HMS teacher Bill Mingace (left) sits with his cousin, Vinny Collotta, in this photo taken prior to the motorcycle crash.

At the beginning of a new year, many people make resolutions to improve their lives. Bill Mingace, a civics teacher and baseball coach at Hopkinton Middle School, had one resolve — to go home from a rehabilitation center after months of excruciating pain and multiple operations.

Mingace was sidelined from teaching by a devastating motorcycle accident on Oct. 6. At that time, his cousin, Vinny Collotta, shared information about the incident with the Independent. Collotta said Mingace was on his way from work to visit him at his Grafton home when his motorcycle was struck by a truck. The pair had planned to ride their motorcycles to dinner together that evening.

In response, Collotta created a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help Mingace with home care and other expenses. As of Jan. 15, $10,823 of the $15,000 goal had been raised, which is 73% of the goal amount.

First steps taken since accident

In recent emails to the Independent, Mingace reflected on his arduous recovery and the strength he gained from community support.

“I was released on [Jan. 9] and acclimating to being back home,” he shared on Jan. 12.

Four days earlier, Mingace took his first steps in months “with the help of the walker.” Earlier that day, he received permission from his doctor to engage in full weight-bearing activity.

Mingace added that he purchased his first home in November 2024. He has been “anticipating returning to it and sleeping in my own bed” for the past few months.

“I still have a long journey with PT coming up,” he stated, “but this was a big step forward, literally.”

Despite surgical complications, Mingace has remained optimistic about his recovery. While he faces medical and financial challenges, he shared that his spirits have been buoyed by community support.

Recovery process detailed

“In the first two days after the accident, I had multiple surgeries,” Mingace recounted. “I had the tendon connected to my knee reattached, two screws inserted above the knee and a metal rod inserted where my femur had broken. I had metal wiring put around my pelvis to help reshape where it was broken and two metal screws put into the side of the pelvis.”

Added Mingace: “All of that hardware is permanent.”

More surgery followed in the ensuing weeks, including the reconstruction of a toe and his left hand.

“I have half a toenail on that toe,” he stated. “I was told that my toenail might never grow back.”

“I had surgery on my left hand where my thumb and pointer finger meet,” he continued. “Three metal pins were put into that hand to keep the bone growth straight. I had surgery on my right forearm in which a metal plate was inserted and one of my main tendons reattached.”

In addition, a metal pin was placed into Mingace’s wrist horizontally to stabilize it. It remained for several weeks, which he described as “painful.”

Despite these efforts, Mingace required subsequent operations on both hands, “as they were not healing 100% as intended.”

Since these surgeries, Mingace shared that his medical appointments “have been positive.”

“I have been participating in daily physical therapy and feel myself getting stronger,” he stated.

Mingace conceded that while he has “kept a positive attitude for most of this experience,” he had “only one bout of frustration and negative emotion that lasted a few days.”

He added: “I haven’t cried out in pain much at all, and I had decided to stop the painkillers weeks ago, all while pushing my body during physical therapy sessions.”

Rehab, holidays challenge optimism

“It has been difficult at times to cope with the situation that I find myself in,” he noted. “It has helped a lot to have people who have been here for me.”

Mingace’s family has been incredibly supportive. His parents, stepparents and two brothers have been frequent visitors. Collotta, who he described as being like a brother, has been by his side throughout his healing journey.

The holiday season was both heartwarming and challenging for Mingace.

“I’ve tried to get into the holiday spirit by shopping for gifts online and decorating my room with a small Christmas tree and lights,” Mingace stated. “Christmas is my favorite holiday, and it has been hard to watch everyone participate in holiday activities through social media. I am doing my best to participate, and the staff at my current facility [did] a great job of spreading holiday cheer.”

At the rehabilitation facility, Mingace spent time reading, solving crossword puzzles and streaming movies during his more mundane moments. Watching the New England Patriots play football each week and shopping online for holiday gifts occupied his time outside of physical therapy and doctors’ appointments.

Hopkinton help heightens hopes

The support Mingace has received from Hopkinton has been overwhelming, he shared.

“I’ve always known Hopkinton to be a wonderful community,” stated Mingace. “But I fully realized it when I experienced the outpouring of support from former students, families, friends and individuals who came across my story.”

Mingace described gifts he received, including “a handmade blanket that I use every day.”

“I’ve made friends with a Hopkinton resident who reached out after the first week of recovery and who made it in each week to have lunch with me,” he added. “Many others have reached out or visited me, and it has made a huge difference in keeping my morale up.”

Mingace added that he is grateful for the dozens of messages of encouragement he has received and financial support from a work fundraiser.

“I have always felt supported by the Hopkinton community, but this experience has solidified my understanding of how valued I am by the community,” he stated.

Introspection grows as road ahead beckons

On a deeper level, Mingace used this period to reflect on his life, leading to greater introspection and motivation.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself and the community of Hopkinton through this experience,” stressed Mingace. “I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I realized, both mentally and physically.”

Mingace has focused on improving his physical and mental health in other ways. Eating healthfully and connecting more with loved ones are two priorities.

“I’ve learned to take care of the important things and to not waste my time,” continued Mingace. “[I’m] focusing my attention to staying caught up with developments at work and personal pursuits, such as writing and historical education.”

Mingace’s current project is writing and hopefully publishing his story.

Said Mingace: “It helps, even if my work simply leads to a sense of catharsis.”