Posted on 07/30/2015 8:57:39 AM PDT by nickcarraway
A San Diego Police detective whose leg was amputated after a violent car crash in Alpine is back on the force.
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Im-a-Better-Man-Now-Than-Before-the-Accident-Injured-SDPD-Detective-319173171.html#ixzz3hU9pSGUQ Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook
Detective Chappie Hunter told NBC 7 this week that although he is still a few years out from feeling 100 percent when it comes to his missing leg, he is more physically fit overall and “a better man now than before the accident.”
In June 2013, Hunter was off-duty riding his motorcycle home when a teen girl driving with a learner’s permit turned left in front of him. The accident injured his arm, broke two ribs, gave him a concussion and took his left leg. Two years later, Hunter is now running a CrossFit gym in his garage, focusing on giving adaptive athletes the opportunities he had during his recovery process.
“I say this all the time, but honest to God, CrossFit saved my life,” he said. “When I hit that car, of course I don’t remember anything…but the mental toughness that couples with the physical toughness and desire to push through your hardest time is what did that for me in the accident.”
Hunter said he returned to the force one year and 29 days after his accident.
“The number one thing for me is that I wanted to come back as good if not better than when I had both my legs…I think I’ve accomplished that,” he said.
Alpine-native Lindsay Hood was born with amniotic band syndrome. It left her without her left leg.
“I pass about 15 to 16 CrossFit gyms to be here, only because it’s a unique experience. He knows my limitations and how to push me,” she said. “It’s just about making those baby steps and realizing it’s never as scary as you think it is.” Hood can now bench 280 pounds.
Hunter has plenty of members. However, for adaptive athletes, he’ll only charge them a dollar a month to train with him. He’s saving five spots exclusively for them.
“The inclusion part of the community is so much more important. To let everyone else know you can do it too,” he said. Hunter says if he ever comes across the girl involved in the accident that took his leg, "I just want to hug it out, and I want her to know it's okay. It's okay."
To learn more about Hunter’s gym, visit his website.
As a biker, the scariest part of approaching an intersection is the oncoming left-turning driver. And it isn’t just intersections; if there’s a parking lot or driveway ahead on my right, I’m looking for somebody who might want to turn left into it. These habits come with age and experience, which some younger riders never live long enough to acquire.
AMEN! Nothing worries me more on my bike than the other drivers. I can deal with animals & debris. People really just don’t “see” motorcycles. I can’t count the number of close calls I’ve had. I’m a very defensive driver on my bike, I just assume everyone is out to kill me & go from there :)
The THIRD time this happened to me, it was a COP in his patrol car. Still not sure how I kept the bike shiny side up and I remember the corner of the car brushing my pant leg.
The COP was very apologetic and a decent guy. Gave me his card and said it was up to me if I wanted to report the incident to his supervisor and admitted that is was his fault.
I let it go, no harm, no foul, but I did sell the back after that and have not ridden since.
On 2 different occasions I was run off the road by oncoming traffic engaged in passing vehicles on very straight and flat 2 lane roads...they just didn’t care that I was there.
I sold my MC after the 2nd incident and haven’t ridden since...I do miss it, but I’m just not willing to accept that I will be killed by an idiot driver like a friend of mine was.
I see good and bad drivers of all kinds of vehicles from bikes to semis. I dislike all the bad drivers of all vehicles for being jackasses who dont care about others and appreciate the good drivrrs of all kinds.
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