One step at a time

CASEY RESSLER

Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

Dr. David Barnes had been in the cockpit thousands of times before Jan. 1. He was a flight instructor and a commercial pilot. But that mattered little when he woke up at Providence Hospital two weeks, 14 surgeries and one miracle later, after crashing his plane on the Glenn Highway.

Barnes crashed his plane on New Year's Day, suffering near-fatal injuries to his entire body. His recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, however, as he is already up and walking. That recovery hasn't come easily, however.

"My tibia and fibula were bilaterally broken on both sides, I had compression fractures, a broken femur on the left that was driven through my hip, and that broke my pelvis. My left patella was shattered in 14 pieces, and I torn every ligament in my left knee," Barnes explained.

And that was just his lower body injuries. He suffered extensive broken bones in his arm and wrist, as well as facial injuries.

"My wife said I had 14 surgeries in those first two weeks, but thanks to anesthesia, I don't remember them," he said with a chuckle.

With a chuckle - that's the important thing to remember. Because while many people faced with such a life-altering event may retreat and get depressed, Barnes has accepted the challenge. That first night in the hospital, he faced a 90 percent chance he would lose his leg to amputation. But even then, he didn't give up.

"I'm not complaining when I say this, but I hurt. It's part of my day now. But I keep trying to push myself, mentally and physically. I keep my spirits up. I keep praying," Barnes said.

Barnes has three reasons, and two more on the way, to keep pushing himself - he has three young sons, all younger than 5. In January, he and his wife are expecting twins.

"I'm disappointed when I can't do certain things with the boys, or I can't help out around the house, but I know that I will be able to do it eventually. That's my goal," Barnes said.

Barnes, an internist in Wasilla, has amazed people with his quick recovery. Even though the first three months were spent on his behind waiting for some of his injuries to heal, he has made remarkable progress.

"I think he's definitely surprised his physician with his progress, and he's surprised us," said Teresa Gool, his physical therapist at Wasilla Physical Therapy. "It's very amazing. I think it's a tribute to David's faith, too."

While Barnes doesn't flaunt his religion, he does say that faith had a big part in the events that took place Jan. 1.

"I don't say it lightly, but it was a miracle that I survived that accident," Barnes said. "We have a strong faith in God, and it has so been a part of this."

Barnes said another thing kept him going through those first few months of recovery - the response from the community.

"This community came out to help me and my family. People have opened their hearts and their pocket books to help us, and I don't think that would have happened at any other place we've been," Barnes said. "We are so appreciative of everything people have done for us here."

Barnes is continuing his recovery - he's now walking short distances without a cane, he's working limited hours at his practice and he's hoping he can go fishing again next summer with his boys.

Even after a near-fatal crash, however, he's still in the cockpit.

"You would drive after you were in an accident in your car," he said. "I have flown since I was 16, and I'm still a flight instructor. I'm not going to stop flying because of the accident."