Missing man presumed drowned in Utah Lake inspired amputees
Under the screen name "captaindanger384," Craig Decker of West Jordan posted four tutorials on the popular video-sharing Web site to teach others who had lost an upper extremity how to cope with simple day-to-day tasks. With instructional videos including typing on a keyboard, tying shoelaces and opening jars, Decker had a message of hope to share.
"There's always a way to do things," he said in a clip on opening cans. "You just have to find a way and make a way."
Decker, a Brigham Young University student majoring in neuroscience, jumped into the water about a mile west of Utah State Park Marina to recover some equipment that had fallen from a boat and did not resurface Saturday evening. He was sailing with his parents, Lyle and Marie Decker, on a 14-foot catamaran.
Rescue parties continue to search Monday for his body. They've expanded the search to an area of about four square miles.
While no sign of their son has been found, the Decker family said they've come to terms with his passing. They felt frantic the day he went missing, but they've found genuine peace in the past few days and said they hope those who've come to know their son will do the same.
Decker lost his right hand on New Year's Eve in 2006 when a firework he bought in Mexico exploded in his hand. Since that time, he was determined to live a meaningful life.
"Challenges make us stronger and better," he wrote on his YouTube profile. "With creativity and patience, we are capable of much more than we ever imagined."
Along his journey to readapt to life without a right hand, Decker met 44-year-old Sean McHugh of Catasauqua, Pa. McHugh had lost his arm in a construction accident. After the accident, McHugh started making and posting YouTube videos under the screen name "theguywiththehook" to help amputee survivors lead a fulfilling life.
Decker contacted McHugh to consult him on prosthetic options, and the two soon became friends despite the geographic divide. Decker took a cue from McHugh and posted his own instructional videos.
"I knew him to be a very bright young man with an incredible sense of humor and a light heart," McHugh said. "He managed to get through that very ugly accident with a very positive attitude."
In McHugh's work as as a peer counselor for Amputee Coalition of America, he frequently talks with those whose "world is rocked" by the loss of a limb. They often ask "Why me?" or become angry and resentful, McHugh said, but he never saw any of that in Decker.
Recent comments
My most sincere condolences to his family and friends. My husband...
Anonymous | July 23, 2008 at 9:47 p.m.
My heart goes out to Craig's family. I know they love him dearly...
Autumn | July 12, 2008 at 9:09 a.m.
Craig was inspiring in his attempts to go beyond his limitations....
Phil | July 8, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.
