Amputee Fights Odds, Becomes Firefighter

A man in Martinez, Georgia, near Augusta turned a personal struggle into a personal triumph. David Pouler lost his leg, but he didn't let that stop him from becoming a fireman.

You would never know, just to look at Pouler, but peek under his firefighter's boot and you will see his secret.

"It was April 26, 1996. I remember the date. The train was going fast enough to suck me under and throw me out," recalled Pouler.

Pouler was running alongside some train tracks, when he tripped. The train cut off his leg. "At that time the main thing I wanted to do was play football," said Pouler.

Pouler played football his senior year and he also became a firefighter. Pouler is one of only a few other amputees in the country who are in his line of work.

"David has proven without a doubt that he can do the job. He's an inspiration to all of us," said Captain Ray Blessing. "It doesn't take long getting to know David that you realize you know you're probably the one with the handicap and not him."

"I press this button here, releases the locking mechanism which is right here, and if you here that click in there, it clicks directly into that leg," said Pouler. "Every leg I've gotten, I've put some kind of design or something on there."

Pouler said for the past 13 years he has faced a lot of challenges but he never gave up and he said he never will.

"From every chief to every captain, to volunteers, who's believed in me and given me a chance. I couldn't have done it without their support along with my family," said Pouler.

Pouler said his dream was always to be in the military to others and being a firefighter was the next best thing.