Dakota Gloria knows the risks that come with being an electrical lineman, but not even he could have anticipated coming into contact with a live wire.
Dakota Gloria knows the risks that come with being an electrical lineman, but not even he could have anticipated coming into contact with a live wire.
Gloria will be honored during the final INTEGRIS Health “Home Run for Life” of the 2024 OKC Baseball Club season on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. “Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during a pregame ceremony.
On Nov. 16, 2022, Gloria was working near Kingfisher, Okla., when he was almost electrocuted after touching a high-voltage live wire. Since the voltage was so high, it blew him off the wire instead of keeping him stuck, likely saving his life. “I most likely wouldn’t be here today,” Gloria said if he had instead come into contact with a lower voltage wire.
Gloria was airlifted to the Paul Silverstein Burn Center at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He suffered trauma to his left arm and third-degree burns on his shoulders and back. The doctors decided the best course of action was to amputate and do a nerve transfer to relieve phantom pain.
Gloria underwent three skin grafts and spent a month in the burn unit. It was a tough road to recovery, but his wife, Kody, and his children Jaylee and Iceyn were there to support him. “My wife and kids were my motivation,” Gloria said.
While he’s no longer a lineman, Gloria spends plenty of time with his family, breeding and raising show pigs. Gloria has learned to hunt, fish and tend to the livestock without the use of his prosthetic and still lives his life to the fullest. “I like to say the accident was the best worst thing that ever happened to me,” he said.
