I’m back on my feet, says a Denver policeman who was injured during the Nuggets procession and is now wearing a prosthetic limb.
I never felt like I couldn’t accomplish this, he said to Kelly Werthmann of CBS Colorado. I never once believed that this was going to end.
On June 15, 2023, that mental toughness was put to the ultimate test. Dodge suffered severe injuries when he was forced to work parade security at the Denver Nuggets championship celebration downtown.
The fire engine weighed eighty thousand pounds. A terrifying incident that resulted in eight operations and his left leg being amputated.
As the truck was resting on top of me… I had already trained my mind to believe that I could handle this, he remarked. I really told one of my teammates to take care of this since I’m going to be back, as I sat up and removed my equipment.
Dodge moved forward to regain ground.
He stated that I was back in the gym on July 1st after getting hit on the 15th. I had a wound vacuum, a wheelchair, and assistance getting into machines. Hoses were practically gushing out of me.
According to Dodge, setting daily goals is one of the most crucial things he does to aid in his recuperation. Physical and mental objectives to work toward each day.
On certain days, all I had to do was sprint down the stairs, reach the couch, and wrap my leg in ice, and that would be my day’s accomplishment, he remarked.
Of course, he doesn’t go alone on his road to recovery. Dodge is regaining his strength with the assistance of amazing doctors, his fellow police officers, encouraging family and friends, and elite trainers.
Dr. Mauffrey is really talented. I firmly believe that he saved my life. Regarding his Denver Health surgeon, We have a very close relationship, and I feel very grateful about it, he remarked.
And Steve Hess, who was the Denver Nuggets’ previous strength and conditioning coach, Dodge continued.
Over the past three months, he has really transformed the way I work out and taken me under his wing. I’ve developed and started working on this more quickly since I’m surrounded by good people who use the science and art of the mind. Despite having suffered a devastating accident, I feel as though I’m thriving and am making the most of my situation.
In addition, Dodge expresses gratitude to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a plethora of charitable organizations, local clubs, and individuals from Colorado and beyond who have supported him during his journey.
He remarked, It’s been great that I still get emails saying, ‘Keep it up’ and ‘You’re encouraging me.
All of it contributed to Dodge’s achievement last month when, wearing his new prosthetic leg for the first time, he confidently left a clinic.
Done, Dodge shot back. It’s accomplished because I know how much work I put into making it appear, well, effortless. But just so everyone knows, it wasn’t. It wasn’t.
It’s providing me with the motivation to perform to the best of my abilities, not only with my leg but in life overall, so that I can assist others in getting through difficult times, he remarked.
If I can help people realize that they can overcome adversity, it doesn’t have to be a life-threatening incident; instead, it might be a variety of various struggles and hardships they are dealing with.
You can get through this as long as you keep going with the everyday things that help you advance and maintain your mental toughness.
Dodge seriously demonstrates the importance of mentality by doing more than just talking the talk. And he’s demonstrating that a comeback is feasible with every step.
Dodge stated, To be honest, I was only cleared to go back and start doing some of the training today to get ready to go back to a fully operating level eventually.
