Foo - Perseverance?

I saw the disability thread and wanted to share this here as well because it's like a distant dysfunctional family. Anyway... I was in a catastrophic accident on July 12th, 2011. Amongst other injuries, the ones that affected my cycling were a broken tibia in my right leg (3 breaks, all compound) and I broke every bone from my forearm to my fingertips in my left arm, which required a partial amputation of my hand (pinky and ring finger up to the wrist so, half a hand) and a hefty amount of metal on all the breaks. I'm still going through a substantial amount of therapy and maybe have 10% use of my left hand. It hasn't stopped me and my love for 2 wheels. I've been out of a wheelchair for a month and against the advice of every friend, family member, aquaintance, etcetera hopped on 3 weeks ago just to see if I could do it. Just to make sure another passion isn't being taken away. Just to see if I could feel some degree of normalcy again. I got on and rode a block. I cried. I hurt. But I rode another block. And another. And another. I cried more but they were tears of relief. Tears of happiness. Tears of joy. All despite the pain, I was pedaling again. Feeling the wind on my face. My ears. My legs. My soul. And what's left of my hands. That happy hand that has helped me brake, shift, and control those 2 wheels for years. That's gone for the moment but it's not gonna stop me. It makes me want to ride more. It makes me want to ride harder. And it makes me realize how much it means to me and my sanity. *I've, in the past three weeks, rode about fifty miles. That used to be a normal weekday road bike ride and now it's taken 3 weeks. But I still rode them, despite the circumstances. And in all of this I've realized that I don't have a disability. I have a setback where I can't stop or ride as fast. For now. The expectations are bright for a full recovery, sans some digits. I don't know if I have the ability to inspire but I hope that everyone doesn't take those 2 wheels for granted. You never know when life will throw a curveball. I've been fortunate enough to continue to bat.*

Wow, glad you're on the mend cj. I only hope I can be aggressive enough to tell everyone to pack sand should such an unfortunate event befall me. Thanks for posting such an emotional and inspirational event. Take it slow and steady. I'm rootin' for you!

Jeff, I just cried a bit with you. Tears of joy and admiration at your attitude. I am not sure that I would have the same attitude if faced with the same challenges. Keep on riding and writing and yes, you do have the ability to inspire. It only takes one man to affect great change.

Thanks! It's the first time I've been able to write it down. I hate being sappy but it felt nice.

Wow, that sounds nasty. Glad you survived!

Joy just threw this thread at me. I'm shocked, heartbroken, and excited for you all at once. I'm glad your return to cycling has affected you so positively.

Joy and I will keep you in our thoughts.

On the plus side, you can now really freak out those helicopter salesmen... :D

I had a customer this summer who had severe injuries to his back. Against his doctor's advice, he bought a step-thru frame and started riding. He crashed after a few weeks, we replaced the brake levers for him, and he kept riding. Cycling is as much therapy for your body as it is for your soul. Keep on ridin'.

Non-cyclists don't understand how important it is to us to be able to ride. Keep pedaling, CJ. :)

Wow, Crackerjab, I hope your healing continues to go well. That's a lot to go through, kudos to you for persevering.

You might send a PM to Walter, he modified his bike so it will brake with one hand.

Damn, that sucks about your hand. Could have been worse, though.


And out of curiosity, this being FOO and you being you- I have to ask: how hot was the medical staff?:innocent:

Wow. I am most certainly happy that you can maintain a positive outlook on this. Best wishes! :beer:

Wow CJ I was wondering where you've been, we've missed you! I'm glad that you are alive and here to post this. Shocking news but with your strength I know that you are going to be okay. You are learning all over again, and with your determination I can see that it won't be long. Please keep on keeping on and continue to go further. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you. ((hugs))

This story is utterly amazing and you are now officially my hero. I'm sure you can figure something out to make riding easier (first things that comes to mind is switch front brake to right hand and possibly consider a single speed with an easy gearing so shifting isn't something you're worried about). Keep us posted!

good luck with your recovery. keep on riding. :thumb:

All the riding thus far had been on my SS errand bike. I unfortunately can't clip out of clipless pedals yet but will be able to at some point. And as far as hit nurses go I don't remember. However my girlfriend has reminded me that I was flirting with a couple hotties.

Good luck to you!

All the riding thus far had been on my SS errand bike. I unfortunately can't clip out of clipless pedals yet but will be able to at some point. And as far as hit nurses go I don't remember. However my girlfriend has reminded me that I was flirting with a couple hotties.

Thank goodness your brain is ok!

Glad to hear you are on the mend!

All the riding thus far had been on my SS errand bike. I unfortunately can't clip out of clipless pedals yet but will be able to at some point. And as far as hit nurses go I don't remember. However my girlfriend has reminded me that I was flirting with a couple hotties.

Did you toss some platforms on your SS bike then? I imagine that would be the easiest while you're getting back in to it.

Wow, that's terrible. I cried, too. Glad to hear you're back on it.

... we might want some hand pics, though. This is Foo. :)

Did you toss some platforms on your SS bike then? I imagine that would be the easiest while you're getting back in to it.
I keep flats on it.

Wow, that's terrible. I cried, too. Glad to hear you're back on it.

... we might want some hand pics, though. This is Foo. :)

I'll get some up once the open wound is closed up completely.

You might send a PM to Walter, he modified his bike so it will brake with one hand.

Check out the Paul Duplex brake lever (http://www.paulcomp.com/duplexlever.html). It's a long or short pull, adjustable reach crosstop-style lever that actuates 2 cables simultaneously.

^Thanks for that. A friend of mine was born without a thumb on his right hand. He may never be able to count to ten, but maybe he can ride a bike.

I saw the disability thread and wanted to share this here as well because it's like a distant dysfunctional family.
I resent the hell out of this remark. We are a close dysfunctional family, and you sir are out of the circle of trust until some amends are made.






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So did this accident involve an RC helicopter salesman? In a motor vehicle perhaps?

I resent the hell out of this remark. We are a close dysfunctional family, and you sir are out of the circle of trust until some amends are made.








Posted from Wordbiker's Secret Trailer of Doom

You are a bit of jerk for throwing CJ out of our circle of trust. So what kind of jerk does that make you I ask?

You are a bit of jerk for throwing CJ out of our circle of trust. So what kind of jerk does that make you I ask?

That's my big eared twin brother you are talking about... :D

CJ - Let us know if there is anything you need if we can help you get out there and kick some ass.

oh wow - I too was wondering whatever became of you, C J - I'm so sorry to hear about your set back, but very glad you are back up swinging. Life tests us all the time...it's so good to know we can dig deep and find strength we didn't know we have.

I had a nagging injury myself - very very minor compared to yours - but it's kept me off the bike for the better part of a year - in fact, today I am about to swing a leg over the bike and ride to work for the first time since November 2010...I was actually feeling a bit anxious about it - finding your post just now gave me the push I needed. So thanks for your inspiration...and continued luck with your healing - pls keep us posted.

I would say Foo is only dysfunctional on the surface...when we need to be, we're as tight as any good family.

oh wow - I too was wondering whatever became of you, C J - I'm so sorry to hear about your set back, but very glad you are back up swinging. Life tests us all the time...it's so good to know we can dig deep and find strength we didn't know we have.

I had a nagging injury myself - very very minor compared to yours - but it's kept me off the bike for the better part of a year - in fact, today I am about to swing a leg over the bike and ride to work for the first time since November 2011...I was actually feeling a bit anxious about it - finding your post just now gave me the push I needed. So thanks for your inspiration...and continued luck with your healing - pls keep us posted.

I would say Foo is only dysfunctional on the surface...when we need to be, we're as tight as any good family.
Good luck on your ride! :thumb:

I'll get some up once the open wound is closed up completely.

Are you forgetting that this is Foo? We want to see pics with it NOT closed up completely!! :p

Good luck on your ride! :thumb:

Thanks! :)

The dysfunctional Foo part is where I immediately went from picturing a hospital scene, seeing graphic wounds and imagining injury pain, to seeing a hawt nurse's behind just begging for a swat as she bends to adjust an IV :innocent:

Thank goodness your brain is ok!Is that what you call it? :D

OP, you have sisu. Best of luck on your recovery.

--J

You are a bit of jerk for throwing CJ out of our circle of trust. So what kind of jerk does that make you I ask?

You know exactly what kind of jerk I am. Don't be coy.






Posted from Wordbiker's Secret Trailer of Doom

So did this accident involve an RC helicopter salesman? In a motor vehicle perhaps?

I was going to suggest taking up a collection to buy CJ a RC Helicopter to help him in his convalescence.

Awww WB, I've missed you too.

PGoat, good luck to you. I know it's tough but with enough will and a bottle percocet, you can do anything.

What if I told you guys I was trapped under an 18 wheeler for 2 hours, full of RC copters?

Thanks! :)

The dysfunctional Foo part is where I immediately went from picturing a hospital scene, seeing graphic wounds and imagining injury pain, to seeing a hawt nurse's behind just begging for a swat as she bends to adjust an IV :innocent:

Please don't swat anything. This is when I, or one of my administrator colleagues, have to come and talk to you about this. We are pretty busy as is.

What if I told you guys I was trapped under an 18 wheeler for 2 hours, full of RC copters?

... that would be serious poetic justice for the RC copter salesmen, but I don't believe it.

Awww WB, I've missed you too.

It's mutual buddy. ;)


It was getting awfully sappy in here and someone had to give you a hard time. You're a tough guy to keep down, keep up the good work on your recovery.

What if I told you guys I was trapped under an 18 wheeler for 2 hours, full of RC copters?http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb5ov6qvitg/TlQf8IWFrXI/AAAAAAAABhY/uy79dRc1WZo/s400/Richard+Simmons.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb5ov6qvitg/TlQf8IWFrXI/AAAAAAAABhY/uy79dRc1WZo/s400/Richard+Simmons.jpg

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. But seriously, the truck part is accurate, the RC copter part, not so much.

An X-ray of the hand about 6 weeks after the crash.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n56/jabarnhart/b590bfb6.jpg

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. But seriously, the truck part is accurate, the RC copter part, not so much.

Yikes. That sounds like it was quite an ordeal.


An X-ray of the hand about 6 weeks after the crash.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n56/jabarnhart/b590bfb6.jpg

If you flip someone the bird, do you have to use your index finger now to get the right effect?

Yikes. That sounds like it was quite an ordeal.



If you flip someone the bird, do you have to use your index finger now to get the right effect?

No pulse when EMS got there so it was initially treated as a fatality. I woke up at some point asking for help. Dark, trapped, and feeling death knock at the door while awake for 2 hours is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I've been asking myself the same thing about the bird. Here's a better look at what I'm working with now...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n56/jabarnhart/93783842.jpg

Dang dude. That is intense! On the up and up, it looks like you're basically wolverine now.

Dang dude. That is intense! On the up and up, it looks like you're basically wolverine now.

I literally tell people it's adamantium. The response is priceless when they're not aware of X-Men.

You could take up archery, or move to England and come the World's Greatest Football Hooligan.

Wow CJ.

I am so happy that you are here with us today. Dammit. We could have lost you. VERY thankful that your life was spared. ((hugs)).

I literally tell people it's adamantium. The response is priceless when they're not aware of X-Men.

Who's not aware of X-Men???? ;)

Who's not aware of X-Men???? ;)

what has two thumbs and speaks french?

Moi!

AA person who shall remain anonymous just gave you Ti forever, crackerjab, and I decided to throw in a Sheldon Eagle for your can do attitude.

Thanks Tom! I'm just doing what I think most people would do.