Live to Tell: The Long Road Home

17:21Vladimir Duthiers:I remember them trying to push me through the rubble and they couldn't do it. So they just picked me up and they carried me outside. Two terrorists had died when their bombs went off. A third bomb never exploded. And the terrorist carrying that one, the man in the hat, was on the run.

17:43It had been nearly two hours since Seb was hit by a bomb. He had lost 50 % of his blood. Finally, he was on his way to the hospital.

17:53Vladimir Duthiers:They asked me for a phone number. And, you know, that's actually the first time I panicked. I couldn't remember a phone number. And so I was like, how am I going to get Sarah the news? How am I going to get my girls the news that I'm alive, that I made it? And I gave my in-laws landline, which is a number that I've memorized for 18 years. I was like, please answer the phone. I got a phone call from my mom. I didn't realize at the moment how major, how big the terrorist attack was. It was all about Sebastian at that point. Okay, well, he's hurt, so how hurt is he? By now, Kudovan, seen here at the airport, started posting about the attack on social media.

18:42And first photo I posted, it was a photo of Sebastian. For me, it was most important to show everyone, as many say, the face of terrorism. And I immediately went to Facebook, because that's where the news is, quickly. and I saw the photo of Sebastian, you know, lying on the ground. And I remember I was screaming with terror, you know, because he was down on the ground. And just thinking about he could have died or is there still a chance that he could die? I mean, there was all these, so many things going through my mind at that point.

19:25Vladimir Duthiers:The whole purpose was just to get out alive. So you start telling yourself, well, if I lose my left leg, I'm okay. And then they put me under to sleep, and I don't remember anything after that.

19:53In my mind, it was the worst case scenario. Two hours after the bombings, Sebastian Bellen finally made it into the operating room of Dr. Demetrios Kulalis. When you have patients coming out of an explosion, you cannot always find immediately the injury. So you're always afraid that there's something that you missed. Sebastian's right hip and left leg were shattered. Shrapnel from the explosion ripped through his leg, leaving muscle and bone exposed. This is the fracture of his left leg, of the left tibia. You can see it's multifragmented, many fragments. All these are pieces of bone, and the fibula was broken as well.

20:40Dr. Kulalis and his team spent four hours stabilizing the fractures with a brace, controlling the bleeding, and removing the shrapnel, all the while knowing more surgeries would be needed.

20:55Vladimir Duthiers:I woke up from surgery. You're so tired, you're so drained, emotionally and physically, that there's not a lot of room to digest what happened. It's not until later that I realized that there was an attack on the metro as well.

21:17At 9.11 a.m., that same morning, another suicide bomber attacked the Malbec subway station in the heart of Brussels.

21:32Between the two attacks, over 300 were injured, and 32 people had lost their lives. They included people of 14 nationalities, including Americans, mothers, fathers, students, and even a pair of siblings who were on their way to visit their favorite city, New York.

21:57Life is just, you know, it's on threads. It's, um...

22:06Man. You need a lot of luck in these situations.

22:16I remember being extremely impatient and desperate to hear his voice and actually hear that he's okay.

22:26Vladimir Duthiers:The first conversation I had with Sarah, I tried to reassure her. I said, no, look, I'm alive. I'm okay. Everything's going to work out. I didn't believe that he was completely okay. You know, I didn't trust it in his voice. You know, you know your spouse, you know, and you can tell if they're okay or not. So, I maybe calmed down a bit. When I first arrived to the hospital, I just remember being so excited to see him. We both did cry. There were tears, but that's a time of, I mean, I can't stop smiling because I remember that. It's just that feeling of he's here and I can hug him and we can do this.

23:10We're together. He made it. We're only about a half a mile away from the office of the mayor. I was in Brussels covering the attacks when I first met Sebastian. Hey, Sebastian, how's it going, man?

23:22Vladimir Duthiers:The one thing I'm trying to ask myself all the time is, how do I get through this? I would have signed, you know, on the dotted line that said just to be alive and see my two girls again. And I was there when Sebastian's father, his stepmother and two younger brothers, flew from California and paid him a surprise visit. What are you doing? Hi.

23:56You can't do that to me. He and his dad are really close. Oh, man. You've got to give me a one-heads-up after all this. For him to be able to see his dad again and everything that he'd been through, I mean, he just kind of let it go. I remember the military guy wrapping. Tying up your thigh. The big question, would Sebastian ever walk again? Over several weeks, he had four more surgeries to repair the fractures. Now, it was a waiting game. I look forward to challenge myself to get back to where I was before. When I'm in the hospital, this is my pull-ups. And you just hold, go back down. He's a fighter.

24:38He's a man of positive thinking. It's something every doctor hopes to have on his patient.

24:49In the days after the bombings, tension is high and security is increased throughout Belgium. The manhunt for the terrorists is intense.

25:05In the suburbs of Brussels, police arrest some of those involved in the bombings, including being the key player, Mohamed Abrini, the man with the hat. Where are you going now? To the hospital.

25:21Vladimir Duthiers:To the hospital? No, the hospital. Hospital. Hospital. Who are you going to see? Yes. It's unbelievable to think that I was very close to never seeing them again. and they just walk into the room and everything's great.

25:49Hi. What are you doing? I think kids need to touch. You know, they need to be present. Come here. Careful here. Why are you afraid? You think you're gonna hurt my, you're not gonna hurt that. You're not gonna hurt that. You don't have to worry. It's all better. Go ahead, knock it away. Yeah. That's right. FaceTime's great, but to see the actual cast, to touch it, they see that their dad is getting better, is healing.

26:17Vladimir Duthiers:So what happened to Papa's... Why did Papa hurt his leg? Because of the bad guys. Because of the bad guys? What did the bad guys do to Papa? Hit him. They hit me? He's got a toy. And then the leg was broken because it hit me? But where are the bad guys? In there. Okay. So we're all good, right? Can I still throw you up? Can I still throw you up? I'm going to throw you up. I'm very happy to see you. Tough boy. Tough boy. Why do you say tough boy? Because I'm strong. I'm strong? Hello. But when it comes time for Sarah and the girls to go back to Michigan, Sebastian can't go with them. Look at Mama.

27:03After enduring five surgeries, he needs one more. And this one will determine whether he'll be able to walk again. Hey. Did I wake you up just now? Are you sleeping? I'm a little bit anxious about the surgery, but I'm really looking forward to it. Bonjour. Bonjour. They're taking me. They're going to put a pin through my knee, which will solidify the tibia. Love you, honey. See you in a bit. Love you. Love you, too. The risk when you drill a pin into a bone is that you increase the chance of infection. It's a chance I'm willing to take. See you later, son. See you, buddy. Thank you.

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29:35It's amazing. So this is the shrapnel that was in my leg that came out. Good riddance.

29:50The operation went well. I'm just happy it's the last one. I mean, hopefully. You know, it's sixth one, sixth and final one.

30:02It's amazing just seeing both of the legs. I haven't seen both my legs just almost bare like this in two months.

30:29Nothing is taken for granted anymore.

30:41When you survive something like this, there's not one single minute

30:50where you don't sit here in complete gratefulness.

30:59I fought pretty hard to get here. and it's almost like it's full circle.

31:14This last surgery was on Friday the 13th, coincidentally, but the next day was his birthday. So I made a video to his favorite song and I wanted to put something together of photos for him to that song. That's amazing. It was a special birthday. He was alive, celebrating, you know, turning 38. So that's amazing. I might have all the birthday presents I need for the rest of my life, but don't tell my wife that.

31:54Vladimir Duthiers:This is the first time I've been out of the hospital really since the attacks. Is there a speed limit?

32:02The trip is to a Brussels basketball arena where Seb is heading to cheer on one of his old teams as they root for his recovery. This was home for four seasons. I've got some good memories here.

32:32Thank you very much for the support.

32:40Vladimir Duthiers:I did the jump ball, you know, at half court and see basically, you know, a 4 ,000-seat arena just give me a standing ovation.

32:56Vladimir Duthiers:and watching guys that I played with.

33:05Vladimir Duthiers:And so to see it was difficult.

33:12Vladimir Duthiers:I still don't know whether I will be ever able to do sports like I was before.

33:21Vladimir Duthiers:You know, it depends how I heal. Let's go, Austin! Let's go!

33:34This is a big step, because it's all about being able to put more and more weight on my hip,

33:39Vladimir Duthiers:which was reconstructed, and on my leg, which was completely reconstructed as well. So it's a big step. Ready? Ready? Let's go. One, two, three.

34:00Okay.

34:03Vladimir Duthiers:I feel great.

34:07Good. Perfect.

34:14Vladimir Duthiers:All six surgeries are done. The follow-up has been done. Everything is positive. So the next chapter is being able to focus 100 % on rehab, which I'm going to do at the University of Michigan. But I think the big thing is for my daughters.

34:33I love him so much. With kisses on my cheeks.

34:43Vladimir Duthiers:For me to be present again and for me to be, University of Michigan is an hour away from our house. So it's a step closer, they'll be able to come visit. I love him so much. Tall, strong and big.

35:08Oh.

35:12Vladimir Duthiers:It's about four in the morning.

35:17Vladimir Duthiers:It's a big day, so I'm heading home.

35:23Vladimir Duthiers:It's a huge step because you kind of go from getting fixed to now recovery and getting back to my old self. And that to me is the biggest challenge because will I be able to get back to my old self? Who knows, but I'm definitely going to try.

35:43Vladimir Duthiers:I'm flying out of Amsterdam to go back to Detroit. Obviously, Brussels Airport to me is where it all happened. I just don't want to go back there. I mean, there's still vivid images of the attack in my mind. I just don't want to wake anything up.

36:17I wanted the flight to obviously go well. I was concerned about how he would be feeling, if he'd be uncomfortable.

36:35It was terrible. Oh. Pretty good. Pretty good feeling. I was trying to get as many people who could come to be there. He had no idea. We're ready. We're bursting. Okay. Hey! Really?

36:54Vladimir Duthiers:Just waiting for Cici and V to run today. Three months in the making, it's a long time.

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38:10Vladimir Duthiers:I've been through the Detroit airport I don't know how many times, so I know exactly where we're heading. But then the wheelchair exits the elevator.

38:25Vladimir Duthiers:And I see all my family that are there.

38:33Vladimir Duthiers:All of a sudden, it's just, it's the realization that the toughest is behind you.

38:44The road is still long, but you got all these people that got your back.

38:49Vladimir Duthiers:The amount of love that was in that group was just unbelievable. You know, and it's something that I knew I could depend on for the next stage of my rehab.

39:06I'm quite impressed with how well Sebastian's rebounded and healed. He's taking everything on with a positive attitude.

39:15Vladimir Duthiers:Airball. And he hasn't had complications. And so from that perspective, he's doing quite well. Oh, yeah. Dr. Sean Smith oversees Sebastian's rehab. I mean, it's noticeably stronger. He still has a really long way to go, though. Here, what I really find, besides the physical progress, is the mental progress. Like, I really feel confident getting up here and doing these things. Show off. So motivating to keep moving forward. Jeez. I think the hardest injury for Sebastian to overcome is going to be the left ankle and foot. It's that he has severe nerve damage, and we can't predict when somebody's going to be walking, or in Sebastian's case, you know, shooting a jump shot.

40:02Vladimir Duthiers:Ah! Today's the big going home party. It's been a while in the making. I haven't seen Seb in three and a half months. Yo! What's up, man? It's good to see you. Look at you! You know what I'm going to do for you? What? Hold on, stay right there. All right, come on! I can't reach you now, man! This is going to be the first time you step foot into your house. Yeah. I mean, just describe how you're feeling. When you're so close to death, those are things that seem so far away. Now that it's there, you're like, dang it, I did it. You're like a couple hours away. Like, I really did it. I know you got to pack, right?

40:43Vladimir Duthiers:No, I'm already mentally I've been packed for a while. At the University of Michigan, Sebastian was aided by over 15 dedicated teammates who helped him take his first steps. And three, two, one. I'm extremely grateful for all the people that have helped me in the past and still currently involved in healing me. You bond to them because they're part of your rebuilding. All right. You know darn well that you're not walking out with this. Come on. All right. That's where we're going. This is the game time. All right. This is it, man.

41:26I'm so happy that he lived, obviously, and he's doing so well. But to have to kind of start over a little bit, it's like, whoa.

41:38Vladimir Duthiers:No more hospitals for a long time. Being in the hospital in Belgium for so long, you do have to find motivation. And the image I always had was being home. So actually pulling up on June 23rd. And seeing the girls... Welcome home, Papa! It was like it came full circle. Oh, my God.

42:11It came full circle.

42:27Sebastian may be home, but there's no escape from what he's been through. And just three weeks later, he gets a sobering reminder. The French president, Francois Hollande, has been briefed about what is happening right now in Nice. Dozens of people, including several children, were killed when the driver of a truck plowed

42:46Vladimir Duthiers:This is unbelievable. It's tragic.

42:53Vladimir Duthiers:It's why this cycle of hate and viciousness needs to stop. The 32 people that died in Brussels, I think about them all the time. I think I've suffered from post-traumatic stress, but I tried to defeat it with all the other great things that are happening.

43:21My turn! No, no. Yay! Yay!

43:35Vladimir Duthiers:Watch the speed limit, okay?

43:40One, two, three.

43:51For the first time since the attack, Sebastian is able to retake the court where he once played in college. After 234 days, he's finally back on his feet.

44:07Vladimir Duthiers:There's not a thing that can stop me now.

44:13making the most out of his second shot at life.

44:20I love life, you know, and it's been good to me.

44:36During rehabilitation, Sebastian Bellen set a goal of running the Brussels Marathon. He fulfilled that goal by completing the 26-mile race in 2018. When beloved family patriarch Gary Ferris went missing, his family looked everywhere on their property until they came across something horrifying. It's a homicide. Absolutely. The blame game in this family went round and round. This is Blood is Thicker, the Ferris Wheel. I don't see how anyone can look at this story and think they were happy. Blood is Thicker. The Ferris Wheel is available on Amazon Music. Follow the show on Amazon Music for more future episodes.

45:39their own mates. We're a crime family. Oh, don't be silly. We're just a bit complicated, like the Beckons.

45:45Vladimir Duthiers:Can you keep a secret? New series, now streaming on Paramount+.