Help my buddy

sinker · 09-16-2002, 09:18 PM

I hate to ask this, if it were for me I wouldn't think of it, but it's for a good buddy of mine.

He wrecked his motorcycle 2 weeks ago breaking his back in 3 spots, rupturing his spleen, shattering his right wrist and breaking some ribs.

He spent a week in Harborview and then was transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.

Right now he's paralyzed and has no feeling from about the bottom of his rib cage down. They still don't know if he'll regain any more feeling or not, said it could be a few more weeks before anymore changes happen. He gained about 6 inches in the first few days and nothing since.

Yeah he was being stupid, we've all done stupid stuff, some of us are just luckier at times than others.

It pains me that I can't do anything for him right now. He's the kind of guy that would literally give you the shirt off his back. So I stop by the hospital and bring him fishing magazines and goodies. Brought him caramel apples and fudge from the fair the other day. That hit the spot!! :smile:

What I'm getting too is that he used to go salmon fishing all the time with his grandpa and him and his son have recently been getting into fishing and fly tying.

I told him to hurry up and get out of the dang hospital and up and moving around and I'd set up a trip for him.

It's gonna be quite a while, they said even if he makes a full recovery it will be 2 years of physical therapy to get back to "normal"

Would anyone be willing to take us out when he gets better if I pitch in the money for the launch, gas, bait, tackle?????

BTW, he's pretty religious and I'm sure he'd appreciate any prayers thinking about him.

Dan Christopher · 09-16-2002, 09:26 PM

post again or e mail me then the time comes and i will take you guys out if you want to drive down here.

skein · 09-16-2002, 09:49 PM

I've got a friend who is a quadrapalegic, and I take him out in my driftboat all the time. If you can get him in a chair, we can get him on the river - and maybe, if he's up to it, into some fish!

I used to ride, and there were many times I was a breath away from being where your buddy is now. Keep telling him life doesn't end just because he got banged up - even though it sounds pretty serious. It sounds like you're really hanging in there with him. I think he's lucky to have a pal like you.

Let us know when he's ready. :smile:

Skein

09-16-2002, 09:52 PM

I sold my Harley in '79 and bought a boat.

I kept getting drunk and falling down. Haven't had road rash since.

Fishplay · 09-17-2002, 12:25 AM

Sinker
I used to live in Lakewood and I've still got a brother in Tacoma so I plan trips up there occasionally. I'll probably be fishing Hood Canal for chums in November. If that happens and your friend is up to it you both are welcome to come along. Lets hope and pray for a speedy recovery.

Jim · 09-17-2002, 03:53 AM

Sinker,
You tell me when and we will go. Email me at runwildrivers@yahoo.com, make sure the son comes along!

Jim

Straydog · 09-17-2002, 06:32 AM

Sinker,

The world needs more friends like you! Good man!

Keta, I have found that if one lays down before getting drunk it also reduces injury!

wetaline · 09-17-2002, 08:30 AM

Sinker,

My Dad became a quadriplegic about 5 years ago. His passion in life as is mine is fishing or at least being out there - so nothing will stop him. We built a hoist that attaches to the trailer, which uses a sling to move him from his electric chair on the ramp to his portable chair in the boat. We've cleared the back and midsections o of the boat out so its wide open for his chair - and even have the strap plates on the floor boards to tie the chair down when were running.

I'll be very happy to take you and your friend out when the time comes.

If you need some pointers - theres a big learning curve as to the effects of a day on the river can have to a Quad. I know your friend is in better shape already than my dad - so hopefully many of the rules wont apply.... I'll be happy to discuss and shorten that curve for you.

If your friend would like someone to talk to, I�m sure my dad would be happy to do so. Lots and lots of people were there for him, many that he didn't even know - and it helped tremendously - not only for him, but also for family and friends.

Good luck and my prayers are with him.

Nuttinbutnet · 09-17-2002, 08:39 AM

Hey Sinker, you're a good man! Good Luck and a speedy recovery to your friend. To the rest of you guys, it's times like these that make me real proud to be associated with all of you. I-Fishers RULE! And they got Heart too!

ragjr · 09-17-2002, 08:56 AM

Sinker,

I brook my back (L-1 burst) 3 years ago, they had to fuss L-1 and T-12 and two steel rods.
someone was watching over me and I walked out of the hospital 15 days later. Your a great friend from what I can tell. Keep seeing your buddy and keep his spirits up and laughing is a great medacation, but the best med of all is the mind think postive for in my case it was mostly mind over matter.
Hope he gets out soon and a speedy recouvery [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

SpinnerMan · 09-17-2002, 10:43 AM

Sinker,

I have a friend who was in a motorcycle accident when we were 19. (We are now in our 50s).

He was paralized from the waist down, we have had many fishing trips together over the years.

About 10 years ago I needed to sell my drift boat, and he and another friend bought it.

He was able to rig it so he was able to row, and has taken it out many times. He does need someone else with him to help him get in and out, load and unload the boat etc.

He is in much better shape in the upper torso than I am and is a lot stronger so he always rows when we go. He even enjoys rowing.

He is the one who gave me the name of SpinnerMan.

:smile:

Best of Luck,
SM

NAUTI-NOTIONS · 09-17-2002, 12:17 PM

Make sure you put my name on that "can do list"

fishisabonus · 09-17-2002, 12:49 PM

You guys are awesome!

Ditto on what Nuttinbutnet said.

hey-it's-me · 09-17-2002, 12:56 PM

sinker,
you & all the people on this topic are way up there in points for b&c- am proud of you all- i will be glad to help in any way that i can- just give us a hoot

sinker · 09-17-2002, 03:48 PM

Thanks alot!!!!! I really appreciate it!!!!!! :smile:

Me a good guy???? All you guys willing to help a stranger out are the good guys!!!!!!

It will probly be a while, but for now I can print this out and take it to him to give him a boost and some incentive.

Probly gonna stop by tomorrow after work and see him.

One thing he has going for him is he just started seeing someone who does in home care for people like he is now. So the guys she takes care of stop by and see him and go to physical therapy with him and give him that little boost.
Pretty good timing on his new partner. Just seeing how much time she's spending with him tells me alot about her.