Opinion Person Of The Month: Abdul Nevarez
Who are you at what is your story?
My name is Abdul Nevarez and this is my story.
My life changed in an instant on October 22nd, 2012. I was minutes from arriving home on my motorcycle, when a car swerved into my lane & caused me to crash into a pedestrian pole. I was wrapped around it with my right leg behind my head. The car never stopped. I was airlifted to a hospital 30 miles away & immediately taken into surgery to save my life. I endured multiple surgeries for my injuries: Compound fracture of left humerus, causing brachial plexus, comminuted pelvis, and torn bladder. Thankfully, my right arm was unscathed, but my left arm and left leg have severe nerve damage. My surgeons also made sure to save my tattoos! On the 23rd, I went into surgery for compartment syndrome below my right knee to save my leg. The upper leg was dead on the 24th so they amputated my right leg above the knee to save my life. I lost more than 100 units of blood, 10x the average humans hold; no other living person received that much blood in the hospital’s history & survived. I was in the ICU for the next 10 days, recovered in the hospital for 6 weeks, & came home just in time for christmas! In 2014, two years after my accident, I couldn't find gear I would rock that supported the disabled community. That's when I founded Amplife® Clothing, empowering people with and without disabilities all over the world. This wasn't enough though. With my drive to help as many people as possible, I knew I had to do so much more. Amplife® is the curated marketplace, community and resource for Everything Adaptive® & Everything Disabled®, bringing the disabled community together and empowering people worldwide.
While recovering from my near fatal hit & run motorcycle accident, I played Tiger Woods Golf on Wii and stood with my walker to hit the ball. Trying any way to get back on the greens, I went to the driving range, hitting with one arm, cane in the other arm, standing with my walker. On my 3 year accident anniversary, I played a round. 2nd hole, 2nd shot, I lost my balance and fell back, breaking my left wrist. I played 2 more holes since it was a good shot, then went to the ER to have surgery on it. I also had my drop wrist fixed during surgery so some good came out of the fall. After that, I researched for an adaptive golf cart and discovered it. It’s controlled by a joystick with one hand which allows me to steer, raise myself, even past 90°, to stand up and hit the golf ball. It’s light enough to go on the greens without leaving marks or affecting anyone’s game, and it keeps up with pace of play without issue. I kick ass golfing with one arm since I’m a right above knee amputee with severe nerve damage in my left leg & left arm!
After your accident, were you told that you wouldn’t be able to golf? If so, what kept you from letting those opinions keep you from playing again?
Golf wasn’t in the conversation after my accident. I spent the first two years after my accident trying to get a proper fitting prosthetic leg. Once I found Wade Skardoutos from Prosthetic Solutions, he made me a well fitting socket within two weeks, and I’ve been using it ever since. When I was able to stand with the walker and prosthetic leg, I knew I could golf again with one arm if I kept practicing. The practice and determination paid off because I hit two one-armed hole-in-ones at Canyon Lakes 5th on July 9th, 2020, and at Torrey Pines North Course 15th on March 20th, 2022.
You have such a powerful and positive outlook on life, where does that come from? What drives you to be who you are?
It's amazing what people with disabilities can do. It's your mindset. Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Refuse to stop. I’ve experienced a lot of struggles even since the first day of getting out of the hospital and not understanding being able to get a proper fitting prosthetic leg. I don’t want anybody else to go through that, whether they are an amputee or have a spinal cord injury. I love giving back, especially playing in charity golf tournaments to raise money for great causes.
What is the most important lesson that golf has golf taught you?
You can do anything you set your mind to. I’ve gotten stronger not only physically but also mentally because of golf, especially overcoming the injuries that I had to go through and the therapy it provides. My favorite part of the game is just coming out, meeting new people, enjoying the views, and hearing the birds laughing at you. Golf is a sport anybody could play. Doesn't matter what your injuries or your handicap. Go out there and play with your buddies.
What would you like to tell people who might be in your same or similar situation after an accident?
However you want to carry yourself. You know, you could be a victim, or could just get up and kick butt. Focus on yourself, stay strong, push yourself in the gym or do something you like to do, keep your mind off of your injury and move forward.
Social Media: @510deathcheater
Website: amplife.co