Update and Thank You to Friends and Family:
Today is February 15th, 2007. It’s been exactly two months since I was rescued from the canyon were I spent three days and two nights after slipping, falling and breaking my pelvis.
I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who helped with my rescue and everyone who has reached out in support and encouragement during the last couple months. I want to write or call each of you personally and will continue to work on this. I have received 100’s of cards, emails, gifts, donations, phone calls, and visitors. I thank you all so much! Please know how much it means that you all have been thinking of me. Sorry that I have not been able to write or call back right away. I’m working on getting caught up! It’s just been in the last couple weeks that I’ve had the strength to sit up long enough to write some notes and start to get back on track with other important things in my life. I have a lot of catching up to do, and I’m eager to do so! I would like to share this note as a thank you to everyone until I get the chance to thank you all personally.
It seems like the accident was just yesterday. The images are still clear in my head. I know I am a very very lucky girl. My life changed that day, and I was given a second chance. Even when things are really tough and when the pain is so bad, I think about how lucky I am to be alive. After coming so close to death I have a new appreciation and respect for life. Whatever life throws at me for now on—good or bad, exciting or boring, happy or sad, whatever—I am appreciative of. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to experience more of what life has in store. My journey continues!
My number one priority when I realized I was going to live was to be sure and tell my friends and my family—everyone who has touched my life in one way or another—how much they mean to me and how much I love them. Sometimes life gets busy and the most important thing: letting people know how special they are and letting them know how much I care for them; I, well, haven’t got around to saying directly. I hope that my family and friends know this already. But in case it’s not assumed, then I want to take this moment to say it again: Thank you for being a part of my life, I love you!
For a month after the accident I broke into tears of joy at every phone call, visitor, card, gift, and email I received. My emotions were on overload as I appreciated being alive and able to enjoy these special moments. My emotions are a little more stable now… and after about a hundred times of telling my story I can tell it (usually) without tears now. But one thing for sure, I have learned how precious my friends and family are and I am so happy to have these people in my life. It has been overwhelming how much support and encouragement I have had since the accident. I would like to use this opportunity to extend my thanks to the so many wonderful people in my life who have reached out to help and get me through this tough time.
MY FAMILY: Both my immediate and my extended family have been there for me—not just since the accident, but my whole life. I am so lucky to have such a close family and in particular to have the best parents a kid could ever ask for. Mom and dad had that special sense that parents have and they knew something was wrong that day. They took action to save their kid. Then they took care of me like I was infant once again, 35 years later, when I need that extra care. I’m doing better now, thanks in large part to mom and dad. My little sis, Michelle has been our ‘rock’ through this whole thing- helping to get me through the tough times, and also get my parents through the tough times. She’s a great sis! Thank you so much to my family!!
FRIENDS WHO HELPED WITH THE RESCUE: I recently learned that several dozen friends were involved in and helped with the search. Many had their bags packed and were going to head to Moab to search for me if the search and rescue crews didn’t find me that day. Thank you! Thank you for caring so much. I would do it for any of you, just so you know. You are all friends who understand the passion for running and for exploring, and know that this kind of accident could happen to anyone. Sure, it would have been great if every time I went for a run (everyday, pretty much) I would’ve called someone and left a note with a map and my time schedule—but my friends and any runner knows that this isn’t realistic. Accidents happen and I thank you for understanding and providing support and care, even though I made a mistake.
MY NEIGHBOR, DOROTHY: My neighbor, Dorothy Rossignol is my Angel. I could not ask for a better neighbor. She saved my life and I will forever be grateful to her. Dorothy noticed I didn’t come home that night and called my parents which set off a chain of phone calls and events which led to my rescue. I’m so lucky to have a wonderful and alert neighbor, and good friend. I cannot think of words enough to thank Dorothy-- what do you say to the person who was most instrumental in saving your life? You are a hero. Thank you, Dorothy!
