A police officer in the USA who was wounded in the line of duty has for the first time since he was shot got back on a quad bike. The officer has been undergoing rehabilitation since the summer of 2010 using a wheelchair and on the odd occasion a walker. His aim was to once again get back into the seat of his quad.
Kuzak has always had a passion for ATVs and had been riding for more than a decade when the shooting put an end to his hobby. He managed to get back on a quad bike thanks to the combined efforts of UPMC Sports Medicine and Mines and Meadows, who set up a plan to help spinal cord patients get back to enjoying riding quads at the RV and ATV resort.
Kuzak was told about the organisation more than a year ago and focused all his efforts into getting fit enough to launch the first outing. He said that summer could not come quick enough and he was happy to be back on a quad. Now Kuzak cannot wait to get back to doing what he loves, riding a race quad over rougher terrain and being more daring. A safety instructor helped by giving a refresher course before Kuzak headed off onto a woods trail.
The ATV Kuzak was riding had the accelerator and brakes on the handlebars and Kuzak has gained enough upper body strength to be able to ride the quad without it having to be adapted. Thankfully, Kuzak’s skills in riding were still there and he recommended the program to anyone who has suffered a spinal cord injury and wants to get back onto a quad bike. Under the watchful eye of his trainer he first mastered some figure eights on the flat and turns before then heading out into woodland in search of a bumpy trail and mud.