Snakeeyezzes
Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2003
- Messages
- 245
Once I got done writing this I realized how long it is so if you don't have time or want to read it all I understand.
Hello All
It's been a long time, a hard road, and a satisfying victory.
As I look back on the last 6 months I had a few reflections that I wanted to share with the communities that I have loved so much being a part of. The last 6 months of my life have been a time of not only great adversity but also of great triumph and great reflection. Before this all happened I looked at my life as tomorrow will come but you still better live up what you have time for just in case. Friends and family were important but you knew they will be there for you tomorrow if you don't get around to it today. Do what you can but don't worry for if you can't do it today you can try it again tomorrow. These were many of the philosophies that I lived my life by before my accident. But one fateful evening peoples live change without warning or provocation. The accident that I was involved in didn't just take people away from us, but it took a doctor, a father, a son, a brother, a husband, a coworker, a serviceman, and most of all friends. For we were the pawns in a game that we couldn't see happening or have any control over. We were the unwitting players in a game that only one person can win that that person in the person in the automobile.
For anyone who doesn't know or wants the information that I have been given since I don’t' remember much here is what I have been told as well as information for the trial and the police reports
We were on Highway 83 heading south out of North Platte. It was at about 8:30 at night. We were traveling at approximately 75 MPH when a car in the northbound lanes crossed into the southbound lanes on a right hand blind corner. The car traveling at approximately 85 MPH struck the group head on. The front 2 riders (Sorry they need names. They at least deserve that respect. Glen and Eddie) were killed upon impact. The next two riders were able to make evasive maneuvers but were still struck extremely hard by the automobile. (This was myself and Joe) The last 2 riders took glancing blows for the automobile and the riders suffered moderate injuries. (Doug and Jim) The Car continued on it course until it ran into a ditch approximately 1.2 Miles from impacting Glen and Eddie. When police arrived on scene the drives blood alcohol level was at .37. The officers and medical personnel on the scene determined that the driver was also on Methamphetamines. As I stated above Glen and Eddie were killed on impact. Joe and my self were severely injured. Both of us were taken to Mid Plains Regional Medical Center were we were stabilized enough to be air lifted to Kearny were both of us had to undergo several major surgeries to further stabilize us. I was then air lifted to Lincoln where I spent a week under the care of neurosurgeons to determine if I had any brain damage. After they determined that I had not suffered any damage I was taken back to Kearney were I spent 12 weeks in intensive care, 5 of which were in a coma, and then 3 more weeks of recovery. Joe spent 5 weeks in intensive care and 3 week in basic recovery. I don't want to bore you with all the injuries that I suffered but basically 65% of the bones in my body were fractured along with several major organs being injured. Joe was able to not take as much of an impact as I did since he was on the ditch side of the road. He broke 25% of the bones in his body and had several organs injured. Joe also has currently lost the use of his left leg completely, but the doctors are optimistic that he will be able to regain use of it over time. Doug and Jim Suffered several broken bones and spent about 3 week in the hospital. They are both almost completely recovered. The driver of the car went to trial very quickly from what I understand and was found guilty of 2 counts of murder in the second degree, 6 counts of vehicular negligence, 6 counts of DUI, and 4 counts of felony possession. From what I was told the jury deliberated for only 17 minutes and found him guilty on all charges. He is currently serving life +65 year.
This has been a struggle for everyone involved not only the riders but the family, friends and loved ones of us all. I am currently in physical therapy and am able to get around in a wheel chair at the moment. I hope to be able to stand by the end of the month. I do my therapy 4 times a week and am also working with a personnel trainer 3 days a week to gain my strength back. I hope to be able to have limited walking abilities by the end of the summer. Joe is currently in physical therapy and is doing very well. He has gained a lot of his strength back and they hope that he will have limited walking abilities and use of his leg again by the end of the summer. Both Doug and Jim plan to be back at work by the end of this month.
Now that I have boarded you to the point of insanity with fact and stuff now let me get down to what I intended this post to be about.
Through this ordeal I have learned first hand the old adage of do as much as you can today for tomorrow may not come. I have learned that no matter how safe you play the game the game is always out to get you so you must get it first. What ever you do in your life don't let life have the last laugh make sure that you and only you has it. I have also learned that no matter what life throws at you if you truly want to continue to thrive you will. Life is a game that we all must play but what life doesn't know is that we always have the upper hand because we are the ones who set the rules and life has to follow our rules. Nothing can hold the human spirit back. If it wants to continue to thrive it will do so no matter what the obstacles. Adversity is what makes us who we are and no one can that that away from you.
So I guess what I am trying to say in all of this is when the wife give you are hard time about smoking in the house, or the kids just won't lay off when you have a splitting head ache, or the boss just won't quit eating your ass, or your friends just won't let you drive home after you have had only one drink, look them dead in the eyes and tell them thanks, I love you, and keep it up. For it is this caring that keeps us all a family and keeps us striving for the next rung in the latter of life. Don't let anyone tell you that you can do something and if they do make sure to make it a point to show them that they are wrong.
So no matter how long the road is keep on following for it will lead you to places that only people who want to get there will see, no matter how hard it is to get there keep on doing for it will make you stronger than you know you can possibly be, and when you do achieve victory it will be the single greatest feeling that you could ever want.
On a few other notes
Gemini Sends her love to all of you guys who posted when she trying to be strong for the both of us. She had to move back home to Indiana for a while due to her mother getting sick. However her mother is doing well now and she will be returning around mid April and she says she is looking forward to talking with you all again.
I want to say thank you too everyone on this board new and old (and yes especially you FOG's) who had me and the other riders in their prayers during this time. I know I would not have been able to make it through this without them.
Gem said that many of you posted your concerns and that means a lot. I loved this community and the people within it, you are a great group to be associated with and I hope to be able to start to become a bigger part within it again very soon.
I have to rant now. I know there are some riders on this board and to you guys I have this to say
Wear your gear!!! I know its hot, and you sweat, and its not always that comfortable and in the back of your mind you always wonder if other people think you look like a power ranger, but it will save your life period!. Don't justify in your mind that well I have a helmet so I will be ok. Make sure you wear your jacket, pants, gloves, helmet, boots, and back protection. Make sure it is leather and not Kevlar; Kevlar will not protect you in an accident it will shred on impact and leave you without any protection at all. Make sure you leathers have armor in them, it does save lives. I know that all of you know this but even I have been guilty of not doing it and the one time that you are guilty will be the one time that you will wish you had it. If anyone wants to see what happens to gear with an accident like this I will be glad to see if I can get my gear back from the state and take some pictures of it so that you can see happened to the leather armor and helmet and it will give you an idea of what would have happened to my body if I had not been wearing it.
Well I think this insanely long post is done now. Again thank you all for your prayers and your thoughts throughout this. And I know many of you will wonder if I will ever get on a bike again. Yes!!! I WILL be back on a bike before the 1 year anniversary of this tragedy. All the families are working on a nation wide tour to promote safety classes, safety gear, designated drives, and biker safety awareness. If anyone is interested I can give you more details either via email or PM.
Thanks again
Snakeeyezzes
Hello All
It's been a long time, a hard road, and a satisfying victory.
As I look back on the last 6 months I had a few reflections that I wanted to share with the communities that I have loved so much being a part of. The last 6 months of my life have been a time of not only great adversity but also of great triumph and great reflection. Before this all happened I looked at my life as tomorrow will come but you still better live up what you have time for just in case. Friends and family were important but you knew they will be there for you tomorrow if you don't get around to it today. Do what you can but don't worry for if you can't do it today you can try it again tomorrow. These were many of the philosophies that I lived my life by before my accident. But one fateful evening peoples live change without warning or provocation. The accident that I was involved in didn't just take people away from us, but it took a doctor, a father, a son, a brother, a husband, a coworker, a serviceman, and most of all friends. For we were the pawns in a game that we couldn't see happening or have any control over. We were the unwitting players in a game that only one person can win that that person in the person in the automobile.
For anyone who doesn't know or wants the information that I have been given since I don’t' remember much here is what I have been told as well as information for the trial and the police reports
We were on Highway 83 heading south out of North Platte. It was at about 8:30 at night. We were traveling at approximately 75 MPH when a car in the northbound lanes crossed into the southbound lanes on a right hand blind corner. The car traveling at approximately 85 MPH struck the group head on. The front 2 riders (Sorry they need names. They at least deserve that respect. Glen and Eddie) were killed upon impact. The next two riders were able to make evasive maneuvers but were still struck extremely hard by the automobile. (This was myself and Joe) The last 2 riders took glancing blows for the automobile and the riders suffered moderate injuries. (Doug and Jim) The Car continued on it course until it ran into a ditch approximately 1.2 Miles from impacting Glen and Eddie. When police arrived on scene the drives blood alcohol level was at .37. The officers and medical personnel on the scene determined that the driver was also on Methamphetamines. As I stated above Glen and Eddie were killed on impact. Joe and my self were severely injured. Both of us were taken to Mid Plains Regional Medical Center were we were stabilized enough to be air lifted to Kearny were both of us had to undergo several major surgeries to further stabilize us. I was then air lifted to Lincoln where I spent a week under the care of neurosurgeons to determine if I had any brain damage. After they determined that I had not suffered any damage I was taken back to Kearney were I spent 12 weeks in intensive care, 5 of which were in a coma, and then 3 more weeks of recovery. Joe spent 5 weeks in intensive care and 3 week in basic recovery. I don't want to bore you with all the injuries that I suffered but basically 65% of the bones in my body were fractured along with several major organs being injured. Joe was able to not take as much of an impact as I did since he was on the ditch side of the road. He broke 25% of the bones in his body and had several organs injured. Joe also has currently lost the use of his left leg completely, but the doctors are optimistic that he will be able to regain use of it over time. Doug and Jim Suffered several broken bones and spent about 3 week in the hospital. They are both almost completely recovered. The driver of the car went to trial very quickly from what I understand and was found guilty of 2 counts of murder in the second degree, 6 counts of vehicular negligence, 6 counts of DUI, and 4 counts of felony possession. From what I was told the jury deliberated for only 17 minutes and found him guilty on all charges. He is currently serving life +65 year.
This has been a struggle for everyone involved not only the riders but the family, friends and loved ones of us all. I am currently in physical therapy and am able to get around in a wheel chair at the moment. I hope to be able to stand by the end of the month. I do my therapy 4 times a week and am also working with a personnel trainer 3 days a week to gain my strength back. I hope to be able to have limited walking abilities by the end of the summer. Joe is currently in physical therapy and is doing very well. He has gained a lot of his strength back and they hope that he will have limited walking abilities and use of his leg again by the end of the summer. Both Doug and Jim plan to be back at work by the end of this month.
Now that I have boarded you to the point of insanity with fact and stuff now let me get down to what I intended this post to be about.
Through this ordeal I have learned first hand the old adage of do as much as you can today for tomorrow may not come. I have learned that no matter how safe you play the game the game is always out to get you so you must get it first. What ever you do in your life don't let life have the last laugh make sure that you and only you has it. I have also learned that no matter what life throws at you if you truly want to continue to thrive you will. Life is a game that we all must play but what life doesn't know is that we always have the upper hand because we are the ones who set the rules and life has to follow our rules. Nothing can hold the human spirit back. If it wants to continue to thrive it will do so no matter what the obstacles. Adversity is what makes us who we are and no one can that that away from you.
So I guess what I am trying to say in all of this is when the wife give you are hard time about smoking in the house, or the kids just won't lay off when you have a splitting head ache, or the boss just won't quit eating your ass, or your friends just won't let you drive home after you have had only one drink, look them dead in the eyes and tell them thanks, I love you, and keep it up. For it is this caring that keeps us all a family and keeps us striving for the next rung in the latter of life. Don't let anyone tell you that you can do something and if they do make sure to make it a point to show them that they are wrong.
So no matter how long the road is keep on following for it will lead you to places that only people who want to get there will see, no matter how hard it is to get there keep on doing for it will make you stronger than you know you can possibly be, and when you do achieve victory it will be the single greatest feeling that you could ever want.
On a few other notes
Gemini Sends her love to all of you guys who posted when she trying to be strong for the both of us. She had to move back home to Indiana for a while due to her mother getting sick. However her mother is doing well now and she will be returning around mid April and she says she is looking forward to talking with you all again.
I want to say thank you too everyone on this board new and old (and yes especially you FOG's) who had me and the other riders in their prayers during this time. I know I would not have been able to make it through this without them.
Gem said that many of you posted your concerns and that means a lot. I loved this community and the people within it, you are a great group to be associated with and I hope to be able to start to become a bigger part within it again very soon.
I have to rant now. I know there are some riders on this board and to you guys I have this to say
Wear your gear!!! I know its hot, and you sweat, and its not always that comfortable and in the back of your mind you always wonder if other people think you look like a power ranger, but it will save your life period!. Don't justify in your mind that well I have a helmet so I will be ok. Make sure you wear your jacket, pants, gloves, helmet, boots, and back protection. Make sure it is leather and not Kevlar; Kevlar will not protect you in an accident it will shred on impact and leave you without any protection at all. Make sure you leathers have armor in them, it does save lives. I know that all of you know this but even I have been guilty of not doing it and the one time that you are guilty will be the one time that you will wish you had it. If anyone wants to see what happens to gear with an accident like this I will be glad to see if I can get my gear back from the state and take some pictures of it so that you can see happened to the leather armor and helmet and it will give you an idea of what would have happened to my body if I had not been wearing it.
Well I think this insanely long post is done now. Again thank you all for your prayers and your thoughts throughout this. And I know many of you will wonder if I will ever get on a bike again. Yes!!! I WILL be back on a bike before the 1 year anniversary of this tragedy. All the families are working on a nation wide tour to promote safety classes, safety gear, designated drives, and biker safety awareness. If anyone is interested I can give you more details either via email or PM.
Thanks again
Snakeeyezzes
(but then again, boating is kinda my thing... 
