His dad was a trucker. In the U.S. Army, he was a trucker. And now, despite becoming a double-amputee, he’s hoping to be a trucker again.
Erin Schaefer served in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the Army. He was driving a truck, doing what he loved. But in 2010, his truck was hit by an IED.
“Was out on a convoy taking supplies from one base to the next. Came to a halt because the other truck in the rear of our convoy had become disabled,” he explained to WKRN. “Started moving again, and the IED blast went off.”
Both of his legs were amputated below the knee. Recovery wasn’t always easy.
“There’s dark days out there,” he said. “Depression, I’ve had to fight through them.”
But now, almost a decade later, Schaefer is at it again. He’s training for his CDL, hoping to get “back to doing what I like to do.”
While DOT regulations require drivers to have four healthy limbs, exemptions have been issued in the past for amputees who demonstrate that they can safely operate the vehicle. If Schaefer qualifies for an exemption, he will need to drive an automatic truck. But he’ll be back behind the wheel.
“I just love the open road, being out there with the truck. Just myself and my thoughts,” Schaefer said. “I feel I have the trucker blood.”
Asked what advice he would give to others, he responded: “Don’t let anybody tell you no. You can get out there and drive a truck. Whatever your handicap disabilities are, don’t let it limit you.”
Source: wkrn, truckersreport
Al Peltier says
Im a below knee amputee and I drive a big rig, flatbed/drop deck with a manual 13 speed, I haul oil field equipment,
Just a driver says
I lost my legs in a accident 20 yrs ago.It s not that hard to get a CDL.After the doctors will give the ok you are healty( like Medical card and you need to be examinated by a orthoped doc to make sure your prosthetics are the right one) you have to do a driving test with. a DOT officer .You must be able to do anyting ,DOT inspection,driving,event fueling ,hook /inhook trailers .etcAfter that every 2yrs when you get a new medical card you have to be seen by orth doc too.It’s not that hard they will be happy to let you work because if not they have to pay you disabilty.
Kevin says
Way to go! If he can prove himself to handle it, go for it! What an awesome person to 1st not allow the victim mentality and 2nd not wallowing in ( all be well deserved) self pity.
Hope he reads this because I say Thank You, from the bottom of my heart!
Wolvespirit Transportation says
Good luck, Driver! I hope you can get that exemption and get back to what you love!
Scott says
Lol
Jason says
What’s funny?
Tantan says
Go get it driver , see ya on the road
God bless you
David W Wren says
I am a below the knee amputee and I drive I pull a ref. trailer and I have no problem with it been out there for about ten years now and don’t plan on giving up yet.