Motorcyclist Reveals Hopes For Future While Supporting Limb Loss Awareness Month

A motorcyclist from Preston has spoken of his determination to rebuild his life after he underwent a leg amputation following a road traffic collision.

Samuel Keeble sustained severe injury to his left leg and suffered serious blood loss, when a car collided with his motorcycle in Rochdale in 2015.  He was thrown from his bike and landed on the road 20 yards away. 

Almost three years later, Samuel’s left leg was amputated below the knee.

Following the collision, he instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access the specialist rehabilitation, support and therapies he requires.

Samuel, 27, has now joined with his legal team in supporting Limb Loss Awareness Month by speaking out on his recovery so far and how he hopes to get his life back.

Expert Opinion

“Through our work, we often come across people who have had their lives turned upside down and are left with devastating injuries following road accidents.

Samuel has shown such bravery and courage whilst he continues with his recovery, and we are determined to support him by helping him access the specialist care and treatment he needs to make the most of his life.

Limb Loss Awareness Month is important to highlight the help available to people affected by such issues and also to recognise those who have made remarkable progress following serious injury.”
Claire Newstead - Partner

Former university student Samuel had been travelling to his new home in Chorley when a car collided with his motorcycle on Spotland Road, Rochdale, on 30 April, 2015.  He was due to move in with his fiancée Catherine and start a new job the following day.

The driver of the car was convicted of driving without due care and attention.

Samuel was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital where he underwent surgery to his left leg.  He remained in the high dependency unit until being transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital on 4 May for further surgery.

He was discharged from hospital on 18 May and went to live with his dad and stepmum in Halifax as he needed full time care.  He saw a physiotherapist weekly and began to regain some mobility with help from walking sticks and a wheelchair.

However, he suffered from a series of infections and by November 2017 he was told that his injury had not fully healed.  As a result, on 23 March, 2018, Samuel’s left leg was amputated.

Since the operation, Samuel suffers from low back pain and has phantom pains around the site of his amputation.  He also has pain in his neck and shoulders, and endures high levels of fatigue.

Despite this, he has made significant progress in his recovery, with help from an i-walker knee frame and wheelchair to maintain his mobility as much as possible.  He also continues to attend physiotherapy and is keen to get involved with wheelchair sports.

Samuel, who sometimes wears a prosthesis, said: “I remember everything that day.  I was on my way to start a new life, and the next minute I was knocked off my bike and in terrible pain.

“It has taken a long time to get myself to where I am today, but I am determined to try and get as much of my life back as possible.

“Since my amputation, I have been on a lot of websites and forums and have tried to get involved with as much activity as possible as this helps with my mental wellbeing.  I have been to a limb power event, and I was able to do a little bit of rock climbing in America, adapting the way I did this without my prosthesis.

“I am now focused on getting into wheelchair basketball and snowboarding.  I have also been able to try out volleyball, archery and javelin, I have been able to see the potential benefits of them all and how adaptable they are.”

Samuel, who married Catherine in December 2015, is also keen to get back into work.

He added: “Prior to the accident, it was always my wish to work with animals, and I have now been given the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship in this area.

“I hope this will help me get towards my goal of being a veterinary nurse which is what I really want to do.

“I know it may be a struggle, especially if I require further surgery which might lead to an above the knee amputation, but my focus is to make a life for myself and Catherine.

“I am determined not to be defined by the loss of my limb; I am only shaped into the person I’m meant to be.”

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