11:38p.m. Ten Years Ago on This Date July, 21.

[just_dave]

I was in an ATV accident and suffered a spinal cord injury in the 5th vertebra down in my neck. Been paralyzed from the chest down since. It's been H_ll. Luckily I'm really good at h_ll.

Wake up every morning and think about the things worth living for, everyone.

And please, no pity or I'll hand out spankin's. Let's hear about the things in your life worth living for instead.

For me.... It's my Mom and Sister and little Dexter the dog too.

[pikergolf]

My kids, my kids are worth living for.

[CBintheNorth]

For me it's my wife and our 2 boys - a 20 month old and a 3 month old.

Being on a glass calm lake on a sunny day or being in the muskeg at the end of September are magical, but without my family my life wouldn't be fulfilled.

Thanks for reminding me to appreciate what I have even more.

[Rustydog]

For me it's my wife and our dogs. And all the time we spend in the hills.

[sureshot]

My kids.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by just_dave

I was in an ATV accident and suffered a spinal cord injury in the 5th vertebra down in my neck. Been paralyzed from the chest down since. It's been H_ll. Luckily I'm really good at h_ll.

Wake up every morning and think about the things worth living for, everyone.

And please, no pity or I'll hand out spankin's. Let's hear about the things in your life worth living for instead.

For me.... It's my Mom and Sister and little Dexter the dog too.

Funny how trauma can reveal things or bring clarity to a person.
I always tell folks that the day I had my heart attack was one of if not THE best day of my life.
Aside from the one thing that went obviously wrong...everything else about that day was positive.
I kept my feet moving and didn't quit.
People went above and beyond to help me.
The system worked.
The drugs worked.

What kept me going was family and the fear of anyone thinking I was a quitter or that I'd just given up.
I just could not stand the thought that anyone might think that I hadn't fought tooth and nail to the end or tried hard enough.
I hate quitters... and there was no way that I would have anyone think that in my final moments...I'd become one.

I wanted to though... it was tough.
Imagine yourself at 11 or 12 thousand feet with a rucksack walking on snowshoes with knife in your chest.
When I made it to the hospital my weight opened the door... I was pretty much done in... legs shaking...hands shaking, barely able to stand sweating like a pig...panting and gulping for air.

It occurs to me now that maybe it wasn't my best day...maybe it was just my best.

Over the years and mostly due to my career choice I've met or known a lot of folks who've faced cancer, lost a limb etc.
Seems like somehow... the event made them better.
Stronger or more resiliant.
They all had or have heart and a certain toughness about them.
They also seem to be fairly fatalistic and able to see the good or the humour in their situation...even if it was irony.

In this moment I realise now that I don't know if it is an external motivation thing.... or just character.

[Bennettcw]

My kids and wife...

[MrSmooth]

My family is everything

[Lefty-Canuck]

Almost lost my Son when he was just 18 months old....some quick thinking by my Mom and her friend and the Dr. in Whitecourt are the reason he is here today. Very thankful for that, that little turd got to ride in the STARS chopper too! Gave us quite the scare.

LC

[Lornce]

Wife and kids, is it for me, the reason I still peal my aching bones out of ben in the morning for another day.

[Redfrog]

Grandkids.

The closest is about 1 1/2 hour away. Her dad is working in Sask for a few days and we are sorta on the way. Six thirty brought a knock to the door and she was standing there. I had just put coffee on and now I had the sweetener.

She's here for the day, it's gonna be good'un.

[lopinyote]

My kids...they are the only reason I'm alive and sober today and every day.....they change my life from the time the first one took his first breath....with out them I would of been dead 25 years ago.

[thunderheart]

my kids .. my beloved half side brenda .. had my scares too..

this stan rogers song always come to mind...enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-aE...8E7B19581B26F5

[keep6matt]

My parents, brothers and sister, nephews, nieces and all my good friends...lost my wife to be several years ago in a surgery gone wrong, miss her terribly every single day.

[Rob S]

Im thankful to be able to roam this great country and outrageously beautiful province. Thankful for all my friends and family and all of you. With all the sh*t happenin these days, every day really is a miracle!

[Fish along]

Family is every thing .

[FishingMOM]

Dave you have a great attitude and outlook on life.
Have you managed to dognap Dex yet?

[nof60]

Originally Posted by Lornce

Wife and kids, is it for me, the reason I still peal my aching bones out of ben in the morning for another day.

Poor Ben

[Albertadiver]

Originally Posted by nof60

Poor Ben

That's awesome!


For me, it's my family, especially my wife.

Also, my dog Duke. He's my buddy.

[greylynx]

Family and little things like exhanging and sharing thoughts with intellegent people like you on this AO forum and people in your condition at a huge auxillary hospital Edmonton.

I know what you mean by hating pity.

Thanks for the question.

[Mistagin]

Thanks for sharing that just_dave.

My wife has worked in the past with paraplegics and quadriplegics, and she can say how most saw life and what is important in life with new clarity after.

Myself, I was a hair's width from dying in a work accident with a saw when I was 20. It sure brings things into perspective. I've never taken life and health for granted again!

What's most important for me on this earth is family, led by love of my wife, my kids and grandkids (just found out the 5th one is on the way ), and then being able to enjoy in every way possible, as Red Fisher used to say, "God's Great Outdoors"

[nekred]

As I have grown older my outlook has changed, When I look around I have so many things to be thankful for....

Last evening I was just sitting in the easy char reading when all of a sudden my third boy yelled out "Group Hug" and next thing I knew all 4 boys had piled on me in the chair and all giggling and laughing. Afterwards I asked my 3rd boy what brought that on... and he said "I thought you needed a hug and so did I"... pretty hard not to feel pretty good after that...never mind the monitir the brok the day before by throwing stuff where they were not supposed to be throwing stuff!...

I have seen some peopl who have had some dreadful injuries and they end up being an encouragement to those around. This is awesome but what is even cooler is those who do it because they have just decided to do it on their own.

We live in a country and a place where we have awesome opportunity!...

Thanks!

[catnthehat]

Every day I am above ground makes me wonder why I am relativelly injury free and in pretty good shape while others around me who deserve better are disabled and/or dying.
I gave up trying to figure out stuff like ths and simply thank the lord that myself and my family are still here.....
Cat

[rosh]

All family, dogs and our beautiful country specially mountains and lakes!! Great attitude to! Mother inlaw has ms and been in wheelchair for 24yrs(she's only 53) and never complains, loves doing everything we do!! Would like to hear how your accident happened if you don't mind. We ride quads and there are tons of idiots on them around. Thanx again!!

[Sooner]

My kids, My family and some real good friends, throw in being able to get out and enjoy the woods, lakes and everything in between with them and I got to say I'm am blessed beyond words.

[just_dave]

I found myself nodding in agreement to everything shared. Sometimes life can be more than a challenge. For myself, a little reflection and perspective just reinforces what it is in life that's worth the struggle. And looking at how much some have to struggle, I feel truly fortunate.

To answer about my accident. We were heading back to the town of Slave from a short little quad trip out by the Widewater/Wagner area. I was the atv/quad in front. We weren't going fast, maybe third gear at most. Driving down a straight narrow road, a grey owl swooped down from the left side of the trees and into my path. I slammed on the brakes as soon as it was in my vision. Still, the owl and I met face to face. The next thing I knew, I was being run over by an atv. My best friend was unable to stop fast enough and I basically twisted in a ball a few times under his quad before completely being driven over. As soon as I stopped rolling down the road, I knew my neck had fractured and I was now paralyzed.

[fishtank]

Family

[MadMarty911]

My wife, Alycia. My daughter, Abigail. My newly found out unborn baby

Roxy, our dog. Beans our cat.

And the rest of my family.


Oh and the AO forum

[mooseknuckle]

Kids man kids, almost 9 years to the day I dropped from a heavy dose of heroin, crack cocaine and alcohol. My first was born shortly after and put some perspective on things. Life now is freaking awesome, lovely wife, 4 great kids, successful business. Kids keep me getting out of bed every day.

[mooseknuckle]

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

My wife, Alycia. My daughter, Abigail. My newly found out unborn baby

Roxy, our dog. Beans our cat.

And the rest of my family.


Oh and the AO forum

Congrats on the new baby news!!