Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler My story

Well guys, here's my story.

I was an avid athlete and excelled at virtually any sport I tried. I ended up getting into mountain biking when I was 16 or so, and got my first "real" mountain bike when I was 17. It was a Kona AA that cost me $1500. My other four buddies ended up getting good bikes also and it ended up consuming most of our time outside of farm chores etc. Our mountain biking originally consisted of 30 + K bike rides anywhere and everywhere, and then we started getting into trials riding. We built our first trials riding course at my friend's house and it consisted of various platforms, stairs and ramps.

Before I continue I will mention that we were all thrill seekers. Two scenarios that were very close to my accident are as follows. Virtually a year to the day prior to my accident we were at a local amusement park on the water slides. We were on one of the very tall steep water slides with a long run at the bottom and a pool at the end of it that you would skim across. Well, one of us came up with the idea of putting our feet in the water as soon as we came off the slide (at very high speed) which would cause us to flip forward into the pool face first. It worked for a while until it was my turn and I did just as mentioned, but I ended up flipping in the air and landing headfirst on the bottom of the pool which caused me to crack my head open for 19 stitches. I had to be rushed to emerge and the doctor then said that it was lucky I didn't do any more damage. The second scenario was only a week or two prior to my accident. We were at my friends cottage (same friend where I had my accident) and we went on a long canoe trek looking for cliffs to jump off. We successfully found two that were side by side and the taller one was around 40 feet high. We never checked the depth of the water, nothing, just climbed up, looked down and said "it looks safe" and jumped in repeatedly, luckily without any drastic results.

One of the reasons why I'm pointing these two instances out, and trust me there are many many more, is because you can't live your life wondering what might happen, because you will never live. Yes, take some time and question your actions before hand; like the depth of the water, but just live!

So it was a week or two after cliff jumping at my friends cottage and I attempted to ride my bike off the trials course that we built, which was 3 feet high, and as soon as my front tire got off the side of the platform it dropped and my chain sprocket got caught on the edge of the platform causing me to flip forward very quickly and I ended up hitting my head on the ground, snapping my head back. I blacked out for a very short period of time, coming too with my friends asking me if I'm okay. I was extremely uncomfortable, but somehow I had the wherewithal to know not to move me. It's weird, I knew to get my friends to grab an ice pack and put it on my neck, I knew not to move me, and I knew that I was going to be paralyzed, as I was telling them this while I was lying there waiting for the ambulance.

After they called for the ambulance, I also got them to call over my sister, my best friend and his brother. When the ambulance showed up, my friends and assisted them in putting me on the spinal board and then the EMS did a very short "pinprick" test on my body to see where I could or couldn't feel, and I will say that that is the scariest thing I had ever gone through, constantly answering no, no, no, and my whole body feeling like pins and needles (like your foot being asleep). So, they loaded me in the ambulance (I was supposed to be airlifted but couldn't because of a storm looming) and the last thing I remember is ending up at Peterborough Hospital and seeing my father with his question to the EMS " how does he look" and he replied back to my dad " not good". Shock had kicked in. I have been rushed to the hospital a couple times since then, and the one time I was put in the exact same trauma room as when I had my accident, and my mom told me that I was talking to them but I still can't recollect anything.

The next thing I remember is waking up in Toronto Western Hospital after my initial surgery and "asking" my parents if Kim is still around. Kim was my dog, and my parents were going to get rid of her because she would destroy the house when she wasn't around me.

I was in intensive care for two months. I had a tracheotomy, feeding tube, and just about every other electronic monitoring device you could have hooked up to me. I can't recall everything, but my spinal surgery was 4-4 1/2 hours long. They took a bone from my hip, fused it to my neck with a metal plate and two screws. I completely severed my spinal cord at C4-5, but my neck is fused from C2-6. I then had to go back and have another surgery for my tracheotomy because I couldn't breathe on my own. I had other surgeries after those but don't recollect any of them. I would also have my neurosurgeon and his team come and check me out daily and do the " pinprick" test to see if I was gaining any sensation. Because I couldn't call for the nurses if I needed something, I came up with any unique way to make a clicking sound with my mouth that was easily audible, and everyone was quite amazed how I adapted to the situation and figured something like this out on my own. While I was on the tracheotomy my lungs periodically had to be suctioned because I would build up phlegm and would be able to breathe. It was very uncomfortable having a catheter inserted through the tracheotomy into my lungs to clean them out and then having to have a mask placed over my mouth and nose to pump my lungs with air in order to get me "breathing" again. The reason for "breathing" is I was on a breathing pump.

After about two months they moved me to the spinal cord unit and they tried to get me off the ventilator in the hopes that I would be able to breathe again and get rid of the tracheotomy. Because of the area where I sever my spinal cord and the duration that I had the tracheotomy in for, they were unsure if I would ever breathe or speak again on my own. