Hospital for the injuries: a broken leg, compound fracture to tibia and fibula, a shattered hip, broken his pelvis, every rib broken, a broken right hand, a broken jaw, and a fractured cheek. He had to receive a tracheostomy tube to breath. The second week that Barry was in the hospital, more life threatening issues came his way, like he didn’t have enough. The nurse that was taking care of him did not properly care for Barry and he had received a CDEF and colon Infection. Due to this, Barry had to have his intestines and colon removed, but then the infection spread to his leg. Barry had to make a tough decision and have his leg removed. When all was said and done, one careless driving moment and improper attention from the nurse became 78 total surgeries, 74 trying unsuccessfully to save his leg.
Barry could only think about recovering, getting his motorcycle fixed and entering it for Bike Week. A Bike Week trophy would epitomize his hard work, and celebrate that he is alive and living his new life. With all custom parts to fit his new leg, Barry rides his 2008 flat maroon new custom street glide. The roads of life are endless, and you will never know when or where Barry will show up.
He quotes " You can't change what happens yesterday, all you have is today! Make great of what you have!" He is doing just that, with a great support system from his friends and family. Now Barry is dedicated to helping others lives and providing that same support. He wears shorts to show off his prosthetic leg, He tells people his story, and will gather people around and remove his leg to show that they can overcome adversity. He provides comfort, hope, inspiration and the courage required to avoid traveling down a dark path and how to survive a dramatic life changing event.
Written by Kalyn - Blue Rapture Photography
Edited by - Sean K
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