It has been a (long) year. Thanks.
 

Well I have officially been off my bike for a year now and I just wanted to let everyone know how I have been progressing. Am I even still considered a bike commuter?

It's been a tough year for the family but we have had a lot of support in every area of our life and I think that we have come through this year in a remarkable way.

I want to thank all of you for the the support you provided all of us; without it I am not sure what our life would be like.

Looking back through photos from the first few weeks and looking at where I am now, it has been nothing short of incredible. I am amazed by the fact that I am walking with only the slight aid of a cane at this point, and my endurance and strength are slowly returning.

Despite all the progress I have made I still have a long way to go. I will likely never regain full function of my left foot and ankle. There is the possibility of another surgery to help with the scarring on the back of the knee that is limiting my range of motion. I currently do 10-15 hours of a weeks of various therapies and I am trying to build my work hours up to as many as I can. If it weren't for appointments I think that I would be working near full time, but the appointments will taper off the next 6-8 months. I am feeling strong enough to think that I can pursue my teaching career that has been on hold for far too long.

I took today off and spent it at home with my wife and the little girl. It was a nice quite day at home. We went out for a walk to get lunch and to the library. It was a nice day for us to be together and have a true appreciation for what we have everyday and how quickly it can all change.

We are still doing a lot of recovery in our personal life, family, relationship, and careers. These things were challenging before the accident and this has just increased the stress of some of these areas, but we are making progress and we can feel the gains.

I want to send everyone a heartfelt and sincere thank you for all of the support and prayers that were provided throughout the year.

joeyduck:

I don't recall the circumstances of your situation, but I am glad to hear you are moving forward.

@Papa Tom

Cliff notes version: Bus and I collided. Dump truck ran me over. Severe blood loss, poly-trauma of lower legs, suffered rhabdomyolysis with partial renal failure, compartment syndrome resulting in fasciotomy of the lower legs, and a mild TBI. They performed extensive ortho repairs, vascular repairs to my femoral-tibial artery and popliteal vein, and a large amount of plastic surgery. I was ultimately in hospital for 18 weeks and had 7 operations.

We (my 5 month pregnant wife) moved a week after the accident while continuing to care for our four year old son and work and look after me and grow our baby girl.

I made it home three weeks to the day before our daughter was born.

I become the poster child for hospital fundraising for the year. https://vghfoundation.ca/events/gala/

"Commuter Emeritus"

You're an inspiration, Richard

Heckuva challenge and it sounds like you're on the road to recovery. My injuries from a 2001 car wreck were much less extensive (no surgeries), mostly affecting my back and neck. I was still using a cane for long walks up until around 2013, and doubted I'd ever bicycle again. But I got the itch last August and have been riding 2-3 times a week, usually around 5-10 miles, and slowly regaining strength and stamina. And I'm enjoying it much more than walking or physical therapy.

That is amazing results in one year. No doubt you will continue to grow even stronger. Thanks for sharing your progress with us.

Glad you're better and no doubt with your approach you'll continue recovering.

Holy...

Glad though to hear your recovery has been progressing. May it continue without further incident.

Richard, I've been reading your story for a year with great interest. I sometimes feel angry about what happens to you, but your optimism dissipates that within me. This is why you are so inspiring. I'm grateful that you share your story honestly, particularly about how your marriage is strained. Those of us lucky to be married have been through it. It's so hard yet it's usually worth it.

joeyduck, your story has been both inspirational and cautionary for me, and I am grateful on both counts. I think this also answers positively the question about whether your place in the Commuter BF is merited; i.e. the purpose of bike commuting and talking about bike commuting is not about just "riding your bike", any more than rock music is not just about "shutting up and playing your guitar" (in the words of Frank Z). I have a feeling you will be back your saddle literally as well as figuratively.

joeyduck, I don't have a lot of words to add, except I am also thankful to you for sharing your story. And I'm glad you're still around to tell it.

Without a doubt you've had a tough year. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. Wish for you continued progress in all areas.

i'm glad you are doing better [MENTION=190611]joeyduck[/MENTION] your story is incredible and i'm so sorry this happened to you.
please keep us posted more often if you can manage.

once a bike commuter always a bike commuter
 

+10

i concur and am sure your family does as well. Glad you are still around.. Bikes are great and all but being a dad and husband beats riding a bike even on the tough days with the kids. May God continue to watch over your family and I pray you and your family strengthen..

I agree thank you for sharing honestly your journey. I appreciate your attitude and pray you keep pressing on!

PS hug your kids and wife. Just because!

+1 Even if you never ride a bicycle to work again, you will always be a bike commuter (especially on this forum).


I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who seems to be more angry about what happened than joeyduck ;). FWIW - Richard, your attitude through all of this has been nothing short of amazing. I wish you continued success and progress in healing all areas of your life.

kb

Very glad you're healing. And still have your sanity. And that your wife and family are making it through. The stress on both of you must have been enormous.

No it hasn't. Maybe it "felt" like a long year, but it was the same length as others, and actually will be a day shorter than 2016. :)

Anyway, glad to hear you are doing well. Keep it up! You are almost there.

Thank you all. Some days I am also not sure how we have made it though in such good spirits, but I am grateful beyond belief that we have.

Yesterday, strangely, was a more difficult day for me emotionally than the actual anniversary. I think it has a lot to do with actual memories from the incident, yesterday I kept thinking about one photo from a year ago today. It is a photo of my son and me when he first got to visit me, I see the sadness in his face and it makes me well up with tears knowing how scary it was for him and how helpless I was. Even at that point my memory is still very foggy but I know that he was scared and just trying to understand what happened and I imagine all I was able to do was offer groggy reassurances and try to show how happy I was to see him through the pain and sedation. I have been giving a lot of thought about what it would have been like for them at that moment or if I hadn't made it and I am glad that I did.

I went out last night with a friend who was instrumental in the support of my wife and son and me throughout the whole ordeal. I talked with him about the tough day I`d had and we talked about those first few days after the accident. There is so much I don`t recall at all; I knew (very vague memory) he was at the hospital reading to me the second or third day but I had no idea him and his wife and another close couple visited on the first day.

But I`m just rambling and processing thoughts and events. When ultimately I just want to say another thank you to all of you.

Perfect.

joeyduck,
Thanks for checking in with us. Your experience is a reminder of how fragile our situations are, but the way you've handled it shows how we can overcome with strength, support and perseverance.

I can't wait for you to post an update about your teaching career.

In two weeks I start volunteering in a Science 9 class, Chemistry 12, and after school Math & Science tutor club. I have update my reference list.