The ChallengeVeteran Nelson Thomas to Have Foot Amputated 1 Year After Car Accident

Mar. 15, 2025

Nelson Thomashas made the difficult decision to have his foot amputatedin the wake of his serious car accident.

“March 5, 2023 remains vivid in my memory, a persistent presence in my thoughts,” Thomas wrote on Instagram. “I consciously embrace it as the initiation of a new chapter. Opting for amputation, I am determined to own March 5 and redefine its significance in my life.”

“Get ready, amputation world! I’m on my way!” he added. “I am scheduled for surgery on March 5, 2024.

Thomas' post included images of his injuries and the accident, as well as an audio of a conversation between him and his doctor, who explained the surgery and answered any questions Thomas had.

“I have to ask myself what kind of life I want to live and the quality of life I want to live,” he said, admitting he questioned at first whether it was the right thing to do but had done a lot of research. “I think I’m at peace with it and it’s time.”

Thomas has been working hard on his recovery, regularly sharing updates with his 288,000 Instagram followers.

Over the weekend, he posted a video of himself working out in the gym. “Let’s embrace the challenges, face the storm head on, and conquer adversity. I won’t run away. I’ll run towards my challenges, leaving a lasting impact that people won’t forget….” he wrote in the caption.

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In September, Thomas revealed he was facing a potential ankle amputation after doctors told him it had re-fractured and was not healing.

“Come to find out, where they have the screws and plates, the bone broke. It did not re-heal,” hesaidat the time. “The doctor has laid my options out there. The stage that I’m in right now is called a salvage stage, which [means] either they can salvage my ankle, or they can amputate it.”

“This is not going to break me, but goddamn, I’m so over hearing bad news,” Thomas added in the previous video. “I just wanted some good news today.”

source: people.com