Accident victim
expresses Gratitude This letter appeared in
the Harrison News Herald Opinion page Sept 17th 07
In
July, I was among the bikers on the Cliff Brewer/United Way Poker Run.
It was strange for me in a way because almost two years earlier I was in your paper
for a motorcycle related story.
On Sept 13th, a Tuesday I believe, a day that started like hundreds of days before.
I left for work at 5.30a.m. in the morning on a motorcycle. This time though
it would be different and change my life for ever.
Less than 5 minutes from home, less than two miles from my driveway, I was involved
in an accident.
Coming to a sudden stop, I flew 85 feet.
My injuries were severe: five broken ribs, collapsed lun, a broken back, lacerated
kidney & bladder, & the most damaging, an open bookfracture of my pelvis.
It was broken in three places and was open 4½inches.
This could have been a letter written by two grieving children, but it's my letter
of victory and of prayers being answered.
Forty-one total days in Allegheny General Hospital, three months in a wheelchair,
never being told by Doctors if I would walk again, being turned down by the
government for assistance, losing the women that to this day I still love, not knowing how
or if
I would support my kids; you could say that this was the lowest of low times for me.
As I said earlier though, thank God, prayers were answered.
The town of Hopedale came togther, thanks to Steve Mencer, Janice "Philly"
Phillipson, Tom Spoonmore, Chuckie Blanchard, their families, and all those that helped,
had a spaghetti dinner.
Fellow brothers and sisters of Local Union 1190 at Wheeling Pittsburg (thanks
to the guys at the Loco Shop, Loco Crane & Diesel Electric) took a collection showing
me much love & that I so many friends.
Speaking of friends, Bob Bates, Sean McGuire, Marsha Kamerer fought Pittsburgh traffic
once or twice a week to see me in Allegheny General Hospital.
I must mention Bub & Darlene Lazear. We aren't related by blood but by 50
weight Harley oil.
I owe you two so much for the visits, the birthday parties thrown for my son &
daughter, the ramp you paid for and built with Sean so I could get in to my
house with the wheel chair.
To
my family, I feel so bad for the pain I saw in the eyes of my mom who thought she was
losing her son. My sister, her son Derek, & her boyfriend Mike, who did so
much. In all the haze of those first couple of days Mike I swear I heard you choke
up when telling me it'd be alright.
And lastly my two kids, Ed turned 18 years old three days after
my accident and Meghan was 15 at the time. You guys grew up so fast, forced to take
on more responsibility than most kids your age.
You see I was confined to the bed for the first month I was home and the kids had
to do everything.
I still tear up thinking of how my little girl had to take away my bed pan.
They were both so strong.
That was then and this isnow. Showing God's power, not only am I walking now
but I've been back to work since sept 13th,2006. Yes, one year
after the accident I'm back todoing things I love, riding my bike.
There are many people I've notmentioned: Mike Ruchards, Chuck Barker, Jeff
"Waterman" Kamerer, Jon Pielech, Joe Bertha, Ed Palmer, Dean Dodds. who called
me while stationedin Iraq. Dan and Donna Runt, all the members of the Hopedale
United Methodist Churchm and so many more in my times of need.
I hope all of you who blessed me with also be blessed. I also pray that
the man who pulled out in front of me that morning will also findhis way and be blessed.
Those folks reading this, feeling that they're in lower than low times, you can
over come it.
I'm sure, God will bless anyone who asks.
Nearly two years later I have returned from a sevenday, 2,250-mile bike trip with
even with almost being run over near Morgantown, W.Va., it was a great trip that some of
you with me without even knowing! Norman W, "Skip" McMillion
Hopedale
The author,
on those exceedingly rare occasions when
she does think, indeed thinks very differently.
