“Diesel” Dave overcomes adversity to cycle again

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, NORTH CAROLINA --  At the age of 43, recently retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dave Galloway thought the days of stressful and dangerous situations were long behind him. As an avid cyclist, he planned to spend the rest of his life enjoying family trips and riding his bicycle. However, an unexpected event would change his life forever.

One day during the early afternoon bicycle ride, Galloway encountered something nobody can prepare for; an erratic driver. A car in the adjacent lane to him crossed the center line and hit Galloway head on.

"I have no memory of the accident," said Galloway. "I was told that I was awake and alert at the scene and that I kept trying to stand up."

According to Galloway, the police estimated the combined impact at 60 miles per hour. Both of Galloway's legs were broken and his right knee was shattered in several places. He also suffered a pelvic fracture, five broken ribs, a broken vertebrae in his back, as well as broken bones in his left arm, wrist, hand and fingers.

Galloway would spend nearly a decade trying to recover from his injuries but his strong mental and spiritual resilience would not allow him to give up hope. During that time, however, there were plenty of struggles that he overcame.

After several months in the hospital following the accident, Galloway was finally discharged from the hospital; but to great uncertainty.

"I returned home after three and a half months in the hospital," said Galloway. "I was in a wheelchair, not knowing what my future would hold. I was pretty down."

While visiting the doctors on a routine check-up, Galloway received some devastating news.

"I visited my orthopedic doctor's office for removal of my pelvic fixators," said Galloway. "As the doctor prepared to remove them I asked if I would ever be able to ride a bike again. He responded that I'd be lucky if I ever walked again and that bike riding was out of the question. It was some of the most shocking news I had ever received."

Galloway used his shock and anger as motivation to prove the doctor wrong. He devoted himself to a strict physical therapy program. Slowly and against all odds he began to heal. Gradually he gained function back in his legs and began walking again, but he was still determined to ride again.

When he felt that he was strong enough, Galloway ordered a 3-wheeled bicycle to begin his road to start cycling again.

"I went 100 feet down the driveway," said Galloway. "I thought I was going to die at first due to how hard it was. But, I slowly built up my endurance. It was liberating."

Once Galloway built up strength and was up to the task, two of his cycling friends took him to the track at a nearby high school to help him transition back to a two-wheeled bike.

"They lifted me onto the bike, gave me a shove, and away I went," said Galloway. "I made it one lap around the quarter-mile track, and they had to catch me to keep me from falling over."

He credited his friends and family, for their understanding and continued encouragement during the whole ordeal.

"I made up my mind that I was going to get better, and our minds are very powerful things," said Galloway. "I think if you can convince yourself you can do something, you can do it."

Galloway tells his story at every opportunity to those willing to listen. He hopes to inspire someone who may be struggling and to show how mental resilience can help individuals to achieve anything they want.

"Everything happens in this life for a reason," said Galloway. "I truly believe this. And though physically I'm nowhere near where I used to be, I am a better person because of my accident."

Seven years later, Galloway says his life is almost back to normal. His injuries still hurt him every now and then but he is dedicated to ensuring it doesn't slow him down. Even so, he says reflecting on his ordeal reaffirms how positivity through adversity can make all the difference.