Injured officer determined to ride again

On March 26, PC Shane Smith a motorcycle officer assigned to the police Traffic and Highway Patrol Unit was involved in an accident in which his bike collided with a traffic barricade, causing his left leg to be severed.

In the days that followed, Smith went through an emotional roller-coaster between his recovery and the birth of his first son, both of which took place at the Mt Hope hospital on the same day.

Speaking with reporters before receiving a wheelchair at the Police Administration Building, Sackville Street, Port of Spain, on Friday, Smith, 23, said he is still the same person he was before the accident and despite the loss of his leg, he was still wholly committed to the police service.

A San Fernando native, Smith said he has had a passion for motorcycles since childhood and was determined to get a job where he could ride one for a living.

"I remembered when I was a teenager I saw a motorcycle at the Grand Bazaar flyover and I made up my mind right there and then that I wanted to be a motorcycle police officer.

"Even as an adult whenever I see or hear a motorcycle I will be breaking my neck to catch a glimpse of it. There's a certain sense of freedom that comes with riding a bike that you can't get from driving a car," Smith said smiling.

The accident which happened along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway near Samaroo Lane in El Socorro was a watershed moment in Smith's life, despite what could have been a fatal collision, Smith said he was simply grateful for surviving the crash recalling his thoughts at the moment.

He also was grateful for the assistance from passer-by Kevon Neptune who happened to see the crash firsthand and gave his assistance, saving the life of the injured officer.

Smith said he was amazed to hear Neptune, who is squeamish around insects found the strength to not only help him into his car but also pick up his severed leg.

"He (Neptune) always checks on me to this day just to make sure that I'm okay, we kept a relationship. I am most thankful for what he did for me, that is something you won't see on a regular basis.

"If it weren't for him I might not have been here sitting today. He took me to the hospital in his own personal bus and he was so traumatised by the accident, I remember he told me that he got the strength from me to pick up my severed leg, even though he told me that things like grasshoppers frightened him."

The drama for Smith did not end with his accident that day as hours after the crash, his wife went into labour with their son prompting a hurried attempt to get his wife at the same hospital he was warded for delivery.

"He was born at 10 pm in the night. One of my batch was carrying her to the San Fernando General Hospital which would have been closer to where we lived, but when she heard the news she insisted he take her to Mt Hope where I was.

"She said she wanted to see me, by the time she came to the hospital she was already in labour so all we had time to do was pray at that time and she told me she was going to name my son Mercy due to the fact I still have life and then she went and delivered."

While he did not meet his son until he was discharged four days later, Smith said he remembers the experience with clarity and draws strength from his family and spirituality in overcoming all challenges in his way.

Describing how much life has changed for him, Smith said he is still adjusting to life after the accident.

"When you wake up in the morning as a regular person with all your limbs you might just jump off your bed and start your day. Now it's different because when I wake up I have to pick up my crutches and try to get around. If I had to make a bottle of tea for my son or my daughter I have to use one crutch. I'm making it work, it's a bit hard but it's something that didn't break my vision or demotivate me at any point in time. I'm just living life.

"I am a Christian and I think the Lord gives the hardest battles to his strongest soldiers and this is just a battle. The wife that I have I know that she is there for me no matter what. Usually, I have to get up and get my food now she has to bring it for me because to move around with both my plate and my crutches might be a problem but she's there, Just looking at my family, my wife and children on a daily basis is a motivation for me, so I don't pay any mind or attention to the limb that I lost."

Smith is fully aware of the challenges ahead of him, but this hasn't dissuaded him from wanting to be part of the police service.

In fact, he says that on recovery once he receives a prosthetic leg, he is ready to not only return to work but also get back in the driver's seat of a motorcycle.

"I don't think I'm really cut out for doing office work in the station. I want to go back out in the field.

"Usually changing of the gear with a motorcycle is done using the ankle, with the bottom part of the foot, The difficulty starts from the mind. For me nothing is difficult, I will have to use my entire leg to change the gear but I will still be able to operate a bike."

Smith's story captured the attention of good Samaritan Paul Nahous who said he was inspired by the story and collaborated with a businessman to get the injured officer a wheelchair.

"This wheelchair is just a gesture, for now, the plan is to get him to the prosthetic limb programme free of charge to him and we will provide that so he can continue to serve his country and his family. I really need to thank you (Smith) for your service," Nahous said as he gave the wheelchair to Smith.

From these experiences, Smith has been strengthened through the love and support of his family, his colleagues and people inspired by his story.

Asked to give advice to other people who may have lost limbs and are struggling with their recovery, Smith encourages them to be strong despite the challenges.

"It's not the end of life. There are so many things you can still do, focus, pray and just overcome this. Life goes on and this shouldn't make you less of a person."