Motorcyclist who lost leg: ‘IU Health saved my life’

A Terre Haute resident was airlifted to IU Health following a tragic motorcycle accident. This month marks seven years since he began a months-long recovery.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

Like the long winding Parke County road where his motorcycle came to rest, Anthony “Tony” Mayes reflects on his path to recovery. It was a warm September day, perfect conditions for Mayes to head out on a Sunday ride toward Turkey Run State Park.

“We got up to the park entrance and there was a truck pulling a trailer. The next thing I knew a car came into my lane and I had no way out,” said Mayes, 65. “I was afraid of going left and getting t-boned or going right and facing trees and a cliff.”

He remembers laying on his side, people storming around him and a little girl holding his hand reassuring him help was on the way. It was mid-September 2017. The bike accident was Mayes’ second. In April 2001 a throttle cable opened up and he shot across a yard, hitting his head on a fence. The second accident on his blue 2013 Harley Road Glide landed him in IU Health Methodist Hospital. Among the most severe injuries were to his left leg.

“The doctor came out after my surgery and he said, ‘Well, Mr. Mayes, the surgery went well, but you’re going to need to go through several more surgeries and after that you likely won’t walk without pain.’”

The other option was to amputate the leg. “I said take it off. I never liked that leg anyway,” said Mayes. His doctor had him think it over and came back to his room the next day. Mayes talked about his family and how he wanted to spend time watching his grandchildren growing up and he didn’t want to live with that pain. He is one of eight children; seven are still living along with his mom. He also has four children and seven grandchildren.

“I can’t say enough about IU Health. The doctors saved my life and all the nurses treated me so well,” said Mayes. He was hospitalized for a month and then went into rehab.

At the time, he was employed at a printing company. In a matter of a few weeks, he lost his job and his leg.

“I remained positive. I think things happen for a reason. In rehab I learned to transfer from bed to shower, to independent care. I used a walker and was fitted for a prosthetic,” said Mayes. “Before long, I just go up and I was walking again. I taught myself to stand in one spot for hours to get used to the socket. I used crutches and then a cane, and then one day I just put it down and walked.”

He speaks out now to encourage others.

He is working part time at a garage door company and has become a prosthetic model for NuTech Institute, an Indianapolis company that provides orthotics and prosthetic services including research and clinical support. In his role he tries on different prosthetics and provides feedback.

Mayes has also started a support group for those with amputations.

“It’s important for people to connect with others who have gone through this and to know that life goes on,” said Mayes. He spends his day walking laps at the local park, working out at the gym and completing 40-mile bicycle rides.

As for his motorcycle riding: “Those days are over. I was in Florida, and you can rent motorcycles, but I won’t even do that. I have nothing against motorcycle riding but that would be taking a risk that could hurt my family.”