Six years ago, Kurt Yaeger was in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco that left him with multiple internal injuries as well as a severe leg injury, which caused doctors to amputate his left leg below the knee. "I tore off my most of my leg, broke my pelvis in half, tore my bladder in half, broke seven vertebrae, collapsed my lung, broke some ribs, concussion. I was in the hospital for almost four months, and lying in bed for almost another year," said Yaeger regarding the accident.
Yaeger endured 28 surgeries, and began the long road to recovery. It was not an easy road for Yaeger, but he ultimately was able to return to his passion for BMX, with the help of magnetic pedals and some homemade engineering on the outsole of an etnies shoe.
Yaeger went on to ride at X Games, and became the first amputee BMXer to land backflips and tailwhips. Following his injuries, Yaeger also took up acting. He posted a photo of himself on a website called "Amputees in Hollywood," and a few weeks later, received a call to appear in "Charlie Wilson's War" alongside Tom Hanks. For there, more roles followed, including "Dolphin Tale" with Morgan Freeman, "Knife Fight" with Rob Lowe, "War Flowers" with Christina Ricci and now with Ron Perlman on "Sons of Anarchy."
Yaeger is now appearing in a reoccurring role on "Sons of Anarchy," playing the role of Greg the Peg, which incorporates his prosthetic leg into his character. According to Yaeger, "Not only is a main PWD (person with disabilities) being played by an actual PWD, this is the first time that a tough, no-nonsense character is also a PWD."
Greg the Peg returns for season five to "Sons of Anarchy" in early September. For now, Yaeger is wrapping up production and working to spread the word about his new role on the FX drama. In the above video, a profile by FOX 11 news, Yaeger discusses his past injuries, the ways in which he was able to use his experiences to help others with injuries, and the fight to get more recognition for actors with disabilities in Hollywood.
"Sons of Anarchy" season five premieres on FX on September 11, 2012.
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