Motorcycle accident survivor rebuilds his life

Brandon Dahle defied doctor's predictions to make a full recovery

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Brandon Dahle was riding his motorcycle on a California freeway on a Sunday afternoon in 1998. He was traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour when a drunken driver hit him from the side. He awoke in a San Jose, Calif., hospital with little recollection of the accident.

"I really wish I could see a tape of what happened," Dahle, 30, said.

Dahle broke several ribs, both arms and suffered compression fractures of his eighth and ninth vertebrae.

"My arm was broke in half," he said. "The doctor told me I would never regain the full range of motion."

The bones and muscles in his right arm had to be reconfigured with metal plates and bolts. The arm is now fully functional, but it is several inches shorter than his left, something Dahle can't quite explain, but it doesn't bother him.

Before the crash, Dahle was heavily involved in weightlifting and fitness.

"The doctors said it was a good thing that I was in the shape I was in. Otherwise I would have just snapped."

Dahle's physicians told him not to get his hopes too high in regards to ever being able to exercise or be as active as he once was.

"The doctor was very negative," Dahle said. "But it became my motivation. I don't know, maybe it was reverse psychology. Whatever it was, it worked. I hear the word 'no' and my goal is to change it to a 'yes.' "

Dahle was hospitalized for two weeks and remained in a hospital bed at his home for nearly three and a half months.

"I was so uncomfortable and aggravated, no one wanted to be around me," he said.

The vertebrae damage also caused Dahle to shrink more than an inch.

"I got lucky, though. I didn't have to have 10 percent of what the doctor said I was going to need. They told me I was going to need surgery on my back, and that my arm wouldn't straighten."

For the first eight months after the accident, Dahle did nothing more than rehabilitate his body.

"I really learned the difference between hurting and helping my body," he said. "I became in tune with my body. I knew when to push and when to stop."

The largest change in his life has been realizing the importance of health, he said.

"I was into fitness before, but not like I am now," he said.

Before the accident Dahle was more concerned with how strong he was and how much he could lift, now he focuses on his overall fitness and health. After the rehabilitation was complete, he became a certified personal trainer, to help others realize the importance of keeping one's body in good condition. "Heath is definitely my number one asset."

Dahle eventually got back on a motorcycle. He bought a new Harley-Davidson in 2002, put 3,000 miles on it, and didn't touch it again.

"I guess I wanted to face my fear," he said. "And I did and I had enough. I didn't want to push it. Now, I say my motorcycle's on my fiancee's hand," he said jokingly.

As for the drunken driver, Dahle is not exactly sure what happened to him, but he is certain he went to prison.

"I was bitter for a while, but I'd rather have my health," Dahle said.

Dahle did not sue the driver, whom he said did not speak English, did not have insurance or a driver's license.

Another effect of the crash is that Dahle became an optimist, a stark contrast to his old pessimistic ways.

"The glass is always half full now," he said. "Always look for the positive. It is a complete different outlook from what I had."

Dahle's fiancee, Myline Patricio, said he has changed. Dahle explained they knew one another before his accident, but began dating after.

"He pretty much overcame a lot of things," Patricio said. "Before the accident he was kind of a happy-go-lucky guy, with no really big goals but he did have some. Now he can take anything on, regardless of how big."

Dahle's new mind-set helped him become an aggressive salesman as well. He is now the director of business development at IT Strategies, a technology consulting firm.

Mike Marriott, the executive vice president at IT Strategies, spoke highly of Dahle. "He's real eager and so energetic," Marriott said. "Clients really warm up to him and his personality."

"I was Mr. Negative," Dahle said. "I've realized positive thinking brings on positive actions. That has really helped in my job. In sales you have to be a people person and look on the brighter side. I definitely do that."

Patricio said Dahle is now the type of guy to be the first to volunteer to lend a hand.

"He treats everyone with respect," the 35-year-old Web site designer said. "He just has such a huge heart."

Overall, Dahle is healthy, which he feels blessed for.

"The odd part is that I'm probably in the best shape now than ever before. I got so lucky," he said.