BY JUAN CARLOS CHAVEZ

A young man from Cuba, whose legs were blown off by a mine while escaping the island, recently obtained a radiology degree in Miami and has recovered his ability to walk -- thanks to donated prosthetic limbs.

Amado Veloso Vega, 38, arrived in exile in July 2007 with a humanitarian visa after unsuccessfully attempting to escape Cuba at least half a dozen times.

News of his arrival caused an outpouring of public support and donations, especially from the Cuban exile community.

''I think I have fulfilled the expectations of all the people that came out to help me,'' said Veloso during an interview. ``I am not a burden for others. I have a decent profession and a lot of plans in mind, such as returning the assistance I received by working in favor of the needy.''

'GREAT ROLE MODEL'

Veloso graduated in February as a radiologist from the Advanced Science Institute, a technical school in Hialeah that had awarded him a full scholarship.

''We did it with a lot of love because this young man is a great role model and we certainly had to offer him the opportunity,'' noted Pablo J. Pérez, the school's director that made sure Veloso would follow a career that is still growing, despite the economic downturn.

''He has been an honors student, dedicated and very responsible,'' said Pérez, adding that Veloso's odyssey reflects the sacrifice Cubans are willing to endure while fleeing their country.

LEGS LOST

In November 1992, Veloso had made it past the third ring of security between Cuban territory and the U.S. Navy base in Guantánamo, dragging himself along the ground. The strip of land -- known as ''no-man's land'' -- is peppered in anti-personnel mines.

One of the mines exploded, tearing his legs off and causing him injuries so severe that when he was transported to the provincial hospital in Guantánamo, medics found no signs of life.

''I'm a survivor,'' said Veloso. ``But life has taught me that there is always hope.''

An emergency-room medic noticed that he was still breathing and immediately gave him a shot of adrenaline that brought him back.

After his release from the hospital, Veloso was sentenced to 24 months' house-arrest.

Some of his neighbors and family members turned their backs on him. But Veloso continued trying to flee and in September 2006 decided to leave from Cajio beach, just south of Havana, on his own.

Although he was intercepted 27 miles from Cozumel and detained in Guantánamo for nine months, Veloso finally made it to the United States.

''It was like a dream come true. Nearly 14 years had passed,'' recalled Veloso, referring to the time elapsed since his first attempted escape that left him handicapped.

`LIKE A REWARD'

Veloso was contacted by Cuban American doctor Armando Quirantes, a specialist in prosthetics, who immediately offered to help.

After examining his patient, Quirantes obtained the most technically advanced prosthetics.

''I felt that this young man deserved an opportunity, especially for the bravery of trying to cross the sea after having passed through all these vicissitudes,'' Quirantes said.

"It was like a reward, but in exchange we asked him not to let down the community and to stand as a role-model of success.''