Teen who lost leg starts walking again for Christmas

A promising teenage footballer, who lost both his lower legs after a car accident, is home from the hospital and on his way again to celebrate Christmas with his family.

Adam Golebiewski was 17 when he was injured in a crash in Macduff, Aberdeenshire in September.

He celebrated his 18th birthday while undergoing rehabilitation in hospital in Aberdeen after undergoing a double amputation and being fitted for prosthetics.

He told BBC Scotland News that he was “grateful and grateful” to have succeeded in his ambition to be home by Christmas.

Adam, an apprentice builder from Banff, was in the car that crashed on Macduff Union Road on the morning of Sunday 8 September.

Police Scotland said a 19-year-old man was later charged in connection with the crash.

Three other teenagers were also injured in the accident.

Adam was taken to hospital, where his legs were amputated below the knee.

The football-obsessed goalkeeper – whose manager at junior team Deveronside described him as having great potential – underwent almost three months of intensive rehabilitation at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen.

The teenager, who is one of four siblings, previously told BBC Scotland he was fair-minded happy to be alive,

Now back home, he is hitting the gym and considering his future sporting options.

He described walking again and getting home as “the best feeling”, and said he was “so excited” when he stood up for the first time.

Adam said the first weekend at home was hard because it was the first time he sat down and talked properly about the accident.

“I just thought in my mind: ‘Why was it me? Why did this happen to a guy who was trying to do well in life?’

“It’s a little strange to walk already. I was very happy to get out. I’m very happy with them (prosthetics), I get to do normal things again.

“If I’m with people I’m the happiest person alive. I’ll smile even when I cry.”

Adam said his goal was to try new things, including sports he would never have tried before the accident.

“I had to endure three months of pain being stuck in the hospital, but I am home now, so that’s the most important thing,” he said.

“People say we’re so proud of you, you should be proud of yourself. I’m just like ‘I am’ but I’ll keep it to myself.”

Adam has become something of an unintentional local celebrity as people try to keep track of his recovery.

“I can’t even walk five steps without people coming up to me and asking how I’m doing,” he said.

He was recently invited to a special celebratory service at St Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen by Andrew Simpson, Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire.

Mr Simpson said: “When I heard about Adam’s progress I wanted to invite him in.

“It was wonderful, the theme of the service was empathy. Adam was the right person to be there. He’s got great support.”

Adam’s mother and father, Joan and Adam Sr., said that renovations have been made to the home to help him when he is using a wheelchair, such as removing doors.

His father said, “It’s great to have him back, he was ahead of the game.”

Adam’s lawyer Lisa Gregory described him as “one of the most positive individuals you could hope to meet”.

She said: “Considering his injuries, we are all overwhelmed by his spirit and resilience.

“However, those injuries are life-changing and we now need to make sure Adam gets the medical, emotional and financial security he needs so he can live his life to the fullest and maintain his positivity.”

Adam was assisted at the hospital by orthopedic rehabilitation physiotherapist Owen Cairns.

“Everything he did, he helped me with everything and got me back on my feet before Christmas, which was my goal, I couldn’t be more grateful for that,” the teen said.

“I was a little nervous about going when Owen and I were talking about football.”

He said he appreciated the help of everyone at the hospital.

“They made me feel special there, even though I was just a guy from Banff who got there.”

He is now looking forward to the Christmas celebration at home, just as he had dreamed of.

Asked what his hopes were for how it would go, Adam said: “To enjoy it like every other Christmas, and spend time with my family.

“We’re going to my grandmother’s.

“I’m sure I’ll enjoy this and opening presents.”

He added, “They still see me as the same person. I’m still the same, I just don’t have legs anymore.”