i didnt see this thread ... before i posted in the orange crush area .... on the 3 rd of december 2010 ... i was hit head on at 120kph by a young girl in a stolen car that had its springs cut and different sized wheels on etc etc ...... i saw the car coming , i have been riding for 24 years and road raced for 3 years , i couldnt avoid the crash , i hit thr front and then the windshield , i went straight up and came straight down . when i sat up , i looked down at ehere my right leg should have been ....it was torn off below the knee the tib and fib were splintered and sticking out , my femoral artery was torn and pumping my lifes blood onto the road ..... my right radius arm was broken , my left wrist was shattered , my left leg was broken in 5 places in the tibial plateau , the left femur was split , my left ankle was broken and my big toe was broken as well , i would like to say i was tough and was quiet .... i screamed and screamed ..... i have served 15 years at that point in the new zealand fire and rescue service .... i knew i was about to die ..... something clicked in my head and i thought , stop screaming you fukin idiot , and start saving your self .....i starting yelling at the people standing around for a belt or rope or something to tie my leg off , asked for my helmet to be taken off , i was moving my head around so much , i figured if i had neck injuries i would know already .... got my leg tied off , i talked the young guy thru it , once my leg was tournaqued off i tried to asses my other injuries .... i still thought i was dyin at that stage ... so i got someone to dial my wife and i spoke to her in a way that someone does if they think they are never going to see them again ....not a call i hope anyone on here has to make .....i only passed out in the chopper on the way to the hospital ...... woke up in the ED , then woke up in the ICU ... and found out the damge to my right knee was too much and they had to cut off the rest to about mid thigh ...i was in hosp for 42 days , out for one week back in for 2 weeks due to a staph infection , then out , and a week later i got married to my very strong very awesome wife .... she is a canadian citizen and came to live with me in new zealand , i told her she could leave anytime ... she stayed , i can never thank her enough . there is a small u-tube doco on me called .....plan b for blair ....if you have a spare 28 mins take a look , anyway this seemed like a good place to tell my story .... im back riding and walking , heres some pics ..
Amazing story, Stumpy. It takes a strong will to overcome an experience like yours. All the best to you and your wife.
Stumpy I love your attitude, thanks for shariing your story and I hope that girl got prosecuted. Your a tough guy to me, best wishes and congrats on your marriage.
I guess my slightly shorter big toe isn't such a big deal anymore. Good god man! Glad to see you made it and are living life!
How the hell did you sit up to do anything with all those injuries? Adrenalin? Good on you for getting back riding and walking! I suppose since the girl stole the car she didn't have any insurance... btw, nice upgrade from the Honda to the KTM.
Amazing. Inspirational. Keep up the good work! You never said -- what happened with the girl / stolen car?
thanks guys .... the girl (natalia berkland ) got a 2 year disqual from driving , and 6 months of nightime home detention only . no jail time ..... she got pregnant to avoid jail .... no insurance , but that doesnt matter over here , you dont need insurance to drive or ride ....and no money compensation awarded from the judge .....the girl is as dumb as a bag of hammers...jail would just make her a better criminal ....with all my injuries the only one that really hurt was my big toe ..... no kidding just my toe , that was my main complaint at the crash scene .... cheers
That's the right, strong attitude. Anger can tear you up. Let it go. It all works out in the end, and this girl isn't going to have half the life you will, with double the legs. I recently had a friend die in a motorcycle crash, and it really made me think what I would want to say to my wife and kids if that happened to me. As much as I cherish justice, I really wouldn't them spending a minute wringing their hands over some asshole "getting away with it." Let it go... live your life. That's what I think I'd like to happen.
You Sir, have an awesome attatude, and an insperational will. Your wife (as if you didn't know), is an Angel!! Here's to a long, and wonderful life, for both of you .
You're one tuff Kiwi. Good on ya. And thanks for sharing the horrifying story, too. Glad you're back in the saddle!
+1000000 Blair, You have my utmost respect and admiration. Your story is an inspiration to those that think a (dis)ability is an end to their current life. Keep riding and keep the great attitude. And "Thank You" for sharing your story! C.
-Thanks for sharing, you've been blessed in many ways. -Great picture with your new leg.!!! ...Ten years ago, I cut myself using the wrong way a power tool: 2 distal falanges, from 2 fingers of my right hand ..., ..., -never mind ...