A factory worker has revealed how doctors had to sew his hand to his hip to save it when all of the skin was torn off in a horror accident.
Kyle Mazur was severely injured at the boxing plant where he was an operator when his limb was degloved.
The married-dad-of-one is still coming to terms with what happened after having lost two fingers and going through over 16 surgeries and endless physiotherapy to give him movement back.
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The 31-year-old, who is married to Kirstyn, 29, with whom he shares a son, 10-month-old Kurtis, is passionate about sharing his story in the hopes of inspiring others.
Kyle’s content clearly resonates with people online – one of his clips has an astonishing 37.2 million views – as he describes the shock freak accident.
“I thought I was dreaming at first,” he told Need To Know.
Kyle during recovery. (Jam Press/@three.finger.discount)
“When I finally realised the severity of my injury, I was scared, uncertain about my future and in so much pain.
“I had a full degloving – all the skin was ripped off my hand – and I had fingers removed and skin grafting.
“I was given options by doctors; the first was to remove my hand altogether or to put a few toes onto my hand to give me five fingers, but I said no.
“So I went with preserving my hand by having it sewn into my hip to keep the blood flow.
“I was in a thing called a groin flap to preserve the bone.
“After six weeks it was removed and the skin from my groin is now the skin on top of my hand – it’s honestly incredible.
“Sixteen surgeries, countless hours of therapy and lots of practice later, I am getting used to my new way of life.”
Kirstyn, who works as a home care nurse, was actually at the hospital when she got the call about her husband’s injury.
She also fought for her husband to keep his hand when doctors considered cutting it off.
Kyle was taken to Philadelphia, US to see Dr Lin, a hand specialist, who came up with the solution to sew his hand into his hip.
Kyle’s life after the accident was very difficult, especially due to the heavy scarring from the five skin grafts.
The dad from Mohrsville, Pennsylvania, said: “I struggled with pretty much everything after my injury.
“I had to learn to do a lot of things differently using only one hand – like. playing video games with the help of my chin.
“I still struggle with chronic regional pain syndrome and have severe nerve damage in my left arm.
“Opening things is difficult.
Kyle’s hand after surgery. (Jam Press/@three.finger.discount)
“I use special knives to cut food, and have a special toothpaste dispenser.
“I’ve adapted to a lot of things so I don’t have too many special devices.
“I did get a prosthetic that I use occasionally, but I don’t really need it.
“People stare all the time. and I was very insecure about if for a long time, but now I no longer care if they make fun of me,
“I use it as motivation to improve myself every day.
“A lot of people tell me I should have got a robot hand but they don’t understand that I still use my hand every day.
“I pay no attention to negativity, I’m very thankful to still have my hand.”
“Parenting was also tough at first, like picking my son up with one hand was nerve-racking but now I’m a pro!
Kyle’s hand after surgery. (Jam Press/@three.finger.discount)
“I can change a diaper with one hand, in less than one minute.
“After almost a year of being a dad I know I can do anything that I need to do for my son.”
Kyle, whose injury took place on 2 February 2022, received compensation from his workplace but does not wish to disclose the amount.
He wants to turn his experience into an opportunity by helping others.
He added: “It took me a few years to accept my new hand and my new life, but I’m so happy I made the choices I made.
“I have no regrets at all.
“I really just want people to understand that you can come back from an injury like mine.
“I’m going to learn how to play baseball using only one hand like Jim Abbott and I’m also an avid skateboarder.
“I hope to show others with disabilities you can do anything you set your mind too.”
