Respect Kelly!
I love your positive reinforcement and encouragement of a willingness to assisting others. The guys/gals must feel honored to have you at the helm. And you are correct, you couldn’t do it without them. What an amazing group you all are! Having a positive attitude and a positive mindset can help you make great strides. I know first hand how powerful the results!
For those of you that don’t know me, long story short. For the last, just over 6 months now, I have been recovering from a 5x rollover, car accident, May 13, 2007. Returning to our home, in Texas, from the first Flowboarding Competition of the year, at Wave House in San Diego, California. Myself and 2 of my daughters sustained injuries. I am so thankful, our friend Billy Tennant, from South Africa, was not injured. I understand from Kelly, Billy mentioned it early on, on here as did some other websites as well. People around the world have been so very supportive! I'm so grateful. I got the worst of the injuries and was in a coma, broke my neck—stage 3 C2 level, broke and dislocated my right elbow—muscles torn from the
bone, broken rib, Occipital Lobe Skull fracture and Traumatic Brain Injury. I have been in therapy, 6+ hours a day, 5 days a week, for the last 6 months. I was just recently cut down to twice a week this last week. I have had 7 surgeries and still have a Trachiostomy to assist in breathing—hope to be rid of this in a couple months. Not going to rush things this time as it is my second, after enduring emergency surgery to have it replaced…I believe I have written more on wavetheplanet:
http://wavetheplanet.com/user/Profile.aspx?UserID=2158
For those not familiar with Traumatic Brain Injury recovery, post coma, the recovery process can be pretty clearly identified in stages. Yes, I went through the uninhibited stage, combined with outbursts of cussing(not a characteristic of who I was previously), approaching total strangers who would annoy me in some way and I thought they were due a tongue lashing. Much to my family’s embarrassment and dismay. They soon began leading me by the arm through stores or populated areas, taking the path of the less troden and least confrontational. On several occasions, I have been accused by, unknowing-of-me, therapists and hospital staff, of being in denial of the seriousness of my condition! I would pull them aside while I was thinking, WTF, and say to them “Do you think I have progressed this far in a state of denial??" Having been a former Occupational Therapist myself, that just was not the case....."Just because I choose not to concentrate on the negative and stay/live back in the moment?†I have never been one to relish in the thought of my own, identified by some, as misforunes—I see it as opportunities and strengthening times—it’s all on what YOU make it. I look at it as a bump in the road, with no regrets as I have met so many awesome/amazing people through it all! I have grown up through a life of so called tragedy to some—My father was a Pilot for United Airlines and killed in a United plane crash when I was 3 months shy of 10. Yes, it was traumatic, however, I learned a lot from my Dad and accompanied him on several surfing missions. I remember forging the cliffs of the most amazing secret spots that are now coveted by many and brutally protected by locals—yet we were among some of the first to explore that territory! He would make his own boards in our Redondo Beach garage, back in the early 60’s. I have followed in his footsteps of his love for the ocean and water sports. Now living in a landlocked part of TEXAS is a far cry from it all. California is where my heart is. However we are making the best of it and are actively involved in riding the Retro left break, Flowrider wave, at Hurricane Harbor. I have met and come to find out that MANY of the top bodyboarders in the WORLD, ride the man-made waves as well, to have fun and stay in shape, when natural conditions are flat! Brandon Foster, Paul Roach, Mike Stewart, Eddie Solomon, Aka Lyman, Will George, Scotty Carter. Dave Hubbard, Manny Vargas, Joe & Keila Grozden, even actors--Josh Duhamil and Jerry O’Connell and Ultimate Fighter, Eric Apple, is a sponsored Cartel Team Rider, with my daughter Natalie…
are a few that I have met…
I am telling you all this to let some of you young guns know and be aware, that your mind is a very powerful thing! I have learned through my own experience, that no one knows the extent of it, however, a POSITIVE mind can take you far! I am told and I am not in doubt, that I am making a miraculous recovery! I am thankful to God, my family and the support of friends and therapists, along with having a positive attitude. Not all has been stress free and a walk in the park, however we WILL get through it! You can do whatever you want to do and be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it.
Tomorrow, Nov. 22, is Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. A National Holiday. A festive time often spent with family/friends gathering around the table for the traditional, stuffed Turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes and gravy, rolls, vegetables followed by pumpkin pie with whipped cream. This year, more than ever, the celebration has taken on new meaning to me. Life is short and can be taken from you—snuffed out in a moment! I am so thankful for a second chance at the gift of life! Give it all you got. Live out your hopes and dreams. Stay positive. Be strong and focused. Peace—
**Thrilled to see Danny Black and his epic photographs on this site as well! He has been such an inspiration to me and my family. Much respect and mahalo
Whew! Sorry, looks like I caused this thread to get off course--
Back to:
Quote:
"why are you proud to be south african???"
