Six years ago, 23-year-old Manuel Salazar’s life was changed in an instant when a crane on a construction job site hit a power line, sending two 115,000-volt jolts of electricity through his body. Miraculously Manuel survived, but his burns were life-threatening and required that his arms and legs be amputated. But thanks to Manuel’s indomitable spirit and donated allograft tissue, he not only survived but thrives. Now 29, Manuel skis, swims, drives and owns an auto body shop that employs a team of people.

Manuel's Story

Six years ago, 23-year-old Manuel Salazar began work on a construction site in Georgia when his life was changed in an instant. A crane on the job site hit a power line, sending it to the ground where he was standing, and hitting him twice with 115,000 volts of electricity. While exposure to this dose of electricity is enough to kill anyone, miraculously Manuel survived to tell the tale.

However, Manuel’s injuries were grave. His burns were life-threatening and required that his arms and legs be amputated. The emotional struggle ahead of him as a quadruple amputee was overwhelming.

“I didn’t understand why they had saved my life,” said Manuel. “I didn’t think life could go on.”

But press on he did, and he was given new hope numerous times with the help of donated allograft tissue – a gift from deceased donors – to cover his burns and promote healing. AlloSource, one of the nation’s largest non-profit providers of skin, bone and soft tissue allografts, provided the life-saving skin grafts.

After his stay in the burn unit, Manuel was fit for prosthetics. But because of the extent of his amputations, it was unusually difficult. Once again, donated human tissue was used to help Manuel’s mobility. Donor bone was used to help build him a shoulder. Along with muscle from his back, the new shoulder can sustain a lightweight, highly functional prosthetic. With the new shoulder and prosthetic, Manuel can now feed himself, brush his teeth, and even scratch his head – many acts of daily living that would have been impossible before.

Despite his ongoing physical setbacks, Manuel insists that he is the same man he was before the accident. In fact, his stubbies (short prosthetic legs that allow him to walk in a shuffling motion) and wheelchair have hardly held him back; Manuel skis, water-skis, swims, drives and wants to go skydiving. He also opened an auto body shop in Aurora and employs a team of people.

Manuel, now 29, speaks often to groups and inspires others with his incredible spirit. “I’m thankful to be alive,” said Manuel. “I want to try new things. I see life in a whole new way.”