Ok, you want to hear about my accident. I was 21 years old
and thought I had life by the tail, with all the answers and all the
strength
to prove it. Depending on no one. It was January 11th 1988,
a day that is remembered like a birthday. I actually think about that
day
more than my birthday now. It's a bitter sweet day because it brings
back
bad memories, yet I am alive and thankful. I was in the middle of
my junior year of college at the University of Wisconsin Stevens
Point.
I had Christmas break off and I was all set to go. I was in the Navy
Reserves
and a friend and I had put in a request to serve our two weeks active
duty
in Hawaii. We got our request granted, lucky, well I don't know.
We were on the Island of Oahu enjoying our weekend off. We
strolled
down the beach at Wakiki, drove to the North shore to watch the huge
waves
and went snorkeling at Hanama Bay. All was well until we went to Sandy
Beach one bright and sunny morning. We had seen people boogie boarding
there the day before and had decided to try it. It seemed
harmless
and the waves on this side of the island were small and pleasant
looking.
Little did I know that the smaller the wave is, the closer to the shore
it breaks. Thus, you have the answer. I was lying on the
board
and when the wave took me I landed head first breaking my neck
instantly.
It happened fast and I was completely paralyzed. My friend and
the
life guard saw me and pulled me out. I spent a month in Hawaii at
Tripler Army medical center. Here they chipped my hip and fused
the
front of my neck and put in a tracheotomy. I had a collapsed lung
and developed pneumonia also during this time. Then on to the
Milwaukee
VA medical center where I spent 4 months. I went through surgery
on the back of my neck where they fused the vertebra. I also survived
a blood clot in my leg and learned to tell people how to care for
me.
12 scars later, I finished my rehab and began my new life in June of
1988.
I am a C 4/5 complete quad. I have the ability to use pokers to
type
with, I do have limited biceps muscles and can use my arms a bit.
I have no feeling or movement below my shoulders. I can't feel or
move my hands or fingers. I use an electric wheelchair and
require
an enormous amount of care. I lost my independence.
With the help of my family and lots of adjustments, I did
return
to UWSP in the winter of 1989 to finish college. I majored in
Communication
(which my wife can not believe). I met my wife while I was
finishing
college. She was my care giver who became my best friend.
In
June of 1992 we married. Although I tell a gruesome story, I am
living
a happy life with 3 step children. If I could magically change
anything
it would be, live independently, get feeling back, get the use and
strength of my hand use
back,
in that order. Then ultimately get cured completely. If you
would like to donate money to finding a cure, all tax deductible, click
here Spinal
Cord Society Home Page , it's a good cause!
