Off Topic

[garyreinhart]

Hello friends and fellow paddlers-
I am making an off topic post to clue everyone in to my situation. Friday, Sept 9th, while riding my Harley Davidson near home I was hit by a truck. I lost my left leg below the knee, broke my left arm, pelvis, ribs, vertebrae in neck and back but won't require surgery, and my jaw. I was life-flighted to a Trauma unit in Tulsa Oklahoma where I spent 14 days undergoing my leg amputation surgery, arm repair surgery, and jaw being wired shut surgery. I am now in Rehab in Tulsa for another 1-2 weeks and then will be discharged to go to TN to live with my sister. I will continue healing there which will include learning how to walk again in the beginning of December and being fitted for a below the knee prosthetic. This is just a heads up to let all of those who know me and have paddled with me know what is going on. You can reach me on my cell phone at 913-314-1543.
I fully intend to be paddling again hopefully by this winter-spring season, once I figure out the stump/prosthetic leg situation in my EZG-50. If anyone in the club has any experience with below knee amputees paddling whitewater, please shoot me a phone call sometime. Thanks, ya'll have a great day! I am doing great, excited about the upcoming challenges, and I will be fine!! I AM HAPPY TO BE ALIVE.....

[Roger]

I understand. Hope you heal soon and well.

[Renee H]

Hey Gary - sorry to hear about your accident, but on the bright side I know a couple folks who are still active with prosthetic limbs. There's a guy here in Little Rock named Mike Gauthreaux who is an excellent paddler and has no problem with his leg. We met a girl at Rockport this summer who canoes a lot, but is wanting to get into kayaking and she, too, has a prosthetic leg. Sabrina put her in a kayak and let her test drive and she seemed to do fine. So get well soon so you can get back on the water!

[ckuntz]

Holy $#!* Gary!

Can't believe this, and am very sad to hear about it...
but am also glad you are alive.
I hope for a very speedy recovery and wish you nothing but the best.

Chris

[74broncogirl]

Glad you are ok! As a Social Worker who has worked on an Ortho floor in a hospital, it's all about attitude. You certainly have the support from the group here to help you get through this and it sounds as if you familial support group is good, as well. I am always amazed at those who shine and persevere in the face of adversity. Keep your chin up and continue to dream about paddling again soon! Don't forget to tell your ortho docs, physical and occupational thereapists, social worker and prosthetic specialists about your future plans so they can help you reach your dream.

Good luck!

Christy

[Cowper]

Steve Daniel, who wrote the Texas Whitewater guide, is also an amputee (double, either just above or just below the knee, I'm not sure which).

His outfitting would be applicable to your situation - I can best describe it as a built-up front wall that allows him to fully engage his leg and control the boat the same way he did before the loss. I'm sure discussions and photo exchange with Steve would be valuable - and he is a great guy to know besides.

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The woman Renee is talking about from Rockport is also a potentially very important point of contact for you. She is very active outdoors, but just starting on adding kayaking to her life journey. BUT - she is some type of specialist in the development of prothetic devices, and works for a company that is making state-of-the-art devices.

[Michele Jackson]

Wow Gary - so sorry to hear about your accident. But as you said, very happy you're alive to paddle again in the future. Best of luck with your rehab. Looking forward to seeing you on the river again. If it ever rains enough....

[summerbee]

Gary, I've worked in rehab for a long time. The best advice is to demand the BEST therapists, the BEST prosthetist as well as the best of everything else. Begin your research NOW on prosthetic limbs so you will be able to more actively particpate in the decision making process. Technologic advances have created a plethora of options. If something doesn't sound right as you proceed in your rehab, CHALLENGE it. You will do well, a determined and postive attitude will get you exactly where you want to go. Best wishes to you.

[okieboater]

Gary,

I second what Cowper posted.

I first paddled with Steve Daniel way more than ten years ago.

It was a winter run on the Cossatot. Steve was with a group of Texas paddlers. We all joined up for the falls drops and made the last part of the float as a loose group. At the falls, we noticed how easily Steve was cleaning the drops. No indication of his injuries and this was in the day of long heavy kayaks. Steve was playing every river feature on the rest of the run. Our group got a bit in the lead as it was a very cold overcast day and warm trucks were waiting at the bridge.

This was back in the days when you took out on river left and carried up the trail as we parked just off the highway up top.

I was halfway up the hill when Steve came by me with his kayak on his shoulder. Big grin and he made the hike that had me exhausted look easy.

Bottom line, a visit with Steve Daniel would be a very informative way for tips as to starting your program to get back on the river.

Best wishes and good luck, see you on the Mulberry later on this season I hope or if not then soon.

dave reid

[Clif]

I beg to differ??? See no reason this is off topic? Fully relevant to me
Glad you are ok and have the attitude to persevere. Prayers, brother.

[Jim E]

Sorry to hear of your accident Gary but am glad you're not going to let it keep you from the things that you love and enjoy.

Wish Big Creek in OK would have stayed up overnight so you and I could have run it back at the end of May when my wife and I were staying in the lodge.

Good luck and keep fighting for the things that you know that you can do!

[Eric Esche]

I agree with the others - NO WAY IS THIS OFF TOPIC. Should probably be a "sticky" when you are ready. Please keep us regularly posted as to your location, status, and contact numbers and let us know when you want to start back going paddleing and how you want to try it, and ANYTHING we can do.

If you go to modify your kayak in any way, tell us about it and some of us may have the things to help you do it. Like I have a couple of sheets of 3/4" microcell and a 4" thick block that could be used for a wall or padding in my "scrap or spare parts" pile. Others have things laying around as well.

I feel like a wimp for all the complaining I have done since my knee replacement in June as I am still in nearly continuous pain, but what I have gone through is obviously nothing. I was lucky enough to have both my canoe partner and my wife to see me through when I needed to get back on the water via my sea kayaks on the lake here and I remember how much it meant to me then and still means.

When the time comes, ASK and someone here will be your paddle partner at whatever level you want to start back at, in what ever water craft you want to start back in. If I can loan you a sea kayak to start back with on flat water like a lake, say so. and I will try to find a way to modify the rudder peddal system to something like a pivoting rudder bar, if you can not use the existing system with one leg, not that you need a rudder with any of my sea kayaks.

I know you really love whitewater, but know that quiet water can be mighty nice way to get out on the water if you haven't been able to get on anything in a while, and you might get back on the water sooner if you try quiet water first. I will go with you in a tandem canoe if that ever appeals, but I have to tell you that Mary or her dog Chloe are probably the only ones who think I am an acceptable open tandem canoe partner.

Looking forward to seeing you on the water.

Eric Esche

[summerbee]

Gary,
Ditto what Eric said.
I can probably hook you up with some disabled vets who remain active in a variety of sports. The Veteran's Administration hosts Paralympic games which includes a variety of sports and handicap levels. I work with a guy who helps coordinate it. Say the word.

Tammy