Getting a leg up on life

July 04--For any person -- especially one with an active, athletic lifestyle -- few things are more traumatic and life-altering than the loss of a limb.

For Adrienne Herrera, 31, of Pueblo West, a motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of her right leg above the knee indeed changed her life.

For the better, she says.

Three years ago, the avid runner and gym enthusiast blacked out during a motorcycle ride on Colorado 96 west of Pueblo. Her beloved Harley-Davidson bike crashed into a guardrail, and life would never again be the same for the Colorado Department of Corrections sergeant.

After 11 days in a medically induced coma, Herrera awoke in a Denver hospital with the news that doctors were unable to save her severely damaged right leg.

For a woman who embraced an active law enforcement career, motorcycle riding and running 5 miles at least four times a week, the news couldn't have come at a worse time.

"Before the accident, I was really down in the dumps following a divorce," Herrera said. "I was trying to rebuild my life and just wasn't doing that great. I was struggling."

Upon hearing the news that most of her right leg was now gone, Herrera said she simply turned to her sister and said, "How am I going to walk? How am I going to do this?"

That moment was the start of a long journey back to not only normalcy but triumph over circumstance.

Daunting future

Backed by an extremely loyal support system -- family, friends, co-workers -- Herrera began inpatient rehab at Parkview Medical Center. There, she had the good fortune to meet Dr. Steven Kinnett, an amputee at the hip who, despite using no prosthetic leg, is active in skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving and other adventurous excursions.

"Dr. Kinnett was so inspirational to me," Herrera said. "He told me there was nothing that I couldn't do just because I was an amputee."

After just a week of rehab -- and bolstered by Kinnett's motivation -- Herrera began the transition to her new life. In early 2012, she was fitted for a prosthetic limb. The independence and mobility that followed increased the quality of Herrera's life tremendously.

But it didn't last.

On two different occasions, an infection in the leg bone required Her-

rera to undergo surgical procedures. That meant a return to crutches and a wheelchair for spans as long as months at a time.

"It was like losing my leg all over again," Herrera said. "I was so independent and had to regress to crutches and a wheelchair. It was very disappointing."

Turning point

Despite a lack of prosthetic, Herrera showed her mettle by hopping back on a motorcycle for a trek west to the location of the fateful accident.

"And then once I got to the spot, which is between Wetmore and Westcliffe, I simply turned around and came home. I was a little frightened when I got on the bike but my Harley-Davidson is a passion of mine, and I wasn't about to let that go."

After returning to the prosthetic leg in April of this year, Herrera's life entered a higher gear. In May, another chance meeting, this time with a physical therapist named Jeff Hengress, gave Herrera renewed hope of returning to another of her passions, running.

"Jeff's wife is an amputee, below the knee. And he taught her how to run," Herrera said. "And I asked to learn the same thing."

Despite the fact that her prosthetic is a "walking" leg rather than a "running" type designed for athletic ventures, Herrera did indeed learn to jog under Hengress' direction -- despite many who said it couldn't be done.

"With the 'walking' leg I wouldn't say that I 'run,' but I do jog," Herrera said. "At some point I would like to get a 'running' leg, which isn't covered by insurance.

"My prostheticist, Jesse Brelsford, has been very helpful and supportive and said he would do what he can to get me that 'running' leg."

The month of May brought another blessing to Herrera's life -- an engagement and a fiance, Jason Pitonyak.

"Yes, May was a good month," she said with a smile.

Next step

As Herrera's jogging sessions became more frequent -- and her stamina stronger -- the decision was made to put her skills to the test today during the July Fourth Liberty Point 5K Run/ Walk.

"I know it sounds strange, but the accident and losing my leg actually saved my life," Herrera said. "After the accident I started going to church and found my faith, which is the main thing that has sustained me through all this, along with the support of family, friends and church family."

Although Herrera currently is on a disability income -- she did return to work for the state in an administrative capacity for a short time following the accident -- Herrera's future plans are to return to school and pursue a nursing career.

"I want to be an inspiration to others, just like Dr. Kinnett was to me," she said.

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