Good rider down, not out!

[paul]

Last Monday morning my wife came upon a motorcycle accident about 10 - 20 minutes after it happened. People were just helping the victims and had the rider on the ground and were tending him. EMS and others started arriving just about that time. She called me to tell me to be caereful, mentioned the accident and said it looked like the rider had lost his leg.

Well, we learned yesterday that this was indeed one of our "family" part of the group with which we ride. Our ties are closer than just being biking buds. We are "family" in a sense, as I said.

Anyhow, he is in Memorial Herman, and in good spirits. He did loose his leg from the knee down. He has been requesting one legged jokes from us. This is a man who has probably put more miles on a bike than any 5 of us together. He has litterallly ridden all his life and probably seen parts of every state from the saddle. He will be back, and I'm sure will ride again. We don't know what happened, but do know that two cars were involved. Since Joel was an experienced rider, we expect that one of the fools in a cage was responsible. But, we'll see. In the mean time, we'll take care of our friend.

[Dave]

Anyhow, he is in Memorial Herman, and in good spirits. He did loose his leg from the knee down.

Tell him I understand how it is. If one must loose a limb, a leg is probably the one to loose, especially if it were the left.

If he needs some one to talk to about it, let me know. He's more than welcomed to my e-mail and phone number.


http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp80/Dave9945/Dave.jpg

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Really hate to hear this bad news. My thoughts and prayers will go out for him.

[billmac]

Bless his heart. Hope he recoups fast. Glad your there for him.

[schoeney]

Dave, I would think your insight and experience would mean a lot to Joel. I hope he is open to communicating with you. Way to go to bat for a fellow two wheeler.

Regal- Please tell Joel he has a bunch of friends that he has waved to that are pulling for him.

[glwilson]

Very sorry to hear about your friend. We hope he handles this well and recovers soon.

Dave... good man for offering some support.

[Loafer]

It's always sad to hear of tragedies, thoughts and prayers are being sent. Not sure, but I would think the rehab will be stressful.

[nomadbehappy]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like he has a positive attitude which is so important in one's recovery. Best wishes to your friend

[paul]

Thanks, all! I will certainly pass on the info. Dave, Thanks for your offer, and your courage. Will let you know. Right now, he's surrounded by a good group of "old heads".

[deacon]

Thirty years ago it would have severely limited his mobility. Prosthetics have vastly improved! Prayer sent.

[jesse]

Send my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I also lost my right leg below the knee (check avatar picture, life is short when you can't have fun) I would be happy to talk to him anytime he feels the need.
Sounds like the right attitude already.

[Cajunrider]

I'm sure that Jesse can offer him words of encouragement also. Hope that he heals up soon and doesn't lose his spirit for riding. I have a ton of respect for people like Dave, Jesse, and Gina who have survived a crash and not lost their will to ride. I don't know if I could do the same under the same circumstances.

[usranger74]

I am sorry to hear about your friend. It sounds like he has the right attitude for a quick recovery and I wish him the best. And, hats off to Dave and Jesse for offering their help.

[bobhamlin]

Tell him to hang in there. My father, a Marine, lost his right leg to a land-mine in Korea. He toughed it out with a prosthetic (aka "wooden") leg.

Just last weekend, I was talking with a couple Walter Reed patients that had lost legs to IEDs. One of them was working with a transition leg that is computerized. He was calibrating it by walking around at a local PGR fund-raiser. The look of excitement on his face was an incredible thing to behold. Only later in the day could I perceive him starting to noticeably limp. He said he overtaxed some muscles and should probably have known better.

I could just imagine my dad's jaw dropping if he could have seen what this leg could do. Walking smoothly is a very complex act.

[Netnorske]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. He'll need his friends more than ever right now....glad you are there for him.