in the arms of an angel

For the past three days I keep getting the same question asked over and over again and that question is, "what happened?" So instead of responding to all of the e-mails, messages and facebook posts, I decided to write the full story of what happened for you and whoever else would like to know. 

As many of you know I love the outdoors. I will do anything and everything as long as it has to do with being outside. During the day, I use my free time to go hiking and at night I use it to go night boarding. 

Before Sunday I can honestly say that longboarding was one of my favorite pasttimes but after what occured Sunday night, I am not afraid to admit that I will not be longboarding for a while and infact think that I (along with all the longboarders out there) are complete idiots. I was one of those individuals who thought ending up on a hospital bed was the last thing that would happen to me while I longboarded, but of course, luck can take a quick turn. . .

Sunday night I went longboarding with my boy Austin and the last thing I can remember was passing an underpass next to the river where I saw two fishermen trying to catch some fish before the sun set. Next thing I knew, I woke up in excrutiating pain in a hospital bed in the ER. "WHAT THE HECK?" -- I was completely lost and freaking out hoping I was dreaming this entire instant. I blacked out again and woke up the next morning to my parents next to my hospital bed in the ICU. They said I was in a serious longboarding accident and that the man who helped save my life would be coming to see me today and tell methe full story of what happened. 

The man in the above picture (along with others) saved my life Sunday night, but the funny thing is, this man is actually one of my best friends fathers. He said I was coming fast down a steep hill and ended up losing control of my board. As this happened, there was a Jeep that was coming up the same hill I was going down. As I lost control and my board slipped out from underneath me, I had hit the Jeep that was coming up the hill and bounced off going head first into the concrete. My body flew about ten feet and I came face down on the concrete with no movement. Bruce (my friends Dad) along with the lady driving the Jeep (who ended up being a nurse) rushed to my aid. They turned me over and realized my lips and face were turning blue, I was seizuring up and my mouth started to foam. Bruce told my parents as he saw me hit the ground with no movement following my fall, he for sure thought I had died. Luckily I had only lost my breathe for a minute or so. After a quick call to 911, Bruce, Austin, as well as the Nurse, anxiously waited for the ambulance to finally arrive after a good twenty minutes; but I just have to point out the fact that
they NEVER left my side. 

I ended up being in the hospital for only three days and out of all of that, I was blessed to only receive a severe concussion with minor contusions. But unfortunately for other longboarding victims in the ICU, they were not as lucky as me. I had been informed of a Longboarding accident of a young man my same age that was in the room above me that did not become so lucky. He now has to wear diapers the rest of his life and is mentally handicapped. When I heard that, my heart broke for that young man and his family and I realized that could have been me lying in the room next to him. I cannot even imagine living like that for the rest of my life and not being able to play with my nieces and nephews the way I do now. 

I thank God, His Angels and many answered prayers from my family and friends the last couple of days. I literally am so lucky to be alive and lucky to walk out of this accident after just three days. And to Austin, Bruce and the Lady in the Jeep, thank you for saving my life. I owe you my life and will ALWAYS remember your giving grace and helping hand. 

And for my friends and those who longboard.... DON'T BE STUPID LIKE ME. Wear a helmet and make sure you can only go as fast or as slow as you can control. Each week they have countless of longboarders who go into the ER and ICU in critical condition that you and I do not hear of because they never make the news. But I promise you it happens. I am a victim of the situation and have seen the worse that can come from it. You have no idea what lies ahead of you everytime you step on that board and if that will be your last time ever living
a normal-functioning life.