Man Who Nearly Died In Car Crash Finds Love With The Woman He Was Supposed To Go On A Date With The Day He Lost His Limbs
A fitness fanatic who nearly died in a horror car crash has found love with the woman he was meant to go on a date with - on the day he lost his limbs.
Craig Towler, 32, of Boulder, Colorado, was grabbing a cooler out of his trunk on the Fourth of July in 2016.
A car veered into a parked car, trapping him between the two vehicles and crushing both of his legs irreparably.
In the hospital, while doctors discussed his double amputations, Craig asked a friend to let his new love interest Amanda, 30, know that he wouldn't be able to make the date they had planned for that evening.
The pair had only been seeing each other for three weeks, but Amanda rushed to Craig's bedside and, three-and-a-half-years later, they are still together.
Craig Towler / SWNS
"I looked down and I saw both my legs were disconnected," he said. "They were pretty much broken off with just skin holding the ligaments together."
Craig, an events coordinator, added:
"I honestly didn't know what to expect but she was there immediately, no questions asked and I knew she would be the one for me."
In the following months he endured nine surgeries and intensive physical therapy.
"Amanda was with me more days than not," he said.
Eight months after his release from the hospital the couple moved in together.
Craig said:
"Amanda was a big part of everything. We are extremely happy."
As devastating as Craig's incident was, he believes it brought him closer to Amanda.
Craig Towler / SWNS
He said:
"It 100 percent helped to have a partner there in such a hard time…with so many emotions going on."
"It shows a lot about that person, to be so comforting for someone who is in that much distress."
"In that short period of time I quickly learned how selfless and kind she is, especially considering the shape I was in."
Remembering the day of the accident is still traumatic for Craig.
He said:
"I was bleeding out so badly from the impact of the car bumper. The impact was extremely concentrated on my legs. They were crushed and they were hanging there, but not fully gone."
"I didn't realize at the time what had happened, but I knew something had happened that was major. Some people came by and helped lay me flat on the ground."
Craig Towler / SWNS
Shockingly, Craig was still conscious and was able to speak.
"I instructed them how to tie tourniquets around my legs with belts or whatever they had to stop the bleeding," he said.
Craig's injuries were so severe that he had to be airlifted in a helicopter to the trauma center at Denver Health Medical Center.
"I was conscious the entire time and I remember everything until being sedated for the surgeries," he said.
"I still have those memories and sometimes things trigger them."
Doctors told Craig that if they did not amputate his legs from the knee down, he would bleed to death.
"It was either life or limb," Craig said.
"I was bleeding out so badly that I could have died. I remember telling the doctor: 'You know what, just do what you have to do.'"
His right leg was amputated at the knee and his left leg was amputated below the knee.
Craig Towler / SWNS
But Craig was determined that he would not let the tragic accident dominate his life.
"When I was in ICU I made a very conscious decision," he said.
"I was talking to my mom and I said I need to accept what had happened and that it was real. Only once I had that acceptance could I move forward."
"Though my path was a different one and a lot more challenging, I was still alive, and I decided to live."
Craig spent his 29th birthday, on July 20, 2016, getting 87 staples removed from his legs.
In September 2016, just a little over a month after being released from the hospital, he went back to work.
Before he lost his legs, Craig was a sports enthusiast and regularly took part in 10k runs.
Craig Towler / SWNS
He and Amanda first met at their local gym, where she worked as a fitness trainer.
"It took a while for me to get the guts to talk to her. I actually would schedule my workouts around the time when she was working," he admitted.
"I would say 'hi' and 'bye' and finally I walked up to her. It was a slow process for me."
“I'm really happy that I finally did it."
Before his horrific injuries Craig aimed to participate in BOLDERBoulder, a popular race that takes place every Memorial Day in Colorado.
Just ten months after his amputation, he completed the race in his wheelchair.
Craig Towler / SWNS
He has now participated in the race three times. He also kayaks, skis, hand-cycles and rope climbs, as well as working-out regularly in the gym.
He said:
"What has happened is now part of me, but I don't lose sight of what I was before and I've found a happy balance."
Craig has since founded Amputee Concierge, a program offering people who have lost limbs advice, support and information on life as amputees. More information can be found at www.amputeeconcierge.org.
Craig Towler / SWNS
As for his relationship with Amanda, Craig said:
"I definitely see a future. As with everything else, we take things day by day."
5-Year-Old Afghan Landmine Victim Does The Most Joyous Dance After Getting His New Prosthetic Leg
A heartwarming video of a five-year-old Afghan amputee joyfully dancing on his new prosthetic leg is going viral across the internet.
Ahmad Rahman was just eight months old when he lost his right leg while caught in the middle of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan National Army in the Logar province of Afghanistan.
Although Ahmad has had a series of prosthetics, up until now the poorly fitted devices were too short or uncomfortable and his mobility was still severely limited.
Recently though Ahmad received a new prosthetic from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and he couldn't help but dance for joy.
Now the video of Ahmad's beaming smile and cheerful celebration is going viral across the internet for its pure joyful innocence.
Ahmad received artificial limb in @ICRC_af Orthopedic center, he shows his emotion with dance after getting limbs.… https://t.co/KyQBgPhJcZ— Roya Musawi (@Roya Musawi) 1557125859
The video of Ahmad was taken by Mulkara Rahimi, a physotherapist working at the ICRC orthopaedic clinic in Kabul.
Rahimi, who spoke to the Press Association said she has known Ahmad "from day one" of his treatment.
Aside from dancing, thanks to his new leg Ahmad can now go to school.
