AAFES worker trains daily despite prosthetic leg

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  Terry Mallon broke his back, both legs and both ankles showing off a stunt. The 60-foot fall off an amusement park ride pushed his shin bones past his knees.

Twenty-four years and 11 surgeries later, which included the loss of his right leg, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service security technician has not lost his zeal for fitness.

“I see him in the gym here just about every day,” said Master Sgt. Benny Miguel, a 51st Services Squadron superintendent. “He really impresses me because he comes in here as often as I do to workout, and I’m fully able ... with all my body parts.”

At age 21, Mr. Mallon gave in to peer pressure while on an amusement park ride outside the San Francisco Bay area in California. At the urging of a friend, Mr. Mallon climbed out of his car to hang like a monkey during the ride. The first time was a success. The second time he fell.

“My fingers let go involuntarily,” Mr. Mallon said. “As I was falling, I remember thinking I was either dead or paralyzed.”

Neither happened, but life has not been the same for him since. Mr. Mallon said he does well making his way around with the help of a prosthetic leg. Although most people could not put a price on what one of their own legs is worth, his leg goes for about $15,000.

“It’s an athletic design for a prosthetic leg,” Mr. Mallon said. “I need that design because I’m heavy into playing sports. I like all the racket sports, like tennis, racket ball and table tennis. I also like water skiing.”

Not only does he engage in sports, he plays them competitively.

“I play table tennis at a very high level here in Korea. Most people don’t know what they’re getting into when they start a game with me,” he said. “There are times when I play up to five hours a day.”

In fact, Mr. Mallon is so energetic he said he has to remind himself to slow down.

“My biggest challenge is not to be over-active. I’ve already snapped three artificial legs,” he said with a smirk.

On the other hand, Mr. Mallon’s active lifestyle is not what impresses people most.

“Terry always wants to help other people,” said Chris Leonard, his friend. “He’s not self-centered, but ‘others-centered.’ His eagerness to help people get in shape really stands out.”

Mr. Mallon’s eagerness reaches further than just helping people, Sergeant Miguel said.

“He’s very positive and personable,” Sergeant Miguel said. “That really didn’t hit me until one day I saw him in the lobby of the fitness center, and he was juggling for some people. I saw this Airman standing about 25 feet away from him holding something. Terry was throwing his juggling balls at the object in the hands of this guy who was catching the balls. I then realized it was his prosthesis leg the Airman was holding. That sight put me in awe of Terry’s outlook on his situation.”

Sergeant Miguel said seeing Mr. Mallon on a daily basis has changed his own outlook on fitness.

“I’ve been in this line of work for 25 years now, and I’ve seen a lot of people take for granted what they have,” Sergeant Miguel said. “Many take for granted the opportunity the Air Force offers them in fitness. I’ve counseled hundreds of people, from Airman to (noncommissioned officer) to officer, about staying in shape. A lot of times their excuse is ‘not enough time’ or able but not willing to do it.

“But here’s a man who is missing a leg; yet his outlook on life is amazing. That is a story in itself for us to learn from. In my time as a fitness trainer, I’ve seen no one like Terry. There’s something about him that keeps him motivated.”

It is apparent there is no lack of motivation in Mr. Mallon’s life, but he sees his motivation as a gift rather than an effort.

“I’ve been blessed with a humorous outlook. It’s what I call serious silliness,” Mr. Mallon said. “Everything happens for a reason. It’s up to us to give the best reaction.”

Mr. Mallon seems to go so far as to say his accident was not really an accident.

“I believe I was living a life too much on the edge. My fall was a wake-up call from God. It goes along with my philosophy: bad things never happen to harm, only to teach.”

Mr. Mallon’s calamity cost him a year in a hospital bed, eight years of recovery time and one leg; but he retained his participation in sports, his fitness and his ability to live life fully.