Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic emergency medicine physician Daniel Grossman, MD, suffered an injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down — but he didn't let it stop him from what he believes to be his mission in life: helping patients, according to NBC News.
Last September, Dr. Grossman and a friend took a mountain biking trip in a northern Minnesota park. While out on a trail, Dr. Grossman fell from his bike, slamming into the ground with no memory of how the incident occurred.
He said he tried to get up, but couldn't feel his abdomen. He tried to move his legs, but couldn't.
A helicopter took Dr. Grossman to the nearest ER, where he received a scan that showed a shattered vertebrae that caused irreparable damage to his spinal cord, according to the report.
Dr. Grossman told NBC News he quickly came to terms with his new reality and strived to stay as independent as possible. He learned to do simple actions, such as getting out of bed, showering and even driving.
However, his main goal was to get back to work at the hospital, and he gave himself a six-month timeline to do so — a deadline he was able to meet.
"I love being a physician. It's the only thing I ever wanted to be and it's part of my identity," Dr. Grossman said. "When I'm there I'm smiling all the time, 'cause I could have been dead. And instead, I get to practice medicine. I get to influence the lives of others. That's an incredible feeling."
While he claimed he is not as efficient as he used to be, he said his accident and subsequent diagnosis have made him a better physician and able to better connect with patients.
"The conversations have become much more intimate. I understand what they're going through and I can relate when things are scary for them," he said.
Since the accident, Dr. Grossman has made significant strides both in his career and personal life. One of the most meaningful moments he experienced recently was the chance to bike with his friend again, with Dr. Grossman on a hand bike, the report states.