"If there was any fight in school he could not run away like other kids." Rahimi said.
"So they didn't accept him. This kid doesn't go to school and doesn't have access to basic needs. Sometimes they don't even have food to eat."
Rahimi explained that unlike his new leg Ahmad's previous prosthetics caused him pain.
"Every time his prosthetic leg was either short or uncomfortable and was hurting his leg."
Ahmad's new leg however doesn't have the same problems.
"The fourth time it was not hurting him… he was happy that he can dance without any pain any more."
Now Ahmad can walk, go to school, and of course dance.
People across the internet were moved by Ahmad's spirit, joy and determination.
@SamarMinallahKh I saw this a few minutes ago in gym and lot of guys were Afghanis.All were gathered to watch him a… https://t.co/Fq7H3PKciQ— Osama Zia Bismil (@Osama Zia Bismil) 1557168586
This boy sums up #Afghanistan and #Afghans with his joyful dance. Despite all the suffering Afghans prove their res… https://t.co/s8UjGh0noK— Muzafar Ali (@Muzafar Ali) 1557205780
@SamarMinallahKh https://t.co/TxRirc3LCx— Shahid Irshad (@Shahid Irshad) 1557191449
@ICRC The most victorious video I have ever seen. The overwhelming capacity of the human spirit, to not only surviv… https://t.co/yobFCADJ4M— Jessica Ramey-Gillam (@Jessica Ramey-Gillam) 1557206041
@SamarMinallahKh Thank you for sharing. If that can’t bring smile on your face then nothing can...— Lostmyusername (@Lostmyusername) 1557214372
@tictoc This is beautiful and so sad all at once. God bless him.— Nelly (@Nelly) 1557417349
@tictoc What a cutie! If only humanity had the joy of children.— Una Rose Ⓥ (@Una Rose Ⓥ) 1557421287
Unfortunately stories like Ahmad's are all too common in Afghanistan these days.
A total of 3,062 cases of child casualties were reported from Afghanistan in 2018 while 2017 saw 3179. https://t.co/2sWTF57jBk— News18 Buzz (@News18 Buzz) 1557218829
A landmine took Ahmed's leg. This is the moment he got back on his feet. Over 4,000 civilians were killed or i… https://t.co/XfIDFSsUge— ICRC (@ICRC) 1557144062
According to Rahimi injuries like Ahmad's are "very common," but most don't receive the same attention as Ahmad.
Rahimi says there are "plenty of other patients whose stories need to get viral."
"Our message to the world is: that you can take away our legs from us but you can't kill our spirits. For all those who create war we want to declare peace."
A Disabled Veteran Stopped to Help Colin Powell on the Side of the Road and Their Interaction is Giving Us All the Feels
Anthony Maggert was driving down the Capital Beltway on Tuesday, January 22, when he noticed someone kneeling curbside, replacing a flat tire on his car: former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Maggert, who has long held an admiration for Powell, immediately pulled over and helped the former general.
Afterwards, they snapped an adorable selfie that inspired in both its subjects a hope for America and its future.
It turns out Maggert wasn't just aware of Powell's identity—he's a fan. The army veteran has read all of Powell's books, and was continually inspired by the general's sense of calm during Maggert's 23 years of service, which included three tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.
During his final stint of duty, a flesh-eating caused an infection on Maggert's leg. Before long, the limb had to be amputated, but that hasn't stopped the veteran for keeping an upbeat view of the world.
Maggert described his encounter with Powell (81) to the Washington Post:
"Such a gentleman. I hope when I'm [that age], I'm as spry as he is."
Later that day, the veteran took to social media to write a message to Secretary Powell:
"Gen. Powell, I hope I never forget today because I'll never forget reading your books. You were always an inspiration, a leader and statesman. After 33 years in the military you were the giant whose shoulders we stood upon to carry the torch to light the way and now it is tomorrow's generation that must do the same."
@CNN This is how we can be! This is not fake news or fake anything. This is real humans caring for each other-like General Powell says.— Sue Butcher (@Sue Butcher) 1548554284
Twitter users were inspired by the pair's respect and admiration for each other:
@CNN Please take a moment to read! This is what America is all about.— Elizabeth Prior (@Elizabeth Prior) 1548416791
There's no doubt these two represent some of the best things our country has to offer.
@CNN Be the change people, be the change— Sparkle Hard (@Sparkle Hard) 1548381122
Also, Mr. Powell might want to invest in AAA.
@washingtonpost Colin doesn't have roadside assistance?— Lawrence Williams (@Lawrence Williams) 1548460893
Powell would later respond to Maggert with a public Facebook post:
In his post, he wrote:
"Thanks, Anthony. You touched my soul and reminded me about what this country is all about and why it is so great. Let's stop screaming at each other. Let's just take care of each other. You made my day."
This is the best from General Colin Powell🇺🇸 https://t.co/MUCoEcU8Ew— Sara Small (@Sara Small) 1548366152
The message resonated with many Americans.
@SaraSmallTV American Heroes!!!! Keep teaching the world how to be nice and courteous. This gives hope!— BigRuck (@BigRuck) 1548461122
There's so many things to love in our country, none more important than the common decency of two people whose mutual respect is all too obvious. Reading their story, many American citizens feel there may be hope for our country after all.
@thehill Two great Americans, Anthony Maggert and Colin Powell. Semper Fi, gentlemen. You both have my respect.— Coyotus Resistus (@Coyotus Resistus) 1548468281
Of course, the real story of the day went almost unnoticed:
Thanks for making our days, Mr. Maggert and Mr. Powell. We hope your tire remains fixed for a long time to come!