Crash victim embraces his second chance at life with a prosthetic arm

For a Warnbro 22-year-old, the past year has been a battle to regain independence and accept life as an amputee after he nearly died in a motorcycle crash almost 12 months ago.

Ross Haines lost his left arm and was fortunate to survive the crash near the Perth Airport after a vehicle’s wheels rolled over his head three times, coming to rest on his head, only for him to be saved by his helmet.

He was travelling to work on April 15, through roadworks at the Perth Airport end of Horrie Miller Drive when, without signs, his lane suddenly ended and it was too late for him to merge with a truck and semi-trailer.

Mr Haines is in the process of taking Main Roads to court, but as yet a date has not been set.

He is fundraising for an electronic prosthesis and has raised about $40,000, from which he purchased a second prosthetic to help him with rehab, which amounts to about 10 hours a week.

The robotic version will cost about $100,000, including insurance, which Mr Haines has been told he will have to fund himself because he is not eligible for financial aid from Australian limb support agencies.

He said he was deemed ineligible because his dominant hand, the right one, was still intact and in working order.

“Yes my right-hand movement is fine for the moment, but the damage to my skin could affect me late in life or could get worse,” Mr Haines said.

“I’m worried that I could lose the use of my right hand as I get older.”

Almost a year on from the accident, Mr Haines said he was getting used to performing day-to-day activities with his prosthetic arms but admitted his mental health was taking time to heal.

With 11 fatalities on WA roads earlier this month, Mr Haines said it was hard for him to watch the news.

“Every time I hear about a crash, I feel a stone is in my stomach,” he said.

“I avoid turning on the news or looking at social media.

“I’m now seeing a road trauma counsellor and headspace counsellor.”

A boost to Mr Haines’ spirits was regaining independence through modifications on his car so he can drive, with a disability licence.

“It cost about $2500 to fit the hand piece and change to electronics so I can drive and use lights and indicators without taking my hand off the steering wheel,” Mr Haines said.

“Decision making is a bit slower so I’m more controlled and cautious.

“I don’t feel 14-years-old any more and can drive myself to my appointments, which takes the pressure off my family.”

Mr Haines had planned to start university in February but deferred because he was not mentally or physically ready.

Doctors have not yet cleared him to work, so he became a member of Rockingham headspace’s Youth Reference Group and is volunteering with Paraplegic Benefit Fund in preventative work.

“I would like to go to schools and workplaces to help others,” Mr Haines said.

“Every day there are people putting others, not just their life, at risk on or near roads and the innocent get hurt.

“People don’t see the lasting effect of such incidents.

“There are too many lives lost and I want youth to take things more seriously.”