Quincy Native, Gary Weiland, Now an Amputee Firefighter in Texas Tells His Comeback Story

A sudden amputation left Firefighter Gary Weiland stunned, but not without a fighting spirit. (Photo/Courtesy Gary Weiland)

Gary Weiland released his first book and competed in the American Ninja Warrior to go beyond the ordinary

Doing big things.

Gary Weiland’s path to becoming a firefighter was not straightforward; he worked in retail for several years before deciding to enroll in the fire academy.

He didn’t have to wait long. Shortly after graduating, he was hired on at Denton (Texas) Fire/Rescue (DFR), and his life seemed to fall into place.

In 2018, while playing football in the yard with his family and friends on Thanksgiving Day, his entire life changed without warning.

“I was literally running around the field, throwing a ball, and my knee started to swell up,” Weiland said. “Then, I couldn’t feel my foot.”

His family rushed him to the hospital, where surgeons spent 15 hours attempting to restore blood flow to his foot, before telling Weiland they needed to amputate his leg.

According to the doctors, slow-growing complications from Weiland’s knee surgery in 2016 had manifested and eventually get to a point of no return.

“After much prayer, and talking to doctors and family and friends, it sunk in,” he said. “I am going to have to amputate my leg. That was tough to swallow. I went from being a full-time firefighter – running around, playing any sport I wanted – to having my leg cut off.”

“Most of the doctors told me, ‘You will never fight fire again,’” he said. “They said, ‘You need to find something else to do because it’s just not going to happen.’”

However, a visit from DFR Chief Kenneth Hedges helped Weiland get in the right frame of mind. “He said, ‘We got you, no matter what. You still have a job with our department,’” Weiland said. “That made me feel good and gave me confidence.”

With his chief’s words of encouragement fueling him, Weiland never actually took the doctors’ predictions to heart. He refused to believe he would never again respond to a fire scene.

“I decided right then that I will be the first amputee firefighter,” he said. “I decided that I was going to do it, and I didn’t care what it would take or how it would happen. I had no idea how I was going to do it, but I just told myself, ‘I’m going to do it. I’ll be the first one.’”

Within six months, Weiland was ready to go back to work, quicker than the DFR could even plan for.

“I wanted to work through as many scenarios as I possibly could because, as firefighters, we don’t know what position we’re going to find ourselves in,” Weiland said. “For the next few months, whether I was on duty or off duty, I was training, working, and doing whatever I could to make sure that I could get back.”

How did Weiland feel that first day back on the job? Relieved.

“I was back on duty. This is my job. This is what I do. It’s no big deal,” he said of returning. “I’d already put myself through the training and put myself to work. Here I am, now I can move forward and just do my job.”

“I would not have said this 10 months ago, but this happening to me is a gift, and I’m going to use it to help other people,” he said. “This takes a toll on the body – physically and mentally. What I’ve told people is, ‘Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.’ The mindset is the biggest hurdle, it’s 80% of the battle, knowing you’re going to get through this.”

Above all, he wants to serve as a reminder to others, especially children, that despite an amputation or limb difference, they can do big things.

Weiland didn’t hesitate to spread the word. He released his first book, “Fischer’s Accident,” in early 2022. He released his second book, “Fischer Finds a Friend,” a few months later. Part of a five-book series, these books tell the story of a firefighter who has an accident at work, must have his leg amputated, and ultimately becomes an amputee firefighter.

These stories are designed to teach children that no matter what happens in life, you can never give up. You must keep moving forward. They also teach about fire safety, how to act during emergencies, and many other life lessons.

Amputee Firefighter Ninja Competition

The story does not end there. Weiland set a new goal for himself – to become an American Ninja Warrior to compete in the show on March 23rd, 2022, in San Antonio.

“People are like, man, you’ve been training three hours a day, seven days a week getting ready for American Ninja Warrior,” said Weiland. “And I’m like, man, I’m 42 years old! I work out for two hours and I’m exhausted for three days!”

“I want others to feel like they can do anything and be anything they want; I’m living proof of that,” he said. “If I can be a full-time firefighter, you can do anything you want. What’s more difficult than that?” he concluded.

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