November 05, 2024

‘I have a lot of life to live yet’

CCSD transportation director Bob Beatty recovers from grain bin accident that took his legs

By DUSTIN MAEDER

Bob Beatty, right, transportation director for the Creston Community School District, lost his legs after a grain bin accident in March. Finding some humor in the situation, Beatty poses for a photo underneath the 'safety first' sign at the district bus barn next to the district's mechanic Mike Livingston, who had broken his leg after getting thrown from a horse April 10, (Contributed photo)

Creston Community School District transportation director Bob Beatty’s life changed after an accident while working in his grain bin back in March.

“I got caught in a power sweep inside my grain bin,” said Beatty. “That’s an auger that cleans out the bottom of the bin. Once you get it so far down, it leaves an inverted cone inside the bin.”

Beatty said he was finishing up his work inside and walked to the grain bin door, flipping the switch before he got out of the bin.

“It was right there by my feet and it threw me down on the ground and proceeded to eat me,” said Beatty.

Following the accident, Beatty lost both of his legs, spent 10 days in a trauma ward and seven days in rehabilitation before coming home.

“I’m doing good,” said Beatty. “I’m going to get a trial prosthetic for my left leg Wednesday ... my right leg still has quite a bit of healing to do yet.”

Beatty said doctors originally believed they would have to amputate his right leg above the knee, but they were able to salvage it in preparation for an experimental procedure.

“They took a chunk of skin off my thigh and it’s going to Chicago where they will extract stem cells out of it and make an ointment or lotion to put on there and start growing my own skin back,” said Beatty. “I think it’s a fairly new procedure.”

All things considered, Beatty said his spirits are high, and he intends to continue living his life the way he was before the accident. Beatty said he still intended on participating in this year’s RAGBRAI before the bike ride was postponed until 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“I have a lot of life to live yet,” said Beatty. “I feel good, I’m healthy, and I have a lot of big plans for the rest of my life. I plan to live a long time as long as nothing else goes wrong.”

Beatty said the support from his friends, family and community has been outstanding.

“I’ve got hundreds of people wanting to help me,” said Beatty. “I got a couple of neighbors that have been taking care of the farm operation most of the time, taking care of my cattle ... It’s been amazing.”

CCSD Superintendent Deron Stender stated in a Tweet earlier this week that he intends to have Beatty be a guest speaker to staff and students when they return to school, citing Beatty’s ‘power of a positive can-do attitude.’

“Bob suffered what many would consider to be a severe setback,” said CCSD Superintendent Deron Stender. “But Bob has been a positive and inspirational leader for me as he continues to make significant progress.”

As for Beatty, he said he is ready to get back to work and is hopeful that his recovery will be swift.

“I’m just going to keep pushing forward, I got a lot of big things to do,” said Beatty. “I’m excited to get my prosthetic and to just start walking, running and riding like normal.”