Back in the saddle.

11-11-11

The numbers had been a recurring theme in my life for about nine months. The amount of times I looked at my watch or phone and saw 1:11 or 11:11 had reached a point that I was joking with my workmate that the world was going to end on November 11 2011, and, like an idiot, I went out to work on 11-11-11 without a care in the world.
I was released from hospital, a basket case, a couple of days before Christmas having gained 1/2 a kilo in hardware and with a new set of wheels in the form of a chair. My lower leg was broken in about fifteen places and my ankle was literally mush, requiring 14 screws and some major plating to get it back together, all soft tissue in the ankle was destroyed.
My arm, particularly my elbow, was also a mess, half the joint had to be replaced and another 14 screws and major plating was required. My pelvis was also fractured in about eight places. I'll attempt to put the ex rays up at some point, in a perverse way I'm kind of proud of them. When I do things I do them well.

I'd always intended to get back into road cycling but just hadn't gotten around to it. There was a real necessity to find silver linings in all of this in order to maintain my sanity so I decided to rake the opportunity to get a few things done hat I'd been putting offer some time.

Tags: Back, Getting, Rehab., in, saddle., started., the

2 members like this

Comment by heather on October 4, 2012 at 0:14: Christo, were you hit by a vehicle while cycling to work? More info on your rehabilitation could be sobering but also inspiring. The injuries sound awful.

I asked ACC to provide a trike in their free City Bike Hire scheme but taking a while:
-- explained that those with a disability (temporary of permanent) should be catered for
-- that a trike available from the BikeSA node would be near the Linear Park for quite cycling
-- enable those with a permanent disability to participate or try a trike before buying their own
-- at times AC members have been injured and unable to get on a 2-wheeler. Then I would like to arrange a supportive ride along the Linear Park. Awful to be isolated from cycling friends when most needed.

Comment by Christo B1 on October 4, 2012 at 18:56: Hi Heather. I've been knocked off both bikes and motorbikes over the years but managed to hobble away every time. This was a workplace accident. I fell from two stories up when a ladder slipped sideways as I stepped onto the roof, it's like a slap in the face just thinking about it still. I guess as the saying goes I have danced with the devil my entire life and I've finally been burned. I'm lucky to be alive and even luckier to be in a position to walk again. While I probably shouldn't be doing it, getting back on a bike has really brought a bit of joy and freedom back into my life. The trike sounds like a great idea and I'd recommend anyone in a similar situation to me, to get a little wind in their face, just to feel alive again.

Comment by Christo B1 on October 4, 2012 at 18:57: I actually saved this as a draft and it seems to have posted itself! I was planning on adding a bit more first.

Comment by heather on October 4, 2012 at 22:23: Christo, the person who posted the discussion can find an edit option near the top right corner so you can still add.

At times ABC New Inventors have featured gadgets for securing ladders at the top. Your ex-employer could search the web at www.abc.net.au Might reduce inconvenience and hassle of future compensation claim.

Comment by Christo B1 on October 4, 2012 at 22:59: Thanks Heather. I was a regular viewer(admittedly for the chaser etc later on) and I probably saw them all. Unfortunately on the day all due care was taken and everything was essentially perfect. As a result I think I was lulled into a sense of security and the rest is history, had there been a little more risk involved I would have been more wary. Just a genuinely stupid accident. Unfortunately with severe repercussions.

Comment by heather on October 4, 2012 at 23:36: How can a ladder slip sideways if secured at the top . . .

Comment by Christo B1 on October 5, 2012 at 0:19: Unfortunately someone has to climb it in order to secure it.
I had always taken on this responsibility and felt that I was up to the task. To this day I'm glad that it was me that fell and not one of the young guys that worked for me as I believe that I am capable of bouncing back from this and I could not have lived with the thought that I'd sent someone to their possible death. Sounds corny but its true.

Comment by Rob W on October 5, 2012 at 10:30: far out, with that many screws and plates, people will start calling you bunnings. Those sorts of accidents are never ones to walk away from. There was a case a few years back when a guy fell off a ladder onto a star picket, i'm sure he lived, but it wasn't pretty.

Back in the saddle.

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