All,
I feel I have the dubious honor
of saying I’m uniquely qualified to respond to Carol’s accident
having been similarly hit. A few thoughts:
1.
Cards DO matter.
Even if she has no idea who you are, it will help her get through the very
difficult days she has ahead of her. I have over 100 cards hanging from what
remains of my rear wheel after being hit. It hangs from my ceiling and is a
constant reminder of the power of prayer AND THAT PEOPLE CARED when I needed it
most.
2.
Legal recourse is an
oxymoron. The driver who hit me got a $50 ticket. Her auto insurance didn’t
even cover the cost of the titanium implants in my leg/spine let alone surgery,
hospital costs, PT and at home nursing care. If Carol doesn’t have good
insurance on her own maybe a ride-a-thon to raise $ to help defray Carol’s
medical costs would help. I was fortunate to have high levels of my own
insurance and a good attorney who got a settlement for me but the amount of $
that go out on something like this is otherworldly. Tal – you are likely
the person best to know if fundraising ride would be helpful for Carol and her
family.
3.
I spent 3 months in
a body cast until my vertebrae healed. In my case, I had a titanium mesh put
around the vertebrae and then a cage around the mesh. Carol likely has got a
lot of discomfort and PT ahead of her. I hate to say it but when the cast comes
off the hard work starts. I would be happy to share what worked for me during
my own challenge when Carol is strong enough to listen. Tal, please let me know
what is appropriate.
Humbly offered,
Vicki
PS. For those who don’t
know, I’m back on the road, riding slowly but surely at the back of the
pack, grateful for being able and grateful for the help of Bob Claude and
the support of my GCC/ TF friends for helping me get back on.
From:
gccmail-manager@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:gccmail-manager@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Talmadge B. Mincey
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 10:32 AM
To: gccmail@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: gspeary@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: GCCMail: Fellow Cyclist Struck by Car
All,
Holly and I met Gary and Carol during a tandem rally in
Sebring this spring. They have done multiple cross country tours and are
very strong riders. Carol was struck from behind on Christmas eve.
They welcome any advice we could offer. Gary says it's OK to contact them
directly. See correspondence and email address below.
Thank you in advance for your cares and prayers.
Tal.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Speary [mailto:gspeary@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 10:11 PM
To: Holly Mincey; Talmadge B. Mincey
Subject: Re: Carol
Tal & Holly,
Here's the latest on Carol:
Got a call from the hospital this evening. The
nurse I talked to was excited! They were able to get Carol to sit up the
whole way and then on the edge of the bed. Because the bed is so high
they didn't want to chance going to the floor. They have transferred her
out of the ICU and she is now in a room where they will be starting physical
therapy. What great news!!! Thanks to everyone who is
praying. Your prayers are being answered!
BTW, she has eaten solid food today for the first time
and now wears a neck brace and body brace. They have to be worn for 3
months till the vertebrae are healed. The braces give the stability
needed to sit up and eventually get out of bed.
Please do share Carol's story with the Gainesville
Cycling Club. We cyclists need to stick together to counterattack the
abuse we experience on the roads. There are lessons to be learned in each
one of these experiences. We are anxious to hear of any advice your
fellow riders have for us, especially what legal recourse we have.
Any of your cycling friends may contact. We welcome all suggestions.
Thanks for your kind comments and prayers. They
really help!
Gary
--- On Sat, 12/27/08, Holly Mincey
<ullrichfan@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> From: Holly Mincey <ullrichfan@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Carol
> To: gspeary@xxxxxxxxx
> Cc: "Talmadge B Mincey"
<tbm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Saturday, December 27, 2008, 9:14 PM
> Gary,
>
> Be assured that Carol (and you) will be in our
prayers.
> With your permission, I would like to share Carol's
> story with the Gainesville Cycling Club;
unfortunately there
> are many in our club that have been through similar
> experiences and may be a valuable resource through
this
> ordeal. I will wait until I hear back from you
to do so.
> Please give us an update on Carol's condition as
time
> allows.
>
> May the Lord bless you and keep you.
>
> Tal & Holly.
>
> PS: The CC address above is my email. I am in touch
there
> more than at home.
>
> Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2008 4:26 AM
> Subject: Carol
>
>
> > Friends,
> >
> > I apologize for the mass mailing, but things
are very
> hectic in our household right now. I'll
contact you
> personally as time permits.
> >
> > We are visiting at Carol's mother's place in
> North Port over the holidays and yesterday she was
riding
> her bicycle alone in a remote part of North
Port. I had
> recent foot surgery so was not able to ride with
her. A car
> approaching from the rear hit her and did not stop.
> Fortunately two guys standing nearby heard the sound
of the
> impact and rushed to the scene. She was in pretty
bad shape
> and had to be life flighted to Bayfront Medical
Center in
> St. Petersburg.
> >
> > Carol is presently in the neuro intensive care
unit.
> She seems to be more comfortable now than when I
first saw
> her in the ER. As comfortable as you can be
with her
> injuries.
> >
> > The last diagnosis was 2-3 broken ribs, slight
pneumo
> thorax (collapsed lung) of both lungs, a severely
bruised
> right lung and several cracked vertebrae. I
saw the CAT
> scan write up and was able to count 9 vertebrae
listed. The
> good news is there is no loss of mobility or feeling
from
> the spinal damage. As you can imagine she has
many cuts,
> bruises and road rash on her body. She's one
tough
> cookie though. The doctor told me in cases
like this the
> patients are usually crying and screaming.
With her there
> wasn't even a wimper. Carol will be in the ICU
for
> several days and the hospital at least a week.
> >
> > I stopped at the police department on the way
home
> from the hospital last night and was not able to see
the
> report on the accident, but did talk to an officer
who was
> at the scene of the accident. He told me Carol
was riding
> east in a light traffic area of North Port when she
was hit
> by a car also traveling east. The car had 3
occupants all
> under the age of 18. There were no witnesses of the
impact,
> but two guys nearby heard the impact and immediately
rushed
> to the scene. A North Port policeman was
approaching from
> another direction, saw the car speeding away and
immediately
> ran it down. Had the car stopped less the 1/4
mile later.
> The driver (a girl) was charged with hit and run,
resisting
> arrest (part of the hit & run charge), driving
with a
> suspended license and possible DUI. They took
her to jail
> and impounded the car. The 3 kids said they
didn't know
> they hit someone, but the police had to pick up
parts of the
> car off the street and people
> > several hundred yards away heard the
crash. Go
> figure! Car belonged to mom & dad.
Policeman was not
> able to tell me if it was insured.
> >
> > If you'd like to send a note to Carol you can
mail
> it to the following address and I'll see she gets
it.
> Because of the damage to her spinal column her
mobility is
> very limited and can't even talk on the phone.
A card
> or note would be the best way to make contact.
> >
> > Carol Speary
> > 5936 Ibis Court
> > North Port, FL 34287
> >
> > Times like these are tough, but they are also
growing
> times. She's in the Lord's hands and we're
> trusting He'll take care of her and bring a full
> recovery.
> >
> > Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.
> >
> > Gary
> >
> >
> >
> >
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