Monk who lost leg in crash receives prosthetic from Mercer team

Monk Dam Phommasan continues spreading peace after receiving a prosthetic leg in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Buddhist monk is continuing to spread a message of peace after a life changing accident cut his journey short.

Dam Phommasan was one of 19 monks who began a 2,300 mile walk for peace from Texas to Washington, D.C. Weeks into the journey, a crash involving an escort vehicle left him severely injured, and his right leg had to be amputated.

For many, that would have ended the journey, but instead of loss, Phommasan chose acceptance.

“I just understand and accept that I lost this,” he said. “I don’t feel sad about it. If I can come back to this situation, I would join again, even though I know that this will happen.”

Phommasan’s story made its way to Macon, where a Mercer On Mission prosthetics team stepped in to help. Among them was Mercer graduate Dr. Brandon Tran, a doctor of chiropractic.

“Our mission has always been to just serve other people, to put other people in front of ourselves,” he said. “So this is one of those times where treating Phommasan just like any other patient we would. If you were a patient at my practice, it’s going to be the exact same manner of being able to take care of you, being able to give my best to you.”

Phommasan came to Mercer Wednesday, where the team measured, built and fit him with a prosthetic leg in just a matter of hours, a moment Tran says was rewarding.

“Just being able to serve and being able to help as many people and just get a smile on somebody else’s face at the end of the day, that’s all I ask for,” Tran said.

While his walk across the country ended early, Phommasan says his message continues.

“Peace walk in your spirit everyday by practicing mindful meditation,” Phommasan said.