by Destinyrae

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

What makes a "man of steel," a man of heroic character and strength? Michael "Mike" Brogan had nerves of steel as an ironworker until an accident in 1996 left him as a bilateral amputee. Now, he is a man of courage, which he demonstrates daily as he determinedly manages with a disability. Oh, and as a hobby, he started driving a racecar at Natural Bridge Speedway after his accident. Yes, Brogan is a racecar driver.

The accident occurred on October 17th. Brogan was only thirty years old. An unstable concrete support shifted, causing the iron structure where Brogan was working to collapse. He fell 25 feet. Both of his legs were crushed and he was airlifted to the hospital.

He almost bled to death, according to the physicians' notes upon examination at the hospital. He was immediately rushed to surgery to stop the bleeding in his legs. It was apparent right away that the legs would probably have to go.

Brogan's first concern upon waking in the hospital was whether or not he was paralyzed. He knew he could not feel anything in his legs. The doctors had to break bad news. Brogan had a choice to make his life or his legs. He described the decision as easy. He wanted to live. He had a two-year-old daughter at home that he had every intention of seeing grow up. He told the doctors to take his legs.

Many surgeries and months of rehabilitation followed. He remembered struggling through all the rehab at the same time as actor Christopher Reeves, known for playing Superman. Reeves was rehabilitating after a paralyzing accident in 1995. Of course, Reeves was in worse shape and still fighting to walk again. It essentially became a motto and motivator for Brogan. "No matter how bad a shape you are, there's always someone else worse than you are. You just keep on and don't give up," he said.

So, why did Brogan choose to start racing? He grinned and shrugged in answer. "I tried it to have something to do."

The speed, rush and excitement of racecar driving is a family tradition. Brogan knew about cars as a young boy by watching his dad race and working on his dad's pit crew. He and his older brother, David, worked on the cars together. David was already racing, and Brogan was ready for his turn.

It was Brogan's friends and family that helped him to customize a racecar with hand controls. The brake and gas are accessible where a gearshift would normally be, yet there are still challenges. Managing a curve with one arm at racing speeds is very difficult. If it was not for Brogan's amazing

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