Carter

Carter Lewis has always known exactly what he wanted to do. From the time he was young, he was drawn to the fire service. By age 16, he was already volunteering with the fire department, building experience and preparing for the day he could serve his community as a professional firefighter.

That dream became reality when Carter joined Hanover Fire EMS. But on his very first shift after completing the academy, his life took an unexpected turn.

While responding to a call on Interstate 295 during a tropical storm, Carter and his crew were parked on the interstate when a tractor trailer struck them. The crash caused severe injuries to Carter’s lower right leg. His foot had been crushed beyond repair, and doctors determined that the best course of action was an amputation below the knee.

In the weeks that followed, he endured multiple surgeries and a long recovery. His knee had also been badly damaged in the crash, requiring extensive reconstruction. After spending several weeks in the hospital and undergoing additional procedures to treat infection, Carter began the slow process of rebuilding his strength and mobility.

For Carter, the path forward was clear.

“I just knew that the only way to overcome it was to push forward and do whatever I needed to do in order to function normally again.”

His goal was simple: return to work as a firefighter as soon as possible.

That goal came with challenges. Carter had to rebuild the strength he had lost during his recovery. His quadriceps had significantly atrophied, and he spent countless hours in physical therapy working to restore muscle strength and improve knee mobility. Learning to walk and eventually run on a prosthetic leg required patience, persistence, and determination. Along the way, he also faced setbacks with prosthetic socket fit and knee mobility limitations.

But Carter kept pushing forward.

One particularly meaningful source of encouragement came when he connected with Mike East (part of our inaugural 2025 Mission Gait All Stars cohort), a deputy sheriff who had experienced a similar injury. Hearing from someone who had faced the same type of challenge and successfully returned to an active life was incredibly motivating.

Through months of rehabilitation, Carter steadily rebuilt his strength, stability, and endurance. As a firefighter, he knew he would need to carry heavy equipment, handle hose lines, climb ladders, and move quickly in demanding environments. Every therapy session and every training day brought him one step closer to that goal.

Just seven months after his injury, Carter achieved what once seemed impossible. He returned to work as a firefighter.

Today, Carter continues to serve with Hanover Fire EMS, doing the job he has always loved. Back at the firehouse, he trains alongside his fellow firefighters and responds to calls just like anyone else on the crew. Aside from a small adjustment in how he gears up before a call, he performs the same duties as his colleagues.

Outside of work, he remains just as active. An avid outdoorsman, Carter enjoys hunting and fishing and continues to push himself physically every day.

His mindset remains the same as it was during those early days of recovery: keep moving forward.

“The only thing that can stop you is you.”

Carter’s journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, determination, and purpose can carry someone through even the most difficult challenges and sometimes, lead them right back to the place they were meant to be.

Carter Lewis has always known exactly what he wanted to do. From the time he was young, he was drawn to the fire service. By age 16, he was already volunteering with the fire department, building experience and preparing for the day he could serve his community as a professional firefighter.

That dream became reality when Carter joined Hanover Fire EMS. But on his very first shift after completing the academy, his life took an unexpected turn.

While responding to a call on Interstate 295 during a tropical storm, Carter and his crew were parked on the interstate when a tractor trailer struck them. The crash caused severe injuries to Carter’s lower right leg. His foot had been crushed beyond repair, and doctors determined that the best course of action was an amputation below the knee.

In the weeks that followed, he endured multiple surgeries and a long recovery. His knee had also been badly damaged in the crash, requiring extensive reconstruction. After spending several weeks in the hospital and undergoing additional procedures to treat infection, Carter began the slow process of rebuilding his strength and mobility.

For Carter, the path forward was clear.

“I just knew that the only way to overcome it was to push forward and do whatever I needed to do in order to function normally again.”

His goal was simple: return to work as a firefighter as soon as possible.

That goal came with challenges. Carter had to rebuild the strength he had lost during his recovery. His quadriceps had significantly atrophied, and he spent countless hours in physical therapy working to restore muscle strength and improve knee mobility. Learning to walk and eventually run on a prosthetic leg required patience, persistence, and determination. Along the way, he also faced setbacks with prosthetic socket fit and knee mobility limitations.

But Carter kept pushing forward.

One particularly meaningful source of encouragement came when he connected with Mike East (part of our inaugural 2025 Mission Gait All Stars cohort), a deputy sheriff who had experienced a similar injury. Hearing from someone who had faced the same type of challenge and successfully returned to an active life was incredibly motivating.

Through months of rehabilitation, Carter steadily rebuilt his strength, stability, and endurance. As a firefighter, he knew he would need to carry heavy equipment, handle hose lines, climb ladders, and move quickly in demanding environments. Every therapy session and every training day brought him one step closer to that goal.

Just seven months after his injury, Carter achieved what once seemed impossible. He returned to work as a firefighter.

Today, Carter continues to serve with Hanover Fire EMS, doing the job he has always loved. Back at the firehouse, he trains alongside his fellow firefighters and responds to calls just like anyone else on the crew. Aside from a small adjustment in how he gears up before a call, he performs the same duties as his colleagues.

Outside of work, he remains just as active. An avid outdoorsman, Carter enjoys hunting and fishing and continues to push himself physically every day.

His mindset remains the same as it was during those early days of recovery: keep moving forward.

“The only thing that can stop you is you.”

Carter’s journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, determination, and purpose can carry someone through even the most difficult challenges and sometimes, lead them right back to the place they were meant to be.