Ryan Nicholson

Ryan Nicholson can’t clearly remember the electrical shock that changed the rest of his life. The Clarksville, Tenn., Department of Electricity electrical lineman was doing what he had done a thousand times before, restoring power to storm victims. Unfortunately on this particular job, Nicholson made contact with a live wire on both of his hands while working off of a utility pole sending 7,200 volts through his body. Surviving a 7,200-volt shock is almost unheard of.

Nicholson was immediately airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center’s Trauma Unit in Nashville for treatment. The injuries included severe burns to both hands and left foot. Due to the severity of the burn on his foot, it was necessary to amputate slightly above the ankle on his left foot. It was also necessary to amputate the thumb, pointer and middle fingers on his left hand, and the thumb and pointer finger on his right hand. After spending three months in recovery, Nicholson was able to return home to his family in Clarksville.

“It’s the accident every lineman dreads, making contact with a high-voltage power line during a storm repair. It means electrocution, severe injury and, in the worst case, loss of life,” said Nicholson. “I was fortunate enough to survive and I feel truly blessed.”

When asked how his accident has changed his life, Nicholson says that in many ways he is the same person he always was. “Like every other experience, it has altered me. My injuries are dramatic, but it is just one more experience of many. It doesn’t make or break my life.”

Initially, Nicholson was fit with a prosthesis that became increasingly uncomfortable due to stump shrinking. Nicholson discovered Bulow BioTech Prosthetics from an advertisement in the newspaper. “I called Bulow as soon as I heard they were opening an office here in Clarksville, and within two days I had an appointment.”

Scott Moore made a cast of Nicholson’s stump and fit him with a vacuum socket to fit Nicholson’s new prosthesis, Freedom Innovations Renegade® MX foot. “A day that was unbearable has now turned into a day with little discomfort, if any. It really is like night and day when comparing my old prosthesis with my new one,” said Nicholson.

“Scott and the rest of the staff at Bulow BioTech are willing to do so much more than the minimum required to make you feel like more than just a patient,” said Nicholson. “It’s a rather unique feeling to go to a medical facility of any kind and know that you are among people you consider friends. I appreciate the friendship that Scott and I have built.”

Nicholson still works for The Clarksville Department of Electricity, but now as a dispatcher. He enjoys camping, boating, athletic events, and spending time with his friends and family.