Months after suffering severe burns in a life-altering accident, Ian Nehls is still adjusting to his new normal. 

But considering his initial prognosis, Nehls’ recovery has already been deemed nothing short of miraculous.

“At first, I didn’t even expect to be on the court, or even be at school this year,” said Nehls, a junior on the Thomas More Prep-Marian basketball team. 

“I’m really grateful to be where I am.”

Nehls sustained burns to over 40 percent of his body during an accident on his family farm over the summer. 

“It had to do with filling a canister of gas,” Nehls said. “Gas spilled out and spilled on a running engine. It made a small explosion and I got caught in the mix.

“It was just straight pain. It’s hard to think about what to do to get out of there. Luckily, I did the right thing. I was pretty lucky, I’d say.”

Nehls was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Dodge City and then flown to the regional burn center in Wichita. 

Most of his injuries were third-degree burns that covered three-fourths of his chest and almost all of his arms. He received multiple skin grafts to his arms, hands and chest. 

The initial time table for recovery was daunting. 

“They told me I was supposed to be in the hospital from five to seven months,” Nehls said. 

Nehls attacked his physical and occupational therapy vigorously.  

“I had to wrap my arms two times a day – once in the morning and once in the evening,” Nehls said. “Throughout the day, I had to go hard with physical therapy, trying to walk even … the skin grafts just kind of kill your legs. 

“And then arm movement – keeping your arms straight – and hand movement, trying to get nerves back and keep full movement throughout the arms.”

Remarkably, Nehls was released after just two weeks in the hospital. 

“No one thought that I would be able to get out in the span that I did,” Nehls said. “I was just ready to get out of the hospital and continue life.

“The hardest pain was definitely in the hospital. After that pain, I just wanted to turn on a good mindset and just push through it.”

Nehls turned his focus to making it back for basketball season, which he accomplished after countless hours of physical and occupational therapy. 

“Once I got out of the hospital, I knew that I was capable of doing the things that I’m doing right now,” said Nehls, the Capitol Federal® True Blue® Student of the Week. 

He was named Most Inspirational Player at the season-opening Hays City Shootout. 

“He’s handled it as well as possible,” TMP-Marian boys basketball coach Bill Meagher said. “You have to look at the gift of still being alive, because it could have gone in a different direction. 

“Then, once you’ve survived that, you’ve got to put everything back together.”

Meagher said Nehls’ love for the game helped fuel his quick recovery. 

“It’s been a work in progress getting himself back to where he wants to be, but he has a great attitude,” Meagher said. “He’s hard-working and he’s grown in so many ways this year. It’s impressive, because I don’t think a lot of young people would be able to handle it like he did.”

Just seeing Nehls on the court is a reward in itself.

“I thought there was no way (he would play basketball this season),” Meagher said. “For him, it’s a reward for all his hard work and effort. 

“For us, it’s a joy to watch him play.”

Nehls, who wears protective sleeves on his arms when he plays, still keeps up with his physical therapy and remains in contact with the burn center in Wichita. 

He said a strong support system helped aid his recovery. 

“It’s definitely meant a lot, all the people that supported me when I was in the hospital and all my family coming up to see me,” Nehls said. “It definitely put a smile on my face and also contributed to my optimistic demeanor and how I pushed through it.”

Nehls is also a standout baseball player for the Monarchs and is primed for a big season this spring. 

He often finds himself reflecting on the accident and appreciating how far he's come. 

“I’m starting to think about it more, every morning,” Nehls said. “I’m just thankful that I get to play sports that I love and I get to continue on with my life, even though it’s going to be a new normal. But I’ll still be able to do everything.”

Meagher said Nehls has served as an inspiration for the team and the community.

“We talk all the time about how life gives you adversity and you’ve got to overcome it,” Meagher said. “They’re watching one of their teammates right there in front of them be successful in doing that. 

“It sends a good message for all the fans out here, too. Life is going to knock you down, but you don’t have to stay down.”