Volume 126 Issue 38
kansan.com
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Losing his legs won't keep freshman Colby Liston out of the classroom
During a crisis, Matt Liston remains calm. He parks his unit where it won't interfere with traffic.
Then he figures out what happened.
He helps whoever needs immediate medical attention.
Then he figures out what happened. He does one thing at a time. First responders can't take in an overwhelming accident scene all at once. He'll deal with the emotions later.
Matt has been a police officer for 22 years and has given three death notifications in his career. During his time on the Derby Police Department advanced crash team, he's seen rollovers, ejections, train collisions and pedestrian fatalities.
When he got the call that his son Colby had been badly hurt in a car accident, he did what he always does: one thing at a time.
"The first thing we were thankful for was that he was alive," Matt said. "In my job, I know that's not always the way it works out."
Colby Liston, a freshman from Derby, is a double amputee. In an accident last August, his first weekend of freshman year, Colby was pinned between cars and lost both his legs above the knees. After a year of recovery and adapting to prosthetics, he has re-enrolled at the University and now works out at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center six days a week.
As their son drifted in and out of consciousness after surgery, Matt and his wife Dara knew the reality of the situation: Colby would never feel sand
between his toes again. But the Listons focus on the positive.
1:27 A.M. SUNDAY, AUG. 26, 2012 The Saturday after classes started was Colby's first time going out to a house party. It was also his last. He doesn't see how getting drunk with strangers is enjoyable, but parties seemed like part of the college experience and he was ready to try new things.
A friend arrived to give Colby a ride home. Six other party-goers were also
squeezing into the SU v. So Colby went around back to hop in the hatch. It was rainy and the car was illegally double-parked on Tennessee Street.
Julian Kuszmaul would tell police officers that he was driving
his girlfriend and her roommate home from a party that night. Then a 21-year-old University student from Lawrence, Kuszmaul had been previously convicted of driving under the influence.
Kusmau's car rear-ended the SUV, pinning Colby between the two vehicles.
"I don't remember any of it," Colby said. "I got hit, got taken to the hospital and woke up the next morning. That's all I know."
Kuszmaul's eyes were bloodshot and watery. The reporting officer noticed the smells of alcohol on his breath and burnt marijuana on his clothes and in
his silver Ford Explorer. He failed a field sobriety test and was in possession of an estimated three grams of marijuana, rolling papers and a grinder.
rining papers and a german
At Lawrence Memorial Hospital, he
was asked to take a blood test. Kuszmaul
wouldn't consent, but cooperated with
medical staff. His blood alcohol content
was found to be 0.25 — more than three
times the legal limit of 0.08.
No warrant was filed for this blood test. The state argued an implied consent statute covers serious injury or
'HOW CAN YOU FEEL THAT?' Since his older brother is off playing football at Missouri Western State University, the family tradition of picking siblings falls to Colby and 10-year-old Reid. Under the dinner table at home, Reid kicks Colby in his plastic foot.
"When he says, 'I'm never going to sit in a wheelchair again,' he's never going to sit in a wheelchair again."
"Stop!" Colby says.
'HOW CAN YOU FEEL THAT?'
Colby isn't following the case. He said he doesn't care.
"How can you feel that?" Reid says. Thanks to direct suction, Colby can feel when he steps on a rock, and when his brother kicks him.
Kuszmaul faces charges of driving under the influence, refusing a blood test, following too closely and drug possession.
fatal collisions in the event that a traffic offense can also be cited.
"Even if he got the death penalty, it still wouldn't get my legs back."
Earlier this month, the Douglas County District Judge granted the defense's motion to suppress the results of the blood test. The District Attorney's office has asked to appeal this decision. A court date has not been set.
MATT LISTON Colby's father
Between both legs, Colby has more than $200,000 of top-of-the-line machinery. His parents' insurance policies have covered medical bills and his prosthetics. When his warranty expires after three years, his legs will
"I Insurance is a beautiful thing." Colby said. "These are not cheap at all."
have to be replaced again.
"I receive a beautiful thing." Colby
The red and blue sockets he straps on every morning go directly on skin. Each is decked out with a layhawk. His hydraulic knees have microprocessors that adjust the air control cylinder according to how Colby puts pressure on them. He tucks his feet into neon running shoes or flip-flops that he Velcros on. He wears shorts year-round.
"It's not like my legs get cold," he said.
OFF AND RUNNING
The wheelchair, the shower chair, special door handles all the adaptive
equipment had to go as soon as possible. Colby won't even use a handicap parking permit. When other bilateral amputees told him the hardest thing they do is walk up and down stairs. Colby moved from his room on the first floor to a basement bedroom. For Colby, recovery was a matter of making himself do it.
It started in the living room
Colby took five steps on newly fitted legs. The next time, he took six. Then, he walked all the way back and forth. He could make it across the room with only one crutch, so he tried without any crutches, just to see if he could do it.
As soon as he accomplished one small thing,he was working toward the next goal.
"Ive always told my kids to concentrate on the things you know you can do instead of the things you can't do"his dad said.
can tell him.
It was tough for Matt to let himself watch Colby fall. Matt wanted to catch him or help him up, but Colby didn't want the help. Colby had to learn how to fall and get himself back up again.
Prosthetics aren't comfortable. At first, he would want "the damn things" off after less than 30 minutes. Now, he can have them on for 18 hours a day.
can have them then "You can't strap these things on the first day and think you're off and running," Colby said. "It's not that way at all."
Colby and his parents didn't know
SEE COLBY PAGE 3
Index
CLASSIFIEDS 7
CROSSWORD 5
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 4
SPORTS 10
SUDOKU 5
Don't forget
To buy candy for trick-or-treaters.
All contents. unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
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