Early 2010 Mike Franklin was in a grizzly motorcycle accident that left him in a coma with a shattered ankle, broken leg, shoulder, and neck. The doctor’s were 90-percent sure they’d have to amputate his leg, ending his skating career. In an incredible twist of fate, one of the doctors found out Mike was an amateur skater, implemented a decades’ old muscle flap procedure, and not only saved Mike’s leg, but made it possible for him to walk and skate again.
His recovery was inspirational and had the community of street skateboarding backing him up. Several fundraisers were organized at local skate parks in his home town of Valencia and elsewhere. Athlete Recovery Fund (now merged with Road2Recovery) was instrumental in helping Mike and his family navigate through doctor bills and keeping funds raised for critical therapies and rehabilitation.
