Annie Walton Doyle
A man who lost his hands and his legs after a frisbee accident has shared his story.
Dylan Riley, a 31-year-old from Oklahoma, never imagined that a minor scrape on his knee from playing frisbee golf could trigger a life-altering ordeal.
On an ordinary October afternoon, Riley tripped while retrieving a frisbee, leaving behind a small cut on his right knee.
A self-proclaimed ‘klutz,’ Riley didn’t think much of the injury.
Even his mother, Trina White, an infectious disease nurse, saw no immediate cause for concern.
However, within two weeks, Riley’s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a fight for his life.
Initially, Riley experienced flu-like symptoms, but things took a sharp turn when he found himself unable to move.
“The only thing I could do was turn my head and holler for my roommates to help me,” Riley explained to the Daily Mail.
His roommates immediately called 911, and he was rushed to Baptist Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City.
There, doctors diagnosed him with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, a rare and severe condition caused by the same bacteria responsible for strep throat.
Dr. Bob Schoaps, Medical Director for Specialty Critical Care and Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support at the hospital, noted how critical Riley’s situation was upon arrival.
“He came into our hospital severely sick, on death’s doorstep practically,” Dr. Schoaps stated.
He emphasized that had Riley waited any longer to seek medical attention, the outcome likely would have been fatal.
The infection caused Riley’s immune system to attack his healthy tissues and organs.
To stabilize him, doctors placed him on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine, which temporarily took over the functions of his heart and lungs.
While ECMO kept him alive, the restricted blood flow caused devastating complications.
Within days, his extremities began to turn black as tissue death set in.
Trina White received the terrifying call on November 10, 2023, informing her that her son was in critical condition.
Upon arriving at the hospital, she faced an agonizing decision.
“They immediately took me back and said, ‘We don’t have time. Do you want to put him on life support or not?’” White recalled.
She authorized the procedure, saying: “Do what you have to do and save my son.”
For five days, Riley remained unconscious.
When he awoke, his family had to prepare him for the devastating reality – he might lose limbs due to the lack of oxygenated blood while on life support.
His mother feared she had made the wrong choice.
“I was selfish. I wanted my son. I didn’t care what parts we lost,” she said.
Despite her concerns, Riley reassured her: “It doesn’t matter. The main thing is I’m still here.”
As Christmas approached, Riley underwent amputations, losing both legs below the knee.
In January, surgeons removed most of his hands, though they managed to save part of his left thumb, as well as portions of his index and middle fingers.
He retained his right palm, allowing him to hold a pen and write.
Reflecting on the source of the infection, Riley later learned that it had originated from contact with someone who had strep throat.
The bacteria had entered his bloodstream through the minor wound, ultimately leading to widespread organ failure.
Despite enduring immense physical and emotional challenges, Riley maintained his characteristic humor. “
Seeing them [his family] cry, I’m like, ‘Don’t, cause you’re going to make me cry,’” he said.
To ease their worries, he often made lighthearted jokes about his amputations, using humor to keep spirits high.
By May 2024, Riley had been fitted with prosthetic legs.
In just days, he was navigating steps and curbs, determined to regain his independence.
A year later, he resumed some of his favorite activities, including league bowling and frisbee golf.
He also began visiting other amputees in hospitals, offering them hope and encouragement.
“I can at least help them realize that this isn’t the end of it – this is just the beginning of their new story,” he said. “You can move forward and excel, or you can linger and take steps back.”
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