Exactly one year ago at this very moment I was sitting in a wheelchair in the waiting room of the Kennestone Hospital ER after having been lofted 10-15 ft out of my buggy on a lunch break session... I severely broke my heal and then had surgery the day before Christmas Eve, then about 6 months of recovery.

I literally just paused writing this to go help someone and almost fell of a ladder...

Any who... Family obligations and an otherwise busy life have scaled back my kiting pretty significantly, but I still check in here and add my 2 cents and I still try to go out kiting about once a month. I still have pain in my foot and am pretty sure it will come and go for a while... but I've got some fancy orthotic shoes now and that helps

Not to bring you guys down, but to remind you all to be safe out there, because it can happen in an instant... but in all honesty I am glad that it happened, because the injury truly helped me to open my eyes (or pull my head out of my backside) and recognize how disconnected I had become from the rest of the world... primarily my family. It changed me for the better. Thank you all for being there and supportive during that big transition for me. I appreciate that!

Oh and hey, I just finished and turned in my last assignment, so I have officially completed my Masters Degree in Human Service Counseling... so that's cool.

So... next time the kiddos go spend the night at Papa and BB's house, I'm breakin' out the 10m NS3 and have a time.

:wee:

Thanks gang, be safe, and strive to maintain that balance between kite if and real life.

Congrats on finishing school and the welcome reminder of safety and maintaining a balance between kite life and real life. I'm one who needs reminded of both but especially the latter.

Congratulations on lacking injuries and finishing school. Now stop knocking on wood!

Funny how things change in a split second.
Glad to hear your still alive and living a family life with a bit of play time.

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid

Glad to hear your still alive and living a family life with a bit of play time.

And I'm also falling headlong in love a tiny high-pitched musical instrument pointed to the creation of bluegrass

Quote: Originally posted by volock

Now stop knocking on wood!

I mostly just make sure its in tune and strum it.

As in many things in life: "It is better to have tripped and fallen, than never run at all"

poetic,

Congrats on your degree and your new interests and perspectives. I'm sure you will make it out soon. We've had a pretty weak fall anyway, especially for the westerlies which are the mainstay of your regular buggy spot.

Congrats on the healing and the Masters!

You got me with the Papa and BB's reference . That's what my kids and most everyone else called my parents. I lost my dad 3 years ago and that phrase doesn't get used anymore. I got an emotional tug reading that.

Nothing wrong with the mandolin. I have 3....:evil:

Good go on the degree!
I don't remember your fingers being fat enough to play the mandolin.

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

I just finished and turned in my last assignment, so I have officially completed my Masters Degree in Human Service Counseling... so that's cool.

Really happy for you Spencer! Congratulations on this big accomplishment. Merry Christmas.

Thanks guys, I've been working on this degree for a little over 4 years and now that I'm done I'm going to take the time to enjoy not doing school, finish up some household projects, and try to lose about 20lbs!!! I've told myself (and wifey) that once I finished school I would fit working out in. Oh yeah and maybe some kiting :D

This was really more about how its been a whole year and I haven't severely injured myself again, the Masters Degree was just a bonus that happened right at the same time. BUT THANKS!!

Congratulations Spencer. Best wishes on your projects & that 20 pounds. I have been pondering the workout routine myself. I also want to borrow your topic just a moment to thank the forum & you in particular. Reading about your injury gave me the caution I needed. After posting a bit on the forum I realized how little I actually knew. I decided to read the Flying Techniques - Tips & Tricks forum, all 287 topics, all 3,587 posts. That took weeks. The very helpful & enlightening information was tremendous. Now I will step back a bit, fly a 3 meter trainer until I can do it blindfolded, then proceed with thought & care. I will be following you all daily & will post when I have something meaningful to contribute.

Thanks again, SHBKF