Amputee Chef Started Cooking 5 Days After Losing His Hand
Culinary chef Eduardo Garcia lost his hand after being electrocuted in a hunting accident but he never lost his passion for cooking.
Being a culinary chef is partly art and science. While success depends on the quality of ingredients, creativity and a great set of knives, a chef's hands are also integral. They are crucial to every step of the process.
Chef Eduardo Garcia was well on his way to becoming a celebrity chef until a terrible accident in 2011 changed his life. While he was hiking, he saw what he believed to be "dead bear cub in a large tin can.” He decided to investigate it by poking it with his hunting knife. He was instantly electrocuted.
"I remember the sensation of heat, I remember the ambient sounds of frequency being all-encompassing," he told TODAY in an interview.
I knew in that moment that I was dying, and I was walking to get help, and I was walking to save my life.
He survived but not without a terrible cost
Garcia was then brought to the University of Utah's burn trauma center, where he went on to have a total of 18 surgeries in 48 days. But there was even more bad news: his left hand was badly infected and needed to be amputated.
At that point, a lot of people would have given up, or found a new career path. It’s easy to understand how a chef losing a hand could represent an unsurmountable obstacle. But Garcia got right back on his horse…or, to be more accurate, his chef’s block.
His perspective on cooking changed, but not his drive
Eduardo's amputation was no insignificant barrier but his love for cooking was stronger. However, his journey back to his passion was not an easy one.
"I had a job to do, and my job was to be an active participant in my own recovery," Garcia explained. "Relearning, it was everything ... I've had to learn to say I don't need to be a perfectionist in the kitchen."
He had to shift his perspective on cooking from wanting to be perfect to simply enjoying the activity. This taught him to be less difficult on himself.
You've got a hook. How do you figure that out? And you've just got to step in, step up to the table, and just start participating, just say, 'All right, one at a time,' and it may be a failure or it may be a success — just step up.
He was back to cooking only 5 days after his surgeries
Eduardo did step up, and he’s back on top of his game. Five days after his treatments were over, he was already back to cooking for his friends. Now, he runs a food company called Montana Mex, which produces sauces, spices and oils.
He never lost sight of his passion, although he did require some adjustments. While he is known as the 'bionic chef,' due to the prosthetic arm he had to wear, Eduardo now prefers using his hook, as it makes cooking easier.
For him, it was a matter of staying true to his identity, as he explains: "Trying to pay attention and respect the recovery process, the emotional recovery process and also, professionally, just still be me, still be a chef and put myself into that. It's been a funky balance, and I'm working to find that balance, still."
No matter what the obstacle, there is always a way back
While the journey back to his passion and livelihood was not easy, Eduardo demonstrated that no matter what obstacles we face, we can always find the way back to what we love or envision for ourselves.
It may necessitate a change of perspective along the way but that is what enables us to adjust and prepare for future trials. By removing the pressure of perfection, we can simply take it step by step until we reach our goals.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.