Jake Baker, who lost his left leg below the knee after surviving a motorcycle crash, was excited about the prospect of getting a prosthetic device late last month. Photo provided
By Jan Engoren
Jake Baker’s world turned upside-down on Sept. 27. That’s when the Delray Beach resident and FAU alum was in Pompano Beach on his 2020 Ducati Monster 797 motorcycle. When he crossed the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Northwest Sixth Avenue, a driver ran a red light and crashed into him.
“My life changed in the blink of an eye,” says Baker, who was wearing a helmet when he was hit. “I was doing everything right and this still happened.”
Baker, 31, was rushed to Broward Health North Hospital with multiple injuries, including an ankle broken in five places and a severe injury to his left foot and ankle, where the top layers of skin and tissue were torn away from the underlying muscle and bone.
He spent 35 days in intensive care, another 10 in the inpatient therapy unit and underwent six surgeries. Despite the doctors’ efforts, they were unable to save Baker’s left leg and had to amputate below the knee.
After Baker was discharged from the hospital, he fell at home, reopening an incision, and had to spend another week in Delray Medical Center.
“It’s been a long, tough road, mentally, physically and emotionally,” he says.
Baker is excited because his first prosthetic prototype was ready to be fitted and he hoped to walk out of the clinic late last month on both legs rather than rely on crutches or a wheelchair. He worked with a physical therapist to prepare his leg for the device and will work again with a PT two to three times a week to learn how to walk confidently and get back to his normal activities.
Another part of his recovery is his mental health. He is doing what he can to stay positive. After his initial hospital stay, he worked with a counselor for two months, but in the New Year his insurance deductible reset and he was unable to meet the $200 co-pay. Baker says he plans to return to therapy after his deductible is met.
“The therapy made a huge difference and helped me to process everything I was going through to adjust to my new reality,” he says.
Keeping a positive outlook has been “one of the hardest things for me, but the most important,” he says.
The experience of Matthew Sacks, a psychologist with the South Florida Center for Psychological Equanimity & Resilience, supports that idea.
“The ability to bounce back and stay optimistic is key to being resilient,” says Sacks, who is not involved in Baker’s treatment.
Sacks points out that anyone who lives long enough will experience some traumatic event. And, he says, new research on the subject reveals that resiliency is not a “trait,” but a skill that can be taught.
“Resiliency is something you can learn over time,” he says, noting that approximately 30% of the population will go on to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, while the rest demonstrates a greater level of resiliency.
And while he says there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to treating trauma, many people benefit from seeking professional help of psychologists or other trained mental health practitioners.
Fortunately for Baker, an electrical engineer, his family, friends, his employer and community of Spanish Wells in Delray Beach all stepped up to help and support him.
His dad came in from Minnesota to stay with him in Baker’s two-story townhome, and Baker says his neighbors have come by with dinner. His shower is now equipped with a chair and grab-bars.
He was able to work from home through the end of December and his friend Emily Kolber, 23, set up a GoFundMe page for him to help cover medical expenses.
While he has insurance coverage through his employer, Baker says his out-of-pocket expenses are more than $600,000.
The other driver’s insurance will pay only $10,000, he says.
By late January, the fundraiser totaled $15,681 out of the goal of $45,000.
“Jake is a go-getter and very kind,” says Kolber, an interior designer who dated Baker for three years. “He is always very generous and giving — a great person with a good heart.”
She was the first to visit him in the hospital and says seeing him there was “nerve-racking.”
The two have remained friendly and Kolber says she still cares about him (and his dog, Moe) and wants to make sure he gets through this traumatic experience.
“Jake is an inspiration for anyone going through a similar situation,” she says. “He’s had bad days, but overall, has stayed upbeat.”
An outdoorsman, Baker loves to go scuba diving, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, rock climbing and shark diving, all of which he hopes to resume once he is fitted with a prosthetic.
Until then, he sets small goals each day for himself, like walking Moe three times a day.
“Having something to work toward keeps me motivated,” he says, while still holding on to larger goals, such as planning a ski trip for next winter.
“Thinking about moments like that gives me hope and reminds me that even though life looks different now, it’s still full of possibilities.”
For now, Baker says he is “stepping away” from riding his motorcycle.
“Losing part of my leg is one of the hardest things I’ve had to face,” he says, “but it shows me I need to stay hopeful and positive.”
He works out with resistance bands at home as part of the effort to regain strength.
“I like the feeling of getting stronger each day,” he says, noting that he couldn’t even stand after spending more than a month in the hospital.
“I often picture myself running free again on two legs, enjoying the simple luxury of walking without assistive devices.”
He says he’s learned to appreciate small victories and the kindness of others and is grateful to have so many caring friends, family and neighbors.
What would he say to others in a similar situation?
“Reach out for help,” he says. “Take one day at a time and find strength and perseverance with the people you love.”
To learn more, visit Baker’s GoFundMe page at tinyurl.com/mry824tn.
Jan Engoren writes about health and healthy living. Send column ideas to jengoren@hotmail.com.
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