Saturday, June 2, 2007
Alive and Recovering
I want to thank everyone for all the well wishes, comments, emails, phone calls, prayers, cards, etc. regarding my recent motorcycle accident. I have been overwhelmed by all the support I've received from close friends and strangers alike, including this get-well from Ari Henning, son of motorcycle racing legend Todd Henning, "Sorry to hear a fellow rider went down, but glad no serious injuries were sustained. Best wishes for a fast recovery!"
For those of you who don't know, Todd was one of America's most successful racers, having racked up over 500 career victories and 44 wins at Daytona. In 1999, Todd's racing career came to an abrupt end due to serious head injuries sustained at Sears Point Raceway. To honor his father's wish that his sons ride cross-country as he had once done, Ari spent six months alone discovering America on his motorcycle without defined plans or time frames in mind. Seeing the country as his father had is detailed in his article "Rite of Passage" from the current (June) issue of Motorcyclist Magazine.
As Peter reported, I sustained only "minor" injuries. I am walking with crutches as my left foot is swollen and my hip is bruised. Each morning since the accident has revealed new pains, especially in my neck and back. No doubt it is whiplash. My head aches all the time and my left ear hurts as well. But I'm hoping I've seen the worst of it and that I'll have a full recovery before long. Let's hope so anyway.
I am extremely fortunate to have survived the accident and I attribute my good fortune to my gear. Had it not been for my helmet, I would either be dead or a vegetable. Had it not been for my protective riding gloves, jacket and overpants, I would have at the very least suffered several broken bones. I rarely ride with protective pants and I was lucky that the day I went down I was wearing them. My knees were protected and I have full use of them as a result.
Paul from Buena Vista (Rider #45) called and told me "No one ever complains about how much they spend on a second helmet." How true.
One last thought: If you haven't already done so, add "I.C.E. 1" as a contact on your cell phone. It is the "In Case of Emergency" number paramedics will look for and call if you are found in need of emergency care.
For those of you who don't know, Todd was one of America's most successful racers, having racked up over 500 career victories and 44 wins at Daytona. In 1999, Todd's racing career came to an abrupt end due to serious head injuries sustained at Sears Point Raceway. To honor his father's wish that his sons ride cross-country as he had once done, Ari spent six months alone discovering America on his motorcycle without defined plans or time frames in mind. Seeing the country as his father had is detailed in his article "Rite of Passage" from the current (June) issue of Motorcyclist Magazine.
As Peter reported, I sustained only "minor" injuries. I am walking with crutches as my left foot is swollen and my hip is bruised. Each morning since the accident has revealed new pains, especially in my neck and back. No doubt it is whiplash. My head aches all the time and my left ear hurts as well. But I'm hoping I've seen the worst of it and that I'll have a full recovery before long. Let's hope so anyway.
I am extremely fortunate to have survived the accident and I attribute my good fortune to my gear. Had it not been for my helmet, I would either be dead or a vegetable. Had it not been for my protective riding gloves, jacket and overpants, I would have at the very least suffered several broken bones. I rarely ride with protective pants and I was lucky that the day I went down I was wearing them. My knees were protected and I have full use of them as a result.
Paul from Buena Vista (Rider #45) called and told me "No one ever complains about how much they spend on a second helmet." How true.
One last thought: If you haven't already done so, add "I.C.E. 1" as a contact on your cell phone. It is the "In Case of Emergency" number paramedics will look for and call if you are found in need of emergency care.
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