Feyd - 13-4-2014 at 01:44 PM
I'm getting ready to do a 3hr drive back to a hospital where my wife, smarter half and best friend is laying in bed since last Thursday when she was a
victim of a freak crash while getting one last session on Lake Champlain with a friend of ours.
The result of crash...
Concussion and memory loss.
Several transverse process fractures in her lumbar spine.
2 broken ribs.
a 5" right side tear of her diaphragm.
A pile of bruised and abrasions.
They did emergency surgery on her diaphragm. Fortunately it was a right side tear and her liver had migrated into the tear and sealed it. This
allowed time to get to the hospital and make the decisions that needed to be made. Had it been the left side her entrails would have migrated into her
chest cavity, collapsed the lungs and you can guess the rest.
She now has an incision in her mid section that goes from her navel to her sternum.
The fractures are relatively minor and will heal in time, faster than the soft tissue repairs that were done.
The really important thing here is the fact that she was wearing her helmet. When I got to her she was unconscious. Her helmet had a fine point
impact that broke it into 3 pieces that were held together by the shell.
If she hadn't been wearing that helmet I wouldn't be getting ready to go back to the hospital, I'd be making arrangements for her burial. She's in
rough shape at the moment but she's the toughest person I know and she will come out of this stronger and even tougher. And all the stuff she's going
through sucks but if she wasn't wearing her helmet things would be way worse.
Our lifestyle and work means we spend more time in helmets than not. We won't work or play with others that won't wear helmets. Some people who at
best won't wear a helmet because it's uncomfortable and at worse because they recon themselves some kind of "badass" may think we're some kind of
safety Nazis. So be it.
It's not a personal choice, it's a responsibility. Not just to yourself but to those around you because when you slap and scramble your brains the
first people that have to deal with it are those you are riding with. Then the first responders. Then (if you're lucky) the ER staff, in hospital care
and ultimately your loved ones. Again if you're lucky to survive. And survive without being in a vegetative state.
I'm going to drive 3hrs to kiss my wife on the forehead, tell her I love her and stand by for the hospital to clear her to leave as fluid build up in
her chest cavity keeps causing her right lung to collapse when they take the vacuum off the drain in her side. So she's stuck there until that is
resolved.
Still, minor compared to what would have happened if she wasn't wearing a helmet.
AnnieO - 13-4-2014 at 02:27 PM
OMG. Sorry to hear about your wife's accident but thank you also for sharing her story to reinforce that safety is and should always be paramount in
our kiting activities.
Best wishes and prayers sent for her to have a full and speedy recovery!
AnnieO - 13-4-2014 at 02:27 PM
OMG. Sorry to hear about your wife's accident but thank you also for sharing her story to reinforce that safety is and should always be paramount in
our kiting activities.
Best wishes and prayers sent for her to have a full and speedy recovery!
hiaguy - 13-4-2014 at 03:08 PM
Chris,
It sounds that although she's in rough shape, but only temporarily. Any one else, and with anyone else, and the story could be quite different.
Thank you for taking the time to remind us how important safety is.
Drive safely and know that we are all thinking the best for her, and you, as she heals.
shaina03 - 13-4-2014 at 03:14 PM
Wow I'm so sorry! That's amazing, she is so strong! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as she recovers! Thank you for sharing her
story as well. I will always, always, always wear my helmet now, for that I thank you!
Bladerunner - 13-4-2014 at 04:14 PM
This is so sad.
I hope it all works out in good time.
Just curious ? What kind of helmet was she wearing ?
Thanks for sharing. Take care.
RedSky - 13-4-2014 at 04:23 PM
Shocking to hear this. Someone up there was looking out for your wife and friend, despite their injuries they are still with us thankfully. All the
best for their recovery. Take it easy.
ssayre - 13-4-2014 at 04:34 PM
Sorry to hear about that. My thoughts and best wishes for speedy recovery are with her.
markite - 13-4-2014 at 04:41 PM
Wow, shocked by your email and wish nothing but 100% full recovery for Molly and wish I could give you both more than verbal support. I think many of
us have been impressed by Molly's skill and attitude when it comes to kiting and it's a hard lesson that all of us can learn from. Let us know how she
progresses and pass along my thoughts - for both of you - that had to be hard to have to deal with it all.
Get well and heal fast Molly and stay strong and know that you have friends thinking of you Chris
Mark
cheezycheese - 13-4-2014 at 05:16 PM
Oh my god Kris this is horrible news !! I hope and pray she has a speedy and full recovery. My prayers for the both of you...
PHREERIDER - 13-4-2014 at 05:21 PM
All the best for speedy recovery
Kamikuza - 13-4-2014 at 05:38 PM
Shocking news... Get well soon!
shehatesmyhobbies - 13-4-2014 at 05:45 PM
Just wow! Sorry to hear about Molly getting so banged up. Very glad that she will heal. Hang in there, I know you will be so strong for her and I
know she will be strong.
We are often reminded why our safety gear is so important, and this is one of those times. No matter how uncomfortable it may be, it is necessary!
Send best wishes and speedy recovery from our end.
Comforting thoughts and wishes to Molly and you.
skimtwashington - 13-4-2014 at 06:45 PM
This sounds like a horrific accident by the injuries-however it occurred. I hope she did/does not feel much pain and is now resting as comfortable as
can be.
Hopefully almost all who read this on PKF are cautious and reminded why they are to be so ...and the few-if any- who may be cavalier -or helmetless-
might come around.
Thanks for sharing these personal sad and anxious moments with those here in the kiting community.
Cheddarhead - 13-4-2014 at 07:03 PM
Chris, this is just all very shocking to me. A stark reminder that it can happen even to the most experienced kiters. Thanks for sharing and
reminding us all what is most important about our sport. Thoughts and prayers for Molly and yourself!
Rob
flyguy0101 - 13-4-2014 at 07:33 PM
Chris
You and Molly are in my thoughts and prayers
Scott
soliver - 13-4-2014 at 08:29 PM
Praying for you two Chris.
ChrisH - 13-4-2014 at 09:02 PM
Man, I don't even know what to say...I can't imagine what you're going through. As others have said, thank you so much for sharing your/her story and
your emphasis on safety. Hope she gets better soon.
Suds after thuds - 14-4-2014 at 12:54 AM
What terrible news, I hope your wife heals well and quickly.
shaggs2riches - 14-4-2014 at 01:34 AM
Aww man. I don't know what say, other than best wishes. This is such a shocker to hear, whenever anyone who's been in the game for a long time, gets
hurt (not that it isn't any less fortunate when, it happens to anyone). Proof that it can happen to even the very best. Sincerely hope everything goes
well, and she makes a 110% recovery. Thanks for sharing with us.
mainekite2 - 14-4-2014 at 02:56 AM
Chris our thoughts and prayers are with you and Molly
abkayak - 14-4-2014 at 05:45 AM
cant be too safe..good luck, wishing her a speedy recovery
smiler8401 - 14-4-2014 at 07:13 AM
well , it not always a good new coming in …
anyway thank you very much for sharing with us a valuable lesson .
what a relieve that she is OK , hoping to recovery soon & coming back stronger .
snowspider - 14-4-2014 at 08:09 AM
...Best wishes guys...
buggydanny - 14-4-2014 at 09:00 AM
Chris
This is disturbing news and I wish that Molly recovers quickly and that her pain and suffering is minimal. I hope that you are coping with the
aftermath and if you need anything please ask.
This is the second serious accident this year that has happened to an experienced and talented kiter that I have known. It really hits home and gets
me thinking about safety. I am really glad she was wearing a helmet. I truly hope that other will learn from this accident and always gear up with
safety equipment before they go out. I use a helmet religiously and encourage others to do so, but now I know that I will be doing a more careful risk
assessment before I kite.
Take care
Dan
Smeagol - 14-4-2014 at 11:45 AM
Hope she heals up quickly. Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad she was wearing the helmet though.
3shot - 14-4-2014 at 05:50 PM
Prayers sent bud!
pongnut - 15-4-2014 at 07:32 AM
Sorry about the news, my wishes for a fast and full recovery.
sand flea - 15-4-2014 at 07:37 AM
so sorry to hear
praying for you two
slopecat - 15-4-2014 at 08:05 AM
Very sorry to hear this Chris. I hope all goes well with the recovery. I don't like to hear bad news like this but the reminder about wearing your
safety gear needs to be heard now and again.
Mike
cheezycheese - 17-4-2014 at 03:31 PM
Chris, is there any update on Molly...?
Feyd - 17-4-2014 at 05:38 PM
Hey All,
Sorry for the radio silence. Molly was released Monday afternoon. She's understandably pretty weak and sore all over from both the crash and the
required surgery to fix what the crash caused. She's in good spirits most of the time and she and I both met some amazing people in all this so
there's some silver lining. She's having a rough time of things at the moment mostly because she's forced to rely on others to move her around.
Absolutely no core muscle use for 6 weeks as she heals from the surgical incisions. We were lucky, this happened near an awesome hospital with and
awesome staff and a kick a$$ trauma surgeon who also happens to be a kiter. When he and Molly rolled into the surgical suite there was a window.
There was enough daylight out there that they could both see that the wind was still nukin' and they had a little discussion about how good the wind
looked as she went under anesthesia. We have so post surgery shots from in her room. To us they seem pretty hilarious but to folks not involved,
might find them disturbing.
Anyway she's doing really, really well. The first night was really rough but I'm getting the act of making her comfortable dialed in so even last
night was a lot better. She's dreading a sneeze right now and with 34 staples in her abdomen I can't say I blame her. She'll be 110% in six weeks for
sure but for now, she's pretty weak and tired. She wants me to ride on Saturday, say's her sister will watch over her. Don't know if I'll be able to
make myself go for it but it's nice to know she still wants someone to get the goods. :D I'm a lucky SOB without a doubt.
She and I want to thank all the well wishers we've had in this. We learned a few things from this experience and we hope that someone who's read this
thread will recognize the value of wearing the right gear when doing this sort of thing.
Thanks again everyone,
Chris
3shot - 17-4-2014 at 07:02 PM
Glad to hear she is home. Get well soon Mrs Molly!
Kamikuza - 17-4-2014 at 09:37 PM
Cool.
Won't go? Balls. I had a few hours after the kid was born so I hit the lake :D waste not, want not.
Kober - 17-4-2014 at 09:51 PM
Wishing speedy recovery ... good to see positive update ....
.... Chris ... Who will do your plumbing for next 6 weeks ??? lol .....
...
Feyd - 19-4-2014 at 08:16 AM
Fortunately the only issue we've had here is a leaky toilet. She replaced and upgrade the guts of it just before her crash. She's replaced all the
plumbing in our house years ago and it's bomb proof so no need of her mad ninja plumber skills. :evil:
Bladerunner - 19-4-2014 at 09:00 AM
Glad things are healing up.
I am curious what kind of helmet Molly was wearing ?
Also wonder if you think an impact vest would have helped ? I have taken to wearing my impact vest / harness snowkiting but realise they are only so
effective.
Feyd - 19-4-2014 at 02:07 PM
She was wearing a Giro Omen. And she was also wearing an impact vest. (which was promptly cut off in the ambulance.) Impact vests work well on the
ice IMO. Better than nothing for sure.
What she was not wearing were her knee pads. This resulted in her knees getting beat to hell while she was unconscious and getting dragged by a
looping kite. Safety systems only work if you're awake to use them. Her bar was caught under her body and causing the kite to loop. The guy we were
with managed to fly himself into he kite as it looped to secure it. He was on a board though and as soon as he took his board off to get to her he
was loosing footing on the hard ice. Fortunately all local riders carry a spar ice screw in a leg harness. He was able to use her screw to secure
his kite and then Molly's.
She was knocked out until after he did all that. She doesn't remember anything from the accident and our friend wishes he had the same deal going.
Her knees are black and black with a little green.