FAIRFAX, Va. — A young man has renewed hope after losing both of his legs in a car accident. A Suffolk firefighter who is also an amputee is inspiring him to press forward.
16-year-old Austin Hankins has always dreamed of becoming a firefighter.
“I want to save people. I want to save lives. I want to do this to help people that can’t be helped,” Austin said.
He volunteers with Stafford County’s Fire Station 4 and works with his high school fire program to further his ambition.
But Austin’s life took an unexpected turn when five weeks ago, a car accident left him a double amputee. He has had 18 surgeries and despite the challenges ahead, he isn’t letting anything stop him.
“I’ve been doing PT to move; I can get out of my bed sometimes because, you know, staying a month in a bed is a lot,” he said.
Austin's mother Ashley wanted to inspire him now that his path to success is taking a new path. That’s when she discovered the story of firefighter Chris Heater, an amputee who works with the Suffolk Fire Department.
“His determination resonated because it’s very similar to Austin’s, and just seeing that, no matter what adversity was put in Chris’ way, Chris pushed through it,” Ashley said.
Moved by Firefighter Heater’s story of resilience, she wanted him to meet her son.
"I know what it's like to be an amputee and not have to talk to other amputees. Or know what you're down the road, you're going. I was fortunate enough to have that support,” Heater said. “If I can put a smile on his face, or whatever the case may be, I'm in ... I've been in his shoes before, you know. So, like I said, I'll do whatever I can.”
After his 15th surgery, Heater drove from Suffolk to Inova Medical Center in Fairfax to meet Austin. The duo was all smiles meeting for the first time.
Austin said meeting someone like Firefighter Heater gives him hope.
“As his mom and seeing him meet Chris, and his face just lit up when Chris walked into this room. It’s now a tangible thing,” Ashley said.
With the support of his family, mentors, and community even in the face of adversity, dreams can come true.