Former Phoenix police officer Jason Schechterle’s life was turned upside down on March 26, 2001 when a taxi driver traveling at an estimated 100 miles an hour had an epileptic seizure and crashed into the rear of his Crown Victoria patrol car, which burst into flames.

Miraculously, a Phoenix Fire Department truck was at the intersection where the accident took place. Trapped inside, Schechterle’s seat belt had to be cut to extricate him. He suffered severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body, severely disfiguring his face and hands.

Eight minutes passed from the time police and fire crews rescued him and he was in the emergency room. Doctors induced a medical coma for more than two months. He was blind for about eight months. His youngest son at the time did not recognize him.

He and his wife, Suzie, would have another son.

Nine years and 52 surgeries later, Schechterle, 46, is a motivational speaker and spokesman for Serenity Hospice and Palliative Care. He visited the local MorningStar facility Jan. 17 to tell his story. He wrote “Burning Shield,” detailing his recovery and lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company.

He retired from the police force because of his eyesight and difficulty in using his hands and a service weapon.

“It was a wise decision. I have no regrets,” he said. “My entire life changed. What was I supposed to do? Give up?

“Life is 10 percent of what happens to us and 90 percent on how we react to it. We get to choose, every day, how we are going to react.”

Pain and suffering are not meant to discourage the human spirit, Schechterle said. “You grow strong by conflict,” he added.

“My hands and my face were burned. My heart isn’t. My face and my hands are disfigured. My soul isn’t.”