The Accident
In 1999, I had a very nice Harley that I had worked very
hard to make in to a “custom” bike. It was a beauty if I say so myself.
I had been riding motorcycles for a large part of my life
with few if any incidents that one might call “accidents”. In retrospect, I was
VERY lucky.
One sunny day, I decided to ride my bike to visit a friend
who was having a bit of a hard time. I wanted to give him moral support and let
him know that I was there if he needed me. On the way to visit him, I had to travel
through some pretty congested areas. Given the nature of traffic and drivers
these days, any time that one is out on the road, the perils are severe.
However, on a motorcycle, they are magnified, as I was to discover all too
well.
I was riding in the left lane in an area where there were
two lanes on my side but one was to run out in a specified distance. Instead of
following the rules and merging safely, one driver decided to cut in front of
me without giving me any room to avoid them. The result was my crashing in to
their car at 40 miles an hour. I tried to lay the bike down (not an easy task
with a 900 pound Harley) but there just was enough time (or room) to do so.
I hit their car so hard that later I discovered paint from
the car embedded in the leg of my jeans. I was launched over the car; hit the
corner of the windshield and 28 feet later hit the pavement narrowly being
missed by her as she continued along. I bounced a few times breaking my hip and
back in the process along with separating my shoulder, crushing my right leg
and foot and banging my head on the pavement several times. I ended up on the
shoulder. Lucky for me, I was being followed by an off duty police officer who immediately
called an ambulance.
I was in and out of consciousness for some time and woke up
in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
At the hospital, I discovered that the medical community did
not care for people on motorcycles. My arm was put in a sling (my shoulder
injury was obvious), and sent home. No x-rays were taken and no other care was
given.
A week later, a chiropractor took x-rays and discovered the
breaks and began treating me. Over the course of a couple of years, I was able
to gain most of my mobility back but it was a very painful process. Along with
all of the various pains, I discovered that my left hamstring had been split. The
healing process for that area was arguably the most painful.
Through a lot of work and effort I have been able to return
to mobility but now have arthritis in my hip and back. The most challenging
area though has been my memory.
I lost literally 15 years of my life that day. Additionally,
I struggled for years with short term memory (I used to get lost trying to find
my way to work) as well as “Ice Pick” headaches that were so severe that they
would bring me to my knees several times a day. I have regained much of my
short term memory and a few of the memories that I once had (I think) but no
longer suffer with the headaches.
Therein lies another story that is worth telling here.
I attend a church in Charlotte along with my wife and while
I was not overly spiritual at the time, I attended. One of the Elders at the
church was an acquaintance and friend. One evening after the service, I was
talking with the Elder and had one of my headaches. After I recovered (they
usually lasted about a minute to a minute and a half) I explained my problem to
the concerned Elder. They said, “Wait here” and walked away. They shortly
returned with the Minister and another Elder. The Minister (a TRUE man of God
by the way) laid his hands on me along with both Elders and they began to pray
for my healing. While I hoped that it would help, I was not sure.
Over the next few days, I did not have any headaches. “This
is interesting” I thought but felt that surely I would have another episode. As
the days and weeks passed, I became more confident. Now all these years later,
I can truthfully say that from THAT MOMENT (years ago when they laid hands on
me), I have never had another headache AND my short term memory has returned
(at the same time)! Since then, I have
built two successful companies and been chosen to receive the Microsoft MVP
(Most Valuable Professional) award SEVEN times!
Do I believe?
You betcha!