Bay daredevil Mary calls it quits | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Freestyle motocross rider "Scary" Mary Perkins is back on her feet, six months after the horror crash that saw her nearly lose a leg.

But the 26-year-old, who was ranked the top female stunt rider in the world, is giving up her sport, as another crash would almost certainly see her lose one or both legs.

"I'm currently saying I'm not going to risk it. It's too important to have my legs on," Miss Perkins told the Bay Of Plenty Times.

"I know there's more to life than bikes. The scary part is, if I damage it again, I'm quite likely to definitely lose it this time.

"There are 15 (metal) pieces in my legs. If I damage them I'm going to be in big trouble."

The Te Puke woman broke both legs and dislocated an ankle in the December accident, when she dropped six metres off a ramp while practising moves on her bike. The crash left her facing an 80 per cent chance her left leg would have to be amputated.

It's been six months of hard graft to get where she is today. Miss Perkins spent a month in hospital, four months in a wheelchair, and eight weeks on crutches before finally taking her first steps three weeks ago.

She began an activity-based rehabilitation programme 10 weeks ago, and goes to the gym every day to build up her strength. Walking can be painful, and she has to be careful not to overdo it.

"I do a bit of cycling, arm weights, a few leg weights to try and build the muscle up. I have to limit that because it puts a strain on it," she said.

The speed of her recovery has surprised doctors, who prepared her to expect more surgery and an artificial joint.

Perkins has come to terms with the end of her motocross career, but plans to stay involved with the sport with her business Encounter FMX, organising stunt shows for events and doing commentary.

"It definitely is the end of something. My whole identity has been'Scary Mary', although I don't like that.

"In a sense I have lost that, but I think it is time for new things."

Miss Perkins spent her recovery time working on plans for a new career as a counsellor.

She has started a degree in counselling through Bethlehem Tertiary Institute and plans to work with young people.

"I'm going to to do motocross camps offering life skills to kids through the sport. That's kind of my goal ahead, through our shows and events. I want to influence young people, that's my big thing."

She became interested in helping people fight depression after a head injury 2 1/2 years ago.

"It really made me realise how strong the mind is. I got an understanding of pulling through that, and not ending up depressed, because a lot of people with head injuries end up depressed. Fighting that, and getting through it, I got an understanding of how the mind works.

"Since then I really took an interest in wanting to help people with problems with depression."

Miss Perkins said she was still an adrenaline junkie, but she was hoping to meet that need in other ways. Next year she hoped to be able to snowboard and "play around" on a bike.

"I think it's still part of me, I want that adrenaline. I think I'll always have that.

"I still get a sense of adrenaline from running shows.

"[Studying] is something new and exciting and I am enjoying it. There is no point in wallowing in what I've lost and letting that overcome me. There's still lots in life to do."