I think the reason he acts like it was no big deal is because he is euphoric over being alive. Seriously. I was struck by a car last April (April 2011) while cycling. I had 14 staples in my head, a brain concussion, an inner ear concussion with permanent 62% loss of function in my left inner ear, vertigo for several months and I still get dizzy on a pretty regular basis (yes, I was wearing a helmet), but I was so thankful that it wasn't worse that I was somewhat euphoric for several days. When my wife got to the ER and came into my room I was joking and trying to put her at ease just like this kid was doing with his mom. I agree, life with 1 hand is going to be a BIG change and we know from the story that he was previously right handed. Ronald Reagan is said to have been making jokes with the doctors prior to going into emergency surgery after being shot. There is a euphoria to being alive when you very well could have been dead and I'll tell you it can last for days. Also, there is a very humbling feeling of gratitude when others help you when you are unable to help yourself.
I was born in Florida and it is going to take several of you to throw me in the fresh water there and I really avoid getting in the ocean too and only grudgingly go out about knee deep with my little kids who I can't convince my wife from keeping out of the water. As Badbullgator alluded to, I don't like going anywhere where I'm not the baddest thing around and with the aid of firearms and archery equipment that is basically just in the water. Man is an apex predator as long as we are on land and properly armed.