POLICE AND SEARCH AND RESCUE CREWS: The Moab Police and Sheriffs departments, Moab Search and Rescue, and Moab Animal Control all played a role in finding my truck, finding me, and getting me to the hospital. Thank you! It wasn’t an easy task. I still want to meet with them and learn more about the rescue. They did an amazing job. I will never forget seeing Bego’s face and listening to the first words I’d heard in three days, “I’m here for you.” Four other members of the search and rescue arrived shortly after Bego, all wonderful people. Several other people were out looking around the area. John Marshall found my truck at the trailhead. I also learned that the Summit County Sheriff dept and search and rescue were on the lookout for me. It’s unbelievable how fast and thorough the search was and I thank everyone for their concern and efforts in saving my life.
TAZ: How could I not thank my dog, Taz. He’s my best friend- he’s been with me through thick and thin since I adopted him three years ago- and now he helped save my life. What an amazing dog I’ve got! He can’t read this, but be assured I let him know several times everyday what a good dog he is. He’s the hero of the media and has been taking it humbly. He wants to thank all the folks who have been taking him out for hikes and runs while I’m in the wheelchair, and also wants to thank all the folks that have been sending him special ‘hero dog’ treats—especially the lady in Michigan who sent the huge box of steaks!
MEDICAL CREW: I am lucky to have a couple of the best surgeons in the world. Dr. Hak and Dr. Smith (plus a couple other great doc’s) did a great job pinnin’ and platin’ me back together and were able to look beyond the initial joy of surviving and to fix me up real good so I’ll be able to be out there doing what I love to do again for years to come. The entire medical crew was excellent. From the helicopter ride, to the night in Grand Junction under urgent care, to the flight to Denver and the entire medical crew and wonderful nurses and therapist at Denver Health; all were excellent. I felt comfortable and in good hands the whole time and I’m impressed at the world of modern medicine and the ability to get us back to good health fast enough. Thank you all!
ALL MY FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS SINCE THE ACCIDENT: My hospital room was actually a pleasant place to be. I had flowers and plants surrounding the room, along with lots of balloons and teddy bears to make it comfortable. There was no shortage of chocolate there either! Those of you who’ve been in the hospital know how tough and painful that time can be. My time there wasn’t bad at all. Thanks to all my friends, family, sponsors, and supporters who were thinking of me and who called, wrote cards and letters, sent emails, send gifts, and visited me in the hospital. I’ve had so much encouragement that I have no choice but to get better—and to stay positive in the process. You all have made this recovery road so much smoother. Thank you for sharing all the stories you’ve shared, remembering the good times, and for inspiring me for good times to come.
THE ENDURANCE SPORT COMMUNITY: In particular I want to thank the endurance sport communities—adventure racers, runners, triathletes, orienteer’s, cyclists, etc. I feel so lucky and glad to be a part of these sport communities; not just because the sports are great, but because the people involved in the sports are great. Athletes, volunteers, race directors, clients, media folks, and endurance sports fans alike have all reached out to support and encourage me. I have heard from 100’s of folks from at least 20 different states and 13 different countries. Thank you so much! I never knew or thought of myself as an inspiration, but it makes me feel good to hear that I perhaps inspired a few here and there. You all have inspired me for sure. We have a wonderful community, and this has been reiterated in this last few months.
A special thanks to those folks in the endurance sport community who have been organizing and participating in fund raisers to help towards my medical bills:
*Barry Siff has organized two fantastic and fun fundraisers- a dinner at BD’s in Boulder and a spin class with Dave Scott at Bicycle Village (www.bicyclevillage.com/page.cfm?PageID+390)
*The Town of Silverthorne and Breckenridge both did a great job of organizing the Swift Skedaddle Snowshoe Races, which also were fundraisers.
*Bruce Kelly is donating proceeds from his Pedal Power Snowshoe Series to the medical fund. (The final event is February 24th, www.pedalpowerbike.com )
*The Rocky Mtn Orienteering Club had a fundraiser meet in Frisco in January.
*Randy Gerke is organizing the 24 hr Treadmill Running World Championship as a fundraiser on March 10th/11th (www.planetultramarathon.com ).
*Keri Nelson ran her first ultra in Texas last month and raised pledges for the fund.
*Karen Lungren and Paul Romero of Team Sole led a snowshoe clinic as a fundraiser. *Gravity Play Sports is organizing a fundraiser as part of their Moab Adventure Xstream Race on March 24th. (www.gravityplay.com.)
*Jack Dunn will be hiking up and down the mountain behind his house in Arizona for 24 hrs to raise money for the fund.
*The New York Adventure Racing Association and New England Adventure Racing Association organized an event on Feb 3/4th to earn money towards the fund.
*There also have been many many other individuals and businesses that have contributed directly to the medical fund.
I hope I didn’t forget anyone! Thank you so much! Your efforts mean so much to me and I assure you this will help me immensely as I face the overwhelming bills associated with the accident.
THE COMMUNITIES WHERE I LIVE: I feel fortunate to live in such supportive communities. Many people from Evergreen (where my parents currently live and where I grew up) in particular my parents friends, have reached out in support of me and my parents during this tough time. The town of Moab has also been supportive. Thank you! My buddy Mike Lesnik spent a couple weeks at my house in Moab, fixing it up for me. Thank you!
The folks of Summit County have been unbelievably supportive and helpful during my recovery. Devon O’Neil is a really talented writer and he wrote an amazing article in the Summit Daily News that touched most everyone in the community. Friends from Summit County have been so helpful at getting me out and about in the world again— the staff at the Silverthorne Rec Center have been friendly and accommodating and helped me to get a workout in- even with my wheelchair (I do laps around the track, use the arm ergometer, and pool run). My friend Esther Schwier spent a week at my house helping me get settled and feel at home again. Winston Chapman built ramps and seats and rails and moved furniture around to make my condo wheelchair accessible. Laura Pless has made several trips to my condo to give me rides and accompany me at the rec center, grocery store, etc. My buddy doc PJ has been checking in frequently and him and Mona Merrill got me out on a sit-ski at the Breck Nordic Center. Eric Black and Kate Lapides helped a ton with the rescue effort and since have been checking in on me, clearing the snow from the walkway and taking Taz out for runs. My good friend Pam Minard has been, well, a true friend—visiting me a the hospital, at my parents house, cleaning my condo, providing rides and taking on the responsibility of coordinating/organizing a fund raiser here in Summit County. She, along with several other friends is doing a heck of a job and I’m looking forward to a great time. (Please come: March 15th 5:30-9:30pm at the Silverthorne Pavilion.) I cannot say enough about the wonderful communities where I live and my friends who make them such special places. Thank you!
BC: I’m guessing BC was more concerned about keeping up with me when we first met; not having to push me around in a wheelchair or carry me between the bedroom and the bathroom. I guess he was glad I wasn’t blowing him off when I didn’t return his calls or emails for several days (I was stuck in the canyon), and he certainly seems to be ok with me being wheelchair-bound for a few months, as he’s a natural at helping me around. He’s been nothing but patient, supportive, and helpful. I couldn’t ask for a better guy to have around. He makes me smile and laugh, and he’s dang good at cooking and cleaning too. Is he for real? I sure hope so! I look forward to the day when we can run on the trails together then I can cook and clean for him for a change. Both BC and my parents have changed their lives to help me and to be there for me. That is a huge sacrifice and I cannot express in words how much it means to me. I know it’s not easy all the time-- it means so much to me that they are there for me and I appreciate it so much. I am so fortunate to have these people in my life and I care so much for them. Thank you!
There have been many many people who have helped make this recovery so much easier and actually, pleasant for me. I have had the chance to spend time with people that I wouldn’t have had it not been for the accident. I have been able to grow closer to the people that mean so much to me. Whether things happen for a reason or not, I don’t know? What I do know is that not all seemingly bad or unfortunate things are really all that bad or unfortunate. I have found lots of positives through this experience. I have had some great moments the last couple months, that I never would have had if I hadn’t slipped that day. I have learned a lot, and I continue to learn something everyday. Some days are really tough, but life wasn’t meant to be easy—that lesson I’d already learned! It’s people like my friends and family that make even the tough days good. And keeping in mind the gift of life, that was so close to being taken away, puts a good light on everything. Thank you everyone for everything you’ve done for me.
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