Posts
686
Joined
10/23/2012
Location
Kennewick, WA
US
Busted my Collar Bone and two ribs. Surgery on the demolished clavicle tomorrow. My wife in the last two days has been told by 5 people she needs to take my bikes away. She is a keeper though and told them "I'm not his mother"! She also said "he'll be back on the bike as soon as possible and I'm ok with that". The ER doc and the orthopedic doc both had nothing nice to say about bikes as well. It's sad to me that some people are so scared to get hurt, that they never get to experience the pure adrenaline rush a dirt bike provides.
Props to Alpinestars for stepping up. I was chatting with Doc Bodnar last week, and he told me that they're even better equipped than before.
The Shop
Cutting oneself? Should we stop cutting our food?
Effing car accidents? Don't get me started.
To suggest I give up a fun way to exercise (and exercise my right to pursue happiness, by the way,) is irresponsible and short-sighted.
Explained this all to the doctor, who then condescendingly told me "if it hurts when you ride, then I suggest you not ride your bike as much". He then prescribed me with one of the nastiest pain meds there is, Gabapentin. It's an unconventional pain med, and I don't know much about it other than its so nasty that you have to be weaned off of it due to the risk of seizures.
Long story short, I have an appointment with Pastrana's hand/arm doctor the Monday after A1. No doubt he will fix me up, because he is someone who understands. Dr. Gabapentin on the other hand just wanted to stroke my arms and compliment me on my "tightness" if you smell what im stepping in.
People are more narrowminded these days than ever and view everything through their own inexperienced douche-goggles.
"Yup, I got hurt. Fun has its price for me, I guess. I'm glad "Normal" is working out for you. Me? Normal bores me to death."
"Hows _______________ working out for you? Oh, great, well keep it up then."
but on the other side of things, after stepping away I can kind of see things from an outsider point of view. so, so much more to life than motocross and when you literally risk your neck and life every time you ride, its impossible for non-riders to see the allure.
family and doctors concerned for your health, i feel, have a right to express their opinion, but no one can understand the passion we have/had for moto unless they feel it themselves, and we just have to accept that.
Let them have "Normal".
It's easier to thank them and just agree, "I'm an idiot and and I don't know why but man I'm not trying to die I just love living. Riding the couch isn't living to me, even tho it's safe"
Pit Row
"You have a family to take care of, how dare you continue to risk your like because you want to ride"....
For the longest time I was battling them by myself, but now that I am married to a woman above and beyond my level who 100% supports my racing, she goes to bat for me. She will tell everyone and anyone who is against my riding, and I quote "racing is what he LOVES, it's who he is. No one has the right to tell him to give up his passion. And god forbid he did die racing, his last moments were spent doing what he loved".....
Hard to argue with that.
After my last surgery we asked the doc if I my ankle would be strong enough to ever ride again. He told me straight up "the whole point of this surgery was to give you your life back. I want you to ride again, snowboard again, chase your daughter again...you NEED to get back to your normal life"
Got to love people who understand the passion...
People at work are judging anyone that lives a little on the edge.
I'm 58 years old and I'm getting it from all angles, but mostly the wife.
Ive been lucky in that Ive had few injuries over the years mostly because I'm slow, so that may be a good thing, but this has now got me thinking I should stop riding.
I got the "your too old for this" comment of course and we all know how ridiculous that is, but seems legit to those that fear for your health.
For me right now its more of a financial issue than a health problem. Loss of work is putting some pressure on my situation and doesn't play well for me to get right back on the horse without being penalized.
This sport has been a part of me forever and to just walk away will be very difficult. Ive had many emotions running through my head, especially early on in the recovery.
I get it, but people just don't........
"We drive to work every day. I know more people who have died in traffic accidents than on a dirtbike; 2:1. Way more who have passed from cancer, including my father. I'll take my chances doc."
I go to a Dr. that's stoked that I'm still having this much fun.
I am -not- snipping at any of y'all in here. If you're reading any angst into this, it's towards the "preachers of lameness" that're wearing scrubs in the ER...etc.
As to the "they just care about you, what's not to get?" poster.... Do you really, truly believe that,
Post a reply to: People just don't get it...