Skydiver Robert Griffin Defies Odds After Life-Changing Surgery

On Friday, Robert Griffin took a leap of faith, skydiving from a plane over Salisbury, an activity that showcases his resilience and zest for life. This thrilling moment came six years after a major medical setback left him with significant physical challenges, including the loss of a leg, part of a foot, and a thumb following heart surgery.

A Life-Altering Medical Journey

Griffin’s journey began during what was supposed to be a routine heart surgery. Complications arose, necessitating the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine to keep him alive. According to the Mayo Clinic, ECMO pumps blood outside the body to a heart-lung machine, allowing the heart and lungs to rest and heal in cases of life-threatening conditions.

Following the surgery, Griffin experienced an ischemic shower, leading to blood clots that resulted in the loss of his right leg, half of his left foot, and his right thumb. “I did not know where I was for about four weeks,” he recounted. “When I woke up, I had something missing.” The reality of his situation was both shocking and confusing for him.

Embracing Life with Positivity

Despite the severity of his situation, Griffin’s response has been one of determination rather than anger. “It really was not anger or anything like that. I have never been angry about it,” he stated. Instead, he experienced a range of emotions, particularly concerning his mobility. Driving was one of his main concerns, yet he has successfully adapted with the help of prosthetics.

Griffin continues to check in with his doctors regularly as his body adjusts to his new circumstances. “The muscles are not used as much so the leg gets smaller,” he explained, noting the challenges of adapting to a prosthetic that can change in size. He also confirmed experiencing phantom limb sensations, feeling discomfort in areas where limbs once were.

This was not Griffin’s first skydiving experience; he first jumped at the age of 60 as part of a bucket list. Now 67, he relishes the thrill, saying, “As soon as I hit the ground the first time, I signed up for another one.” He encourages others to consider the adventure: “It is indescribable. That adrenaline. The feeling. I tell people it is five seconds of terror and ten minutes of freedom.”

On Friday, he was joined by friends, including Jimmy McLain and Sandy Ward, who was skydiving for the first time. Griffin also maintains an active lifestyle outside of skydiving, engaging in activities such as hunting and fishing. “If you stop living, you start dying,” he stated, underlining his commitment to embracing life to the fullest.

Griffin’s story serves as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, no matter the challenges faced.