The road to recovery for Mario Attard has been a long one.
The Melton resident lost his leg in a motorcycle accident on High Street in August 2023.
However, if you think that has stopped him from riding, think again.
Mr Attard only began walking properly three weeks ago, but was back on the bike a matter of hours after the operation to amputate his leg from below the knee last year
“Four hours after the operation a good friend of mine came up to see me and straight away I jumped on his bike and burnt all the bandages off my leg,” Mr Attard said.
“That’s how eager I was – it’s a passion.”
Although this has drawn mixed emotions from the people around him, Mr Attard has one thing to say.
“People say to me ‘you’re crazy’ but you only live once and if I’ve got a passion for riding, I’ll ride.”
“I’ve got a lot of support out there from riders … it’s a tight knit community.”
However, Mr Attard knows he isn’t invincible and still gets nervous when riding past the site of the incident.
“I go up and down High Street all the time now but … I flinch every time I come near that corner,” he said.
“The mental effects of PTSD never go away.”
Psychologically, Mr Attard is “like a yo-yo” as he deals with physical therapy and the change in lifestyle that comes with losing a leg.
But there is always a silver lining. Mr Attard said the support he had received since the accident was nothing short of amazing.
“My friends are always around me and never let me down … and I’ve made more friends in different groups [at rehab] so that’s been really great.”
To make the best of a bad situation, Mr Attard has set up the group ‘Drivers Watch Riders’ – a group for motorcyclists to accompany each other on the roads.
Attendees will meet in Sunshine on Fridays to emphasise safety in numbers and reduce the risk of accidents.
“It’s easier for a car to see two or three bikes rather than just one,” said Mr Attard.
In the 12 months since the accident, Mr Attard has learnt two important lessons that now guide him through day-to-day life.
“Slow and steady, I’ve learnt, wins the race.”
“Don’t give up. Simple as that. As soon as you give up, you let it get to you mentally.”
Mr Attard said this manta strengthens his resolve and helps him persevere.
“You’ll never be normal, but you have your new normal; you have to learn to live with it,” he said.
And as for any negative sentiment toward the person who sent him off the bike, Mr Attard said it was their actions following the collision, including calling for help and apologising, that have led him to forgive them.
“I’ve never spoken to the driver that hit me, but I do want to thank him because I still remember what he said to me.”
“If it wasn’t for that guy I don’t think I’d be around today.”
