BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — In the sterile halls of Washington University's Center for Advanced Medicine, Zach McCrary's routine check-up with Dr. Ian English is anything but ordinary.
Five years ago, Zach's life took a dramatic turn when a devastating work accident cost him both his legs. The memory of that day is still vivid in his mind.
"They ended up taking me to the ambulance. My heart dropped, so they got scared, so they threw me into a helicopter and flew me out to Springfield, Missouri," he recounts.
In the aftermath of the accident, this single father of three boys found himself grappling not just with physical challenges, but with dwindling hope. Ill-fitting prosthetics made every day a struggle. "I almost gave up until I heard about the surgery," Zach admits.
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Dr. Ian English is a specialist in osseointegration who performs this groundbreaking procedure that anchors prosthetics directly to bone.
"We put the implant in the bone first. The bone grows to the metal, and over three months or so, the skin heals, the muscles heal, and the bone graft inside also strengthens," Dr. English explains.
"I was able to use my femur and actually lift this leg up, which I didn't think I'd ever do," Zach says, his voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and pride.
For Zach, the procedure was nothing short of life-changing. Now able to bear over 100 pounds on his new legs, he's rediscovering a world of possibilities.
"Since I've been going to physical therapy, I've taken my first real steps," Zach shares excitedly. "I've been bragging about it 'cause I just did it yesterday."
But Zach's journey isn't just about walking - it's about soaring. Back in his hometown of Bloomington, Illinois, he's found an unexpected passion in sled hockey, joining the Bloomington Thunder. When asked what he loves about the sport, Zach's answer is simple and exhilarating: "Biggest thing, I mean, how fast I can go."
With the Paralympics in Paris on the horizon, Zach has set his sights on a new goal: to one day play for Team USA. Dr. English has no doubts about Zach's potential. When asked if it would surprise him to see Zach in the Paralympics one day, the doctor laughs, "Not at all. He's gonna be champion."
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For Zach, every step forward is a testament to the power of perseverance. He's determined to make his boys proud. "I'm capable of doing things. Why can't I be somebody that does something with a disability?" he asks rhetorically, his voice filled with determination.
Zach's story is more than just a tale of medical advancement. It's a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and a little modern medicine, there's no limit to how far we can go. If adversity truly measures a person's height, then Zach McCrary stands taller than most, redefining what it means to rise above life's challenges.
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