Kent Collins

Ten months ago Kent Collins was a broken man, literally.

His elbow was shattered into 15 pieces. His pelvis was crushed.  Parts of his back were broken. His wrist and upper arm were broke.  All injuries from a 20-foot fall while installing Christmas lights at a local church.

But, Collins spirits were not broke.

“It really made me appreciate what faith can do. What strength, hope and God can do for us,” he said. “So it has taught me not fear as much with changes in life, and that I can get through just about anything and that my family can get through just about anything.”

Collins was determine to return to fire fighting. The doctors knew he would be able to walk again, but his left arm was severally damaged. It was the limited mobility in his arm, not a broken pelvis or back, that could end his fire fighting career.

“My doctor told me if you get to a point to where you can feed yourself and wash your hair with your left arm, that is the most you will be able to hope for,” Collins said.

Collins endured several surgeries and months of grueling rehabilitation to put his body back together. Nine months ago he was bound to a wheelchair.

Thursday he walked into Oklahoma City Fire Station 34 to report for full firefighter duties.

“I kind of feel at home. I have been a firefighter for 17 years. So a lot of who I am is tied up with being a firefighter. In all that time off, I never felt like a firefighter because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be back.” Collins said.