A word of caution...

If you get a flat tire on the Freeway, you should either call a tow truck from your cell, or limp the car off the freeway. Go ahead - drive on the tire/rim, its much safer that way.

Please, please don't change the tire on the freeway. My cousin helped someone change a tire on the freeway and was injured very seriously.



~PM~

 

Well...
I know the details, but here is the abridged version -
A co-worker called him from her cell phone for help.
His initial impulse was to call her a tow truck and pay for it. But he drove out to change the tire.
He parked behind her, and proceeded to help. He was bent over between his and her car, when she screamed. He stood up as another car plowed into the back of his car, forcing his car into hers.
He lost one leg above the knee immedeatly.
He lost his other leg below the knee in surgery.
I went to see him yesterday and they are keeping their spirits up as best as they can in this situation. He's young (34) and Amanda (his wife) is as strong as one can be. Last night she went home from the hospital to tell their three young kids.

He has another surgery today (routine cleaning and inspection for infections). He will undergo many more surgeries and will eventually have his legs 'evened out' so he can wear prostethetics.

It has not been the most festive and care-free of holidays here (Another cousin of had an anurysm in his Aorta just before xmas as well...at least he's back home now...)

If you care to know more, you can go to
http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/visitAPage.do
his name is Aaron Holm.

-=peace out=-

~PM~

 

Daelon - Yes, she was off the side - on the shoulder. The vehicle that hit was swerving, the drivers side hit Aaron's car. Obvious negligence I'd say. Who know's if he was drunk that early in the Morning, reaching for a CD, or talking on his cell.

BT - I hear what you're saying. Aaron was thrown OVER his car, then he got up, hopped (on one leg) a few feet and then fell over. As he layed there, he realized he was looking at his leg.
He just had another surgery today (cleaning/inspection) and will have another on Saturday.
Thus far, the Dr.'s are really optimistic. There are time-tables being estimated now, when things will happen (wheel-chair use, prosthetics, etc.) As I just mentioned - the DR's are optimistic.

Thanx for the thoughts...

~PM~

 

Aaron pulled in behind the gals car -
I'm not certian if he had completed changing the tire or not, but he had fallen between the two cars, and heard her scream. That prompted him to stand immedeatly; then the oncoming car struck.
His left leg was instantly severed - the right was too damaged to save, and had to be removed during surgery. The oncoming driver never left the scene, yes, his car (as well as the other two) were totaled.

This is beginning to sound like a greek tradgey;
- Aaron's insurance has to pay for the damages to her car, (it hit her car)
- One bone is partially shattered and split from his knee up his hamstring.
- He had a mild allergic reaction to morphine (under control now)
- The on-coming driver is a 79 year old man.
- The co-worker is 5 months pregnant, and we don't know where she is. We know she is going to carry this with her forever, and we ALL fear for her as well. (5 months pregnant~!!)

Any good news you ask?
Well...so far I know that the oncoming driver is cooperating fully
- Aaron will keep his job, the owner said so, and he (the owner) is flying in from their HQ (in Phoenix) to see him.
- Aaron starts upper body training today. The Drs are VERY optimistic that with in 8 weeks he may be able to move about on prothestitics.

~PM~

PS - Not a mark on him otherwise. When I saw him at the hospital, he had a very faint bruise above his right eye. (I told him he really ought to do something about that.... )

 

Aaron works for CDI CORP

And so, here I am in WI to visit my parents, and pay a visit to see My other cousin (Derrick) who had an aortic dissection of the big artery on December 11th.
DERRICK's STORY

...and DAMMIT Just as I get up here = he's back in the Hospital down in Minneapolis....



~PM~