November 24, 2009 a day that changed my life.

[cleveramerican]

It was a day like so many others, I went to work and came home to have supper of tacos with my wife an three daughters, just like I always do.
After supper I was looking forward to sitting down with my feet up and watching Hardball.
My beautiful wife reminded me of an important town meeting where a vote would decide weather or not a new high school would be built.
I knew this was big and the anti-everything crowd would be out in force to squash it.
A neighbor called to make sure I was going, I told him I was.
I took ten minute to collect my thoughts and made some notes of what I wanted to say.
(Government is about priorities, what priority can possibly be ahead of our children's education..)

My turn came and I let fly like Mussolini from the balcony, stunned some and pleased some others who know me.
The vote was taken and it passed, the next step towards a new high school would be taken.
I felt great, pleased with myself that maybe I had had some small part in getting it done.
This was why I love town meeting, people CAN be convinced.

Hopped in my car and headed home to share the good news with my family.
I thought about stopping to buy a blueberry pie to celebrate but decided against it.
I need to drop a few pounds.

As I came through town, I was sitting at a red light about third in line...
a blue Buick rammed into my passenger door at full speed..broken glass everywhere I spit out a few bits
I know it was a Buick because the grill emblem was right next to my head. I looked at it.
a next bit is foggy but I remember being pressed up against the drivers door and waiting for somebody to come and help me.

I also have a brief glimpse of being loaded into the helicopter which landed on the town common.
I thought wow they landed on the common right near the pick up after your dog sign.

This is all I can recall about the accident.....

[Warpy]

1. You actually remember quite a bit more

than a lot of people do. Retrograde amnesia after a severe trauma is common and probably protective, keeps them from obsessing on the "what ifs."

What was the excuse of the driver who t-boned you? I hope the sumbitch was hurt just badly enough that he'll never drive again.

Good job in the town hall meeting. I'm glad you're still here to do it again when you heal.

[cleveramerican]

3. my what if is...

I should have stopped for that pie.

[Richardo]

2. It's good to have you back, cleveramerican

I hope you make a complete recovery :hug:

[seabeyond]

4. hugs to you. i am so sorry for all you have gone thru. glad to hear from you though. nt

[malaise]

5. Just glad to see you back

:hug:

[babydollhead]

6. I am glad you lived

your story is now, "Since the accident..." and you can make your story and your families story HUGE with what life means. How fragile and ethereal it is, and love it love your life, your kids your wife. This does not have to be your stopping point, just your launch. My daughter survived a horrible 5 car crash. Our family loves to feel shivers when we listen to Radiohead's song, "Airbag" peace and healing to you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo3ZnHJ0KTQ

[HopeHoops]

7. Back in 83, I got hit by a '70 Buick - front corner to front corner.

I was in my '68 Galaxie. The old woman driving the Buick ran a red light at full speed (55 zone) and nailed the front corner of my car with hers. All I remember is the soda can. It was in one of those holders that hooked over the door into the slot for the glass. I didn't see her coming. The can flew out of the holder and pinwheeled across the roof all the way to the passenger's side. It was a mess to clean up.

Since both cars were tanks, we both were able to drive away from it. I had to pry her fender out from against the tire for her to move, but she was able to drive off. It bent some of my steering widgets so I only had about 25 degrees of turning capacity on the right side until I got it fixed, but I drove off as well. I got the Galaxie fixed and I still have her.

[closeupready]

14. OMG, the Galaxie - we had a Galaxie - it was green, lol.

I still remember that car, though I hadn't thought of it for many years until you mentioned it. :hi:

[HopeHoops]

18. Mine's white with a maroon interior - and the FASTBACK model!

They made a shitload of sedans, but only about 6,000 fastbacks. The rear window is HUGE. The 390 is a powerhouse. The biggest problem I had with her was breaking motor mounts. The owners manual says not to go more than 70 in 1st gear (not kidding), but I've shifted into 2nd at 75. That's not how I kept breaking motor mounts. It was from revving in neutral and dropping into 1st. I don't drive like that anymore.

[cleveramerican]

22. I've got a'63 waiting for me when I get well

black with red
a four door.

[closeupready]

24. The day we replaced it with a station wagon, I was so sad.

I really loved that car. And I was only 5 or 6 at the time. :D

[niyad]

8. we are all so glad you are back with us--continued prayers and good thoughts for your complete

recovery.

what is happening with the idiot who hit you, do you know?

(note: next time, stop for the pie!!)

[cleveramerican]

10. she was returned to jail

she was out on bond for drunk driving when she hit me.
she had been released 1 year prior to my accident for an earlier fatal drunk driving accident
she was on parole
she was arrested for drunk driving, arraigned and released on a bond 4 weeks prior.
she was scheduled to return to court the following Monday,she knew she was going back to jail.

she duped a neighbor into borrowing her car and had spent a few hours in a bar hammering down hi-balls.

they are going to add another ten years onto her sentence, which doesn't help me much.

I have forgiven her, because its easier for me. Its too much work and goes against my nature to carry hate, I have to focus on my recovery.

[seabeyond]

13. "too much work and goes against my nature " isnt that the truth. nt

[wryter2000]

9. So glad you're back

:pals:

[blm]

11. So glad that you're even well enough to post this.

;)

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Good to see you back

For me it was Oct 9 1999. From the rear at a stoplight. All the best to you.

[closeupready]

15. I am so glad you survived!

Do you have any idea when you may make a full recovery, have the doctors mentioned anything like that?

[cleveramerican]

20. a full recovery is not truthfully in the cards

I'll never run another marathon
I'll never ski again
I'll never play ice hockey again.
I'll never ride my motorcycle again.

My recovery depends entirely on me and a bit of luck.

I vow to work as hard as humanly possible to recover as much of my former physical abilities as anyone can.

[closeupready]

21. We here are all rooting for you.

:hug: :)

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

28. Are you still in the hospital ?

I work at a rehab hospital in CT. The therapists here do wonders for people. We had the Central Park Jogger here for part of her recovery.

[barbtries]

16. it sure does warm my heart

to see you posting here! as i recall it was touch and go. get yourself a blueberry pie, you're alive! :applause:

i hope you will keep us posted about the case against the person who nearly killed you. this is the woman who killed someone a few years ago while driving drunk if i'm not confused? she should never see the light of day. i wouldn't even term what happened to you an accident: it was a drunk driving crash, a malicious criminal act, with you the victim.

[slackmaster]

17. Wow

K&R

:kick:

[Starry Messenger]

19. ((hug))

Your daughter's post about the results of the accident was very vivid. I'm glad you are alive.

[AngryAmish]

23. I like tacos too

[cleveramerican]

25. Tacos and BLT's are two of our families favorite meals

[Hekate]

26. Joining the chorus of DUers so glad to see you back amongst us

:hug: and of course :grouphug:

Hekate

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

27. I was just wondering the other day how you were doing.

Coincidentally, it was while walking my dogs and waiting to pick up after them. LOL

Hope you are progressing well with your recovery !

[live love laugh]

29. I'm so glad that you survived and I wish you a strong, full recovery.

And if I may . . . while you may never do some of the things that you mentioned

I hope for you to see how many things you can do

that you might not have had the chance to do at all.

And though I am not a religious person I want to say God Bless you.

[Hissyspit]

30. kick They arrested legal residents, holding without charge, including Larisa Alexandrovna's sister

[jbnow]

31. In the blink of an eye life can turn around.

I'm glad you don't remember more of that accident because you were probably in much pain, though I'm sure you got plenty of that during recovery.
Can't imagine the panic of your family hearing the news either.

For all of you I am so glad you survived this and are healing
and so sorry it could happen to start with