After making the decision over 20 years ago to undergo a difficult surgery to keep his leg and continue running, Dateline NBC and Runners World Magazine tell the story of Tom White, an avid runner and physician from Buena Vista, Colorado. Dr. White underwent a surgery to re-attach his leg after a motorcycle accident nearly 20 years ago. At the time this was a decision made by a man who was a competitive runner, a man who knew how difficult running would be with an amputated leg.

The surgery to save his leg was successful and he was able to run and enjoy the Colorado mountains.  But over the years, Dr. White experienced more and more difficulty continuing with the activities that he truly loved. The outdoor activities were getting harder to be able to enjoy, so he made the difficult decision that he faced after the car accident 20 years ago. But this time he chose to have his leg amputated. He turned to the team of the Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk to undergo the amputation.  To him this wouldn’t be a loss; instead it meant recapturing the life he loves.

Related: Dr. David Hahn