Tulsa Woman Turns Motorcycle Accident Into Motivation

A Tulsa woman is turning her tragic accident into a positive motivator. Amber Blount lost her leg last year when the motorcycle she was riding on was hit by a car.

The man who investigators say is responsible was only recently arrested.

2/16/2014 Related Story: Sand Springs Man Arrested For DUI Crash Involving Motorcyclist

Blount is an inspiration to others. She admits there have been some hard times during her recovery, but she's using the accident as a way to teach others that you can overcome obstacles.

For nearly a year Blount's has been learning to walk and exercise again, this time she's doing it all with a prosthetic leg.

"The car window caught my knee and pulled me off the bike," Blount said about the accident.

Blount has had 24 days in the hospital, ten surgeries and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

She said all of this started on a warm March day, when she was riding with a friend on his motorcycle in Sand Springs. She explained a car crossed the center line toward the bike.

The car's shattered window sliced her knee, leaving her with the tough decision to amputate her left leg.

"I'm to the point where I've accepted it. I've moved on. It is what it is. I can't change it. I can't take it back. You just have to make the best of whatever situation you are thrown," Blount said.

Almost a year after the accident, Tulsa County Sheriff Deputies arrested Brian Ragsdale for driving under the influence. According to court records, investigators believe Ragsdale was on pain medication that may have impaired his reflexes.

"Anybody who decides to get behind the wheel of a car high, on pills, weed, drunk, it is in their conscience forever if they hurt somebody," said Blount.

With the help of her Prosthetist, her focus is now on regaining her strength and doing what she loves, working out.

"She's an inspiration. She's come a long way. She's worked very hard to get where she is. She has a tremendous amount of determination that has helped her," Certified Prosthetist Michael Arnette said.

Blount said, "Amputees are a very small community, either it ruins their life or it makes them better. You just have to choose which one you want to be."

Blount said her recovery would not have been possible without the Platinum Center gym giving her a free membership. She's also set up an online donation fund to help pay for her medical treatments.