【Tungs' Hospital】U.S. Teacher Regained Hope After Devastating Car Accident

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN – A 59-year-old American teacher, William, has returned home to the U.S. after surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident that left both of his legs severely crushed. Thanks to the expertise of doctors at Tungs’ Hospital in Taiwan, he not only survived but also regained the ability to walk.

William had been teaching English in Taiwan for about six months when tragedy struck. A truck ran over both of his legs, resulting in massive blood loss and severe open fractures below the knees. Rushed to Tungs’ Hospital, he faced life-threatening injuries that required immediate surgical intervention.

A team of specialists, led by Dr. Cheng Yu-Chieh(鄭宇傑) from the Department of Orthopedics and Dr. Tsai Ying-Han(蔡穎瀚) from the Department of Plastic Surgery, performed a series of critical operations. His left leg was too damaged to be saved, necessitating an above-the-knee amputation. However, doctors worked tirelessly to preserve his right leg through complex microsurgical procedures, including internal fixation and a microsurgical flap transplant. After enduring nine surgeries and more than ten hours of microsurgery, his right lower limb was saved.

William’s road to recovery was arduous. He spent over a month in the intensive care unit and another month in a general ward. Upon discharge, he was transferred to the Remaintain Prosthetics Center, where he received a prosthetic limb and underwent intensive rehabilitation. Three months of training allowed him to stand with a walker and take short steps. By the sixth month, he was able to walk independently for longer distances. In January of this year, he was finally strong enough to return to the U.S.

Reflecting on his experience, William expressed profound gratitude. “After the accident, I felt completely hopeless. But thanks to the incredible medical team at Tungs’ Hospital, I got a second chance at life,” he said. He credited Dr. Tsai Ying-Han(蔡穎瀚) for his unwavering commitment to exploring every possible treatment and the dedicated healthcare staff and rehabilitation specialists who supported his recovery.

Dr. Tsai(蔡穎瀚) emphasized that William’s case was extremely challenging. “Both of his legs suffered devastating injuries. We had to act quickly to save his life and make every effort to preserve mobility in his right leg,” he explained. “Had both legs been amputated, standing and walking would have been significantly more difficult. His trust in Taiwan’s medical system and his resilience played a major role in his recovery.”

William’s journey serves as a testament to the power of advanced medical care, teamwork, and perseverance. Though he lost a leg, he regained the ability to walk—and with it, the chance to rebuild his future.

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