Crash Landing
Pilates Style|July - August 2020
Twelve years ago, Troy DellOrfano, 58, had a devastating mountain-bike accident that left him considering euthanizing himself. He found new life, thanks to a dedicated Pilates teacher named Denise Hart.
By Beth Johnson
Crash Landing

IN 2007 I WAS OUT TAKING A LONG BIKE RIDE WITH A FRIEND. When I wasn’t traveling for my tech job, I usually rode three or four times a week with a rotating group of very experienced friends. Each time, we’d ride anywhere from twelve to twenty miles of challenging terrain. I loved it.

On this particular day, we were biking along a ridge in a state park in central Pennsylvania, not far from my home in York, when my pedal clip wouldn’t release. I lost my balance and fell about 14 feet down a ravine onto the rocky ground. While I was falling my clip finally released and I was able to land on my feet instead of my head and neck—but my right leg just crumbled under me. Being a lifelong athlete, I was very familiar with pain; but this was pain like I couldn't have imagined possible.

My friend called 911 immediately.

My leg was sticking straight out to the side from just above my ankle. I straightened it out thinking I might lose my leg if circulation was cut off for too long. The EMTs had tied my leg to a board for support, so no one in the ER realized how bad it was until they took the board off. My leg just flopped over. People started freaking out.

FIRST SURGERY

I was rushed into emergency surgery to “plate” my tibia; the doctors were also worried that I would bleed to death internally. The fact that I still have that leg and did not bleed to death, is an absolute miracle. I ended up being black and blue from my ankle to my shoulders

Denne historien er fra July - August 2020-utgaven av Pilates Style.

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Denne historien er fra July - August 2020-utgaven av Pilates Style.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

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