Losing my leg was a wake-up call

BILL MAXWELL KASANDA's horrific bike riding accident is the subject of The Rider, a Kenyan documentary that was nominated for an award at an international film festival. He tells SHIRLEY GENGA how getting a second chance at life changed his outlook.

On October 11, 2015, you were involved in an accident that changed your life forever, tell us about that experience?

I was participating in a bike racing competition for the first time, we were racing around Kiganjo road, located along exit 13 of Thika road when my bike slide off the track and hit an electric post. I was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital and I eventually lost my right foot.

What went through your mind when you woke up after the operation and found that your right foot had been amputated?

I was awake throughout the whole accident, I saw and experienced the whole thing and I remember when I got to hospital all my friends and family were there, they were crying for me and they had this look of hopelessness and I remember feeling pity for myself, but a friend of mine gave me advice that I live by to this day, he said do not worry about anything else, instead concentrate on what is important now, on what you can change and control now. From that point on I pushed pity away.

After the operation, whenever I had a low moment, was frustrated or felt self-pity rising in me I pushed it aside, just because your mind tells you that you should feel a certain way does not mean you should blindly obey, we all have control over our emotions and out comes, I simply refused to be discouraged and chose to be hopeful.

They made a movie about your horrific experience...

Yes, my friends made a short film that was nominated for an award at The Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. It is a film festival run aimed at raising awareness on the abilities of people with disability.

They say that everything that happens in life has a purpose if only we will look closely, what do you believe was the purpose of the accident that changed your life?

It was a wake-up call for me to stop chasing after irrelevant pursuits and to instead concentrate on what is important. I have always had an adventurous heart and so getting on the bike and pushing limits was like a high for me, a high I would chase at whatever cost. In fact, when it came to biking I was a bit obsessed, no maybe addicted, I would forego anything for that high. After the accident I was forced to evaluate myself and realise that I could love biking but I had to control it.

Did you give up biking?

I have never operated on fear, although I get scared and I understand that fear is part of life but I have learnt to push it aside. In fact, after the accident, my heart longed to get back on the bike. Waiting to get better before getting on was tough for me. I finally got back on my bike three months after the accident. At the time, I only had my left foot and I just rode my bike within my compound. However, six months after the accident I got my prosthetic leg, I did not even think twice before I took a ride from Nairobi to Meru a week after, and it was exhilarating.

All by yourself?

I am part of the Kenyan biking group called Super Bikers Association that go for rides in groups out of Nairobi - usually over the weekend. Sometimes, we have bike competitions.

What were some of the challenges you faced after the accident?

I have been an active person, before the accident I would go to the gym five times a week, and also I would pick one morning every week to go cycling before work, I found myself unable to do it. When I came home after the accident, I was in a lot of pain because of nerve damage and at the beginning I could not do the things I loved.

Further, I am a field manager at ICROSS Kenya and my job requires me to be on the road for long hours when we are accessing remote areas. I had to stop that. My hands were also numb and so I could not sketch my designs, I could not cook for myself or even write with my right hand because the nerves on my right side had been severely damaged.

Your designs?

I have a diploma from the New York Institute of Interior Design. I do some jobs on the side.

How did you overcome?

I decided to tackle one challenge at a time, and I began with teaching myself to write with my left side, I would wake up early every morning and practice writing with my left hand. I also began going for physio-therapy classes but after two sessions I became frustrated and I did not return, I felt like a class two student being taught what children learn in nursery. So instead I did my research online and talked to people and slowly started going back to the gym, and slowly with hard work and determination I was able to master how to operate in my new body. I now know how to pace myself whether at work or at home, I have no pain except when I over exert myself, so I try to do things in moderation now

How long have you been riding?

I rode my first bike at the age of 14, it was my dad’s, he was a teacher and he loved to commute with his bike. I would ride his bike secretly until I went to high school and forgot about that but I began riding again in 2008, and even continued when I went to the states to study interior design between 2010 and 2011. I returned in 2012 and found a bike culture in Kenya and as a result I joined the Super Bikers Association who are about 200 Kenyan bike enthusiasts.

What one thing don’t a lot of people know about you?

I made the personal choice a while ago to stop drinking. I looked around me and I did not like the effect of alcohol on both my life and the lives of others.

Any advice for anyone out there who could be going through a crisis?

God cannot give you something that you cannot handle, do not focus on the tragedy that is happening now instead look at the possible future. Pity is a useless emotion it does not help anyone. I am a religious person and so I believe God cannot give you more than you can handle. Further, my advice to people is not to pity or sympathise and instead try to encourage.