“No matter what happens you have to keep going”: how one 21-year-old is focused on overcoming any obstacle in his way following his amputation

Following the Back to the Future Rehabilitation Conference, which we co-hosted back in February, and because of our experience helping people who have suffered catastrophic injuries, we have focused our efforts of late on raising awareness of the challenges facing amputees.

As part of this series of content, which follows our quick guide to amputee sports and our Q&A with partner Rachel Rees, we spoke to our client Matthew Riley, 21, who unfortunately had his right leg amputated following a motorbike accident and an ill-fated stay in hospital.

He told us about his life before and after his accident, and how he is focused on overcoming every obstacle that is put in front of him.

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Before my accident I started working at a Manchester-based company called PF Johns in Manchester, in a customer service role. In my spare time I played football, went to the gym at least 4-5 times a week, spent time with my girlfriend and went out with my friends.

I had enquired about a place on a sports course at the University of Bolton and, funnily enough, on the day of my accident (28th July 2015) I had received a response saying I would be accepted based on my past academic achievements. I planned to apply when UCAS started to accept applications through clearing.

I was hoping to go on to be a teacher either at primary or secondary school - I hadn't decided yet.

That day I had a motorbike accident and broke all the bones in my right leg. I needed to have my bones pinned, but a common after-effect of this is a condition called compartment syndrome.

Unfortunately I developed the condition, but the doctors and nursing staff missed it and because of the delay in diagnosing the condition, by the time I had the operation to stop it causing any further damage, the operation did not have the desired effect.

Therefore I had a choice: have my leg amputated or keep it and have a leg that is pretty much useless. So I chose to have it amputated because I'm an active person and didn’t want to be so immobile. The amputation took place on 20th August 2015 and I left hospital on 2nd September.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced since the injury, to be honest, has been sitting around and waiting. I have had to wait until my leg’s in a suitable state to start walking and then I have had to wait for appointments when my prosthetic doesn't fit. And then again I have to wait while the prosthetic leg is made. So I’d say I've spent about 70% of the time since the accident just waiting, which is really frustrating.

The other obstacles I’ve faced are things like not being able to go out with friends on nights out, which I recently did for the first time for my 21st birthday, and getting back in shape, which I am currently trying to do as I've put on quite a bit of weight whilst I've been off my feet (or should I say foot).

People see me and say “you're so brave” or my family say they are “so proud” of me, but when something like this happens to you, you’ve just got to get on with it. Life is way too short to regret your decisions and to dwell on the past or even hold a grudge because someone has done wrong by you. No matter what challenges I have or will face, I just look forward to the future and how I can get there.

I've had to adapt my life in several ways. First and foremost when I first got out of hospital I could not get up the stairs so I had to have a temporary toilet and a bed downstairs. I lived like that until I got my first prosthetic leg.

I've had to use a bench in the bath so I can shower, and I have had a second rail put on the stairs so I have something to hold onto at all times on both sides, which makes life a lot easier. I've also had to get a new bed so it is the right height for me - luckily my dad is an upholsterer and knew someone who we could buy from very quickly. The fact that I can't get out and about that much yet means I can't really do much at the moment, but once I can go to the gym and go for walks/runs I may be able to get some normality back into my life.

I'd like to go to university, however I'm not sure what I would like to do now. I’m not sure if I would be able to do a sport course now - the course I was looking at was obviously very physical. At the moment I’m considering something to do with technology, maybe hardware as I'm good with computers but I'm still not sure.

Since the accident I've started to realise that nothing is set in stone, and that no matter what happens you have to keep going, not just for yourself but for the people who mean something to you as it affects them more than you, whether it's friends or family.

I've learnt that I have the determination and willpower to overcome the obstacles that are put in front of me and I will always try to be the best I can be for myself and everyone around me. I have also learnt that no matter what happens things could be worse, at the end of the day I'm lucky it was just my leg I lost and not my life.

I've also realised how important friends and family are. They're there to pick up the pieces and support you through your hardest times, whether it’s the friends you speak to every day and always have, or the ones who just drop in to see how you are and cheer you up. I honestly don't think I’d have got through this without them and my girlfriend, they have been so supportive through everything and I know they will always have my back no matter what.

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PotterReesDolan is currently in the process of working with Matthew on his clinical negligence case and helping him overcome the legal challenges that he faces as a result of his accident. We’ll keep you posted on Matthew’s progress as his case advances and he continues his recovery from his injury.