With his glove stuck on the throttle, Andy Foss skidded toward the curb on a purple motorcycle that wouldn’t slow down.

That was the last thing he remembered about the crash that changed his life.

On Sept. 7, 2012, Foss broke 34 bones in his body – ribs, collarbones, shoulders, legs – after slamming into the guardrail on Dash Point Road in Federal Way. If it weren’t for quick-acting witnesses and rescue workers, along with his Shoei motorcycle helmet, Foss would have died.

“I don’t remember my first two weeks in the hospital,” he said, referring to initial treatment at Harborview Medical Center.

Foss, a former volunteer firefighter, is now recovering at Avalon Care Center nearly six months after the accident. He doesn’t know whether he will walk again, let alone ride a motorcycle again. He struggles to merely swing his legs a few inches while seated in a wheelchair.

However, he is making progress. Foss, 50, undergoes two hours of daily physical therapy and documents his progress on a Facebook page. He recently posted a video of his latest milestone: being able to roll on his back and sit up by himself.

“It takes a lot of work to get to that point,” he said. “I’d like to be able to stand up and walk.”

Last month, South King Fire and Rescue presented Foss a fire helmet covered with words of encouragement from firefighters. The helmet sits atop a cabinet in his room at Avalon Care Center in Federal Way. One of the messages says “Get back on the bike.”

Another concern is the out-of-pocket expenses that go along with medical benefits. Although he worked as a state auditor for 24 years, Foss knows the medical benefits won’t last forever, and that he may need round-the-clock care indefinitely.

He keeps his spirits up through support from his family, friends and church.

“I need all the help, love, thoughts, prayers and support they can give me,” he said. “I need to just focus on getting better.”

Learn more

Check out the recovery of Andy Foss on his Facebook page at facebook.com/AndyFossinTheFossLane.