Michael Schmidt Recounts Hand Amputation After Construction Accident on HoneyDew Podcast

The Accident

• 🏗️ Michael Schmidt, a 36-year-old pile driver, recounts a severe work accident that led to the amputation of his hand.
• 💥 The incident occurred when a 75,000 lb diesel hammer malfunctioned, breaking and dropping a 13,000 lb piece that struck his wrist and face.
• 🤕 Schmidt was knocked unconscious for several minutes and, upon waking, realized the severity of his injury.

Immediate Aftermath and Injury

• 🩸 He describes holding his severed hand, noting it looked like "spaghetti," and the immediate shock and lack of feeling.
• 🏥 Schmidt has undergone multiple surgeries, including a final one where skin was taken from his leg, after his body rejected attempts to save the hand.
• 📸 Photos taken by the safety guy showed the extent of the damage, including black fingers, before the decision was made to amputate.

Recovery and Future

• 🤕 Schmidt is currently recovering in a hospital and has experienced phantom sensations, feeling his fingers touching and blood running down his fingertips.
• 🦾 He is preparing to shop for a prosthetic hand in the coming weeks.
• 🗣️ The conversation touches on the challenges of adapting to life without his dominant hand, including learning to perform daily tasks differently.