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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Sorry to hear about that. My thoughts and best wishes for speedy recovery are with her.

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

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...

All the best for speedy recovery

Shocking news... Get well soon!

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.

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.

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

Chris
You and Molly are in my thoughts and prayers
Scott

Praying for you two Chris.

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.

What terrible news, I hope your wife heals well and quickly.

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.

Chris our thoughts and prayers are with you and Molly

cant be too safe..good luck, wishing her a speedy recovery

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 .

...Best wishes guys...

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

Hope she heals up quickly. Sorry to hear about the accident. Glad she was wearing the helmet though.

Prayers sent bud!

Sorry about the news, my wishes for a fast and full recovery.

so sorry to hear
praying for you two

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