For Mark, returning to work after losing his leg was never a question of if but a question of when.

After 25 years in the Marine Corps, Mark joined the San Diego Police Department in 2020. Two years later, while riding his motorcycle home from an overnight shift when he encountered an abandoned vehicle sitting dark on the interstate. With almost no time to react, he struck the vehicle at highway speed and was thrown roughly 150 feet.

The crash shattered his pelvis, caused multiple compound fractures in his left leg, and severely damaged his foot. Doctors spent approximately two weeks attempting to save the limb, but Mark was already thinking about what life would look like afterward.

Choosing Function Over Limb Salvage

During his time in the Marine Corps, Mark had known and served alongside amputees who returned from combat and continued living active, fulfilling lives.

Photo courtesy of ABC 10News/KGTV

“For me, it was a pretty easy decision to amputate,” he said.

Once the decision was made, Mark moved quickly. He was home just three days after surgery, received his first prosthesis on July 11, and returned to full police duty by December 1.

“I hit the ground running and basically never looked back.”

Getting Back to the Job

Mark had been an avid marathon runner before the crash, sometimes running races nearly every weekend. He credits that physical conditioning with helping him recover as quickly as he did.

But returning to the San Diego Police Department was about more than physical capability.

“Coming back was never a question,” Mark said.

Eventually, Mark didn’t just return to duty—he returned to motorcycles.

About a year and a half ago, he completed the department’s motorcycle academy and now serves as a full-time motorcycle officer. 

Discovering Another Option with Limber

Mark receives his prosthetic care with coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He first heard about Limber through a fellow amputee who shared photos and his experience with the Limber Px1. Mark was immediately curious.

Part of what interested him was the affordability. 

“When you look at the cost comparatively, this is so cost-effective,” Mark said.

But once he received his Px1, another benefit stood out immediately: how lightweight it was.

Mark happened to pick up a newly fabricated carbon-fiber prosthesis from his regular clinic one day before receiving his Limber leg, giving him a rare opportunity to compare the two directly.

They weighed both devices. The Px1 was over a pound lighter.

“I couldn’t believe how light it was,” Mark said. “Especially because I’ve already got a ton of weight on between my boots and all my gear. I’ll take a pound or two wherever I can get it.”

For someone spending long shifts carrying police equipment in the San Diego heat, every ounce matters.

More Options, More Comfort

Mark doesn’t rely on one prosthesis for every situation.

He keeps different legs for home, work, and specific activities, rotating between them depending on what his body needs that day.

“Having another leg that I can choose from throughout the day has been really nice,” he said.

Additionally, The Px1 gives Mark another option around water.

His VA-provided water prosthesis requires more caution because metal components can rust or corrode with extended exposure. With the Px1, he feels less restricted.

“With the Limber Px1, I have complete freedom,” Mark said. “I know I can play around in the water all day and not have to worry about a darn thing.”

That matters for someone who enjoys spending time at Lake Havasu with his family—and whose job regularly puts him along San Diego’s coastline.

Community Makes the Difference

Mark’s experience has also reinforced something he believes every new amputee should know: recovery is easier when you don’t try to navigate it alone.

Photo courtesy of The San Diego Union-Tribune

“Create a community of support. Involve yourself with other amputees, hang around your prosthetist’s office and get to know your fellow amputees. No one can do this alone, and there are always people willing to help.”

Today, Mark continues to serve and protect the San Diego community while pursuing new goals, including returning to marathon running. His journey is a reminder that life after amputation doesn’t have to mean giving up the activities, career, or passions that define you.

At Limber, we’re proud to support patients like Mark with prosthetic technology designed to keep them moving. Every innovation we create is guided by one mission: helping amputees live more active, independent, and fulfilling lives.