[Editors’ note: I took the liberty of inserting a picture of Chris. PB]I’m sure this will seem funny in retrospect.
Friday morning, I was riding in to work on my scooter. As a lot of my route takes me eastword, that means the sun is right in my eyes.
So, I couldn’t see the road clearly, and I clipped a parked car about about 20 or 30 miles per hour. I laid down the bike (think I may have totalled it, but I’ll hope not) and hit the road on my left knee.
An ambulance ride and some X-rays later, it came out that I had really done a number on the knee. Shattered the bone below the knee into several pieces, so they were going to have to operate to put those pieces back together.
They did so that afternoon, and I’ve been recovering from it ever since.
Prognosis is that I get to stay in the hospital for a few days, then I get to go home and be very careful not to put any weight at all on that foot for the next six to eight weeks.
For those who care, I’m in Cox South hospital in Springfield, MO, room 806 on the East wing.
Very sorry to hear about your accident. I hope that the operation goes well and you fully heal and recover. Thanks very much for all your great posts on TeleRead especially those made while David is recuperating.
Being stuck in the hospital is so boring. I hope someone brings your ebook reader to you so you can read some ebooks.
Bummer about your knee and your scooter. Get well soon.
As they say in riding school, it is not a matter of ‘if’ but when you dump your bike. As a rider I have yet to crash — knock on wood — but I am happy to hear you survived. Good wishes.
My sympathies to you, Chris. Being a motorcycle rider your plight really hits home with me. Luckily, I’ve been accident free.
Had a long conversation with David and he sends his regards and sympathy as well.
My sympathies, too.
I used to ride motorcycles, until I realized how terrifying dangerous they are. You’re lucky not to have been killed.
I once listened to an interview on British radio with an orthopaedic surgeon. He was asked what measures the government should take to make his work more effective; the question begged the usual answers about funding the National Health Service.
He said (and I paraphrase): “Ban motorbikes. My wards are full of injured riders. Worse, their injuries are so severe that they keep making me postpone the operations of other patients.”
</rant
Anyhow, get well soon!
Paul — how is David now? Can you please update the relevant post?
So sorry to hear about the accident. TeleRead has been a dangerous place recently! I hope you have a speedy recovery, and that you get lots of extra online time while you are off the leg!
Best wishes, Bob
get well soon! i’ll second what bob (above) said — teleread is a dangerous place lately!
Ouch! Hope your recovery goes well!
Robin
Chris, get well soon!
I try to read TeleRead daily. Well miss your comments.
John
Sorry to hear about your crash. Make sure they keep the meds flowing. 😉 I was hit by a SUV a few years ago that smashed my left elbow and gave me amnesia, so I know where you’ve been. (I’ve since fully recovered.) I hope you get to feeling better soon.
In response to Richard Herley:
I think exactly the opposite should be done. SUVs should be banned and everyone given a motorcycle. They’re smaller, more fuel efficient, and would relieve traffic jams. I was also badly injured in a car as a passenger a few years before being hit on the motorcycle, so I’d say the only safe place to be is not on the road at all! 🙂