Cyclist finds freedom on the open road after amputation
During a snowstorm in 1978, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran John Klotz stopped on the side of the road to assist a stranded woman. That good deed took an unpredictable turn.
Life-changing moment
A passing motorist lost control and crashed, pinning Klotz between the two cars, crushing his right leg.
Klotz, 27 years old at the time of the accident, regained the ability to walk; however, not without challenges.
“My right leg was two inches shorter, missing muscle and the infection was so bad, I had to bandage it every morning,” he said.
Klotz continued to have issues with his leg, including discomfort and lingering infection that led to amputation just below the knee in 2021 – 43 years after the initial injury.
“I was a general contractor, on my feet and outdoors constantly,” he said. “The leg gave me problems and back pain, so it was no big deal when I got it amputated.”
Making the adjustment
Klotz had been using private insurance and, after learning he needed the amputation, he contacted VA.
“That was the best thing I ever did,” he said. “Once they began my care, they’ve done an exemplary job.”
Klotz, now 72, works with his physical therapist at the Jewell VA Clinic to achieve a normal gait with his walking prosthetic.
“I don’t see this as a disability,” he said. “In fact, it’s an improvement. I was 5 feet, 10 inches on the left; not sure where I was on the right. I have an advantage now. They can adjust the length of my leg.”
Maintaining good humor, Klotz credits his wife of 52 years and their two children for his strength and positive outlook.
Freedom through cycling
Klotz faced another turning point when he took a friend’s recumbent bike for a spin. He enjoyed the feeling, and the bike’s reclined design meant Klotz didn’t have to worry about balance. He shared this experience with VA staff.
“Physical Therapy jumped at the opportunity to help me,” he said. “They got me a bike, and I started riding.”
When Klotz’s walking prosthetic made riding uncomfortable, his VA physical therapy team designed a customized prosthetic leg just for cycling.
“That’s how dedicated these guys are,” said Klotz. “The whole program has been phenomenal. It’s opened up so many things for me.”
The open road life
Klotz, who hadn’t biked since he was 16 years old, now rides most weekends and enters cycling events. His bike is equipped with battery assist, which helps on steep inclines yet still requires pedaling.
“This is one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done in decades,” said Klotz. “I wake up every morning and count my blessings.”
Klotz participated with numerous other disabled cyclists at a 2023 adaptive sports event, where he rode 108 miles.
“I saw folks in wheelchairs, pushing with their arms,” he said. “It’s almost overwhelming to witness the camaraderie and how different individuals deal with their disabilities.”
Klotz, who has logged more than 1,000 miles on his bike since June 2023, said he’s growing stronger and loves the freedom of being outdoors, feeling the wind on his face and enjoying Colorado’s breathtaking views.
“My friends tell me I’ll get bugs in my teeth if I don’t quit smiling,” he said.
For more information on VA’s rehabilitation and prosthetic services, visit Amputation System of Care.
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April Love is a writer-editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force. She began working for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in 2016 and lives in Aurora, Colorado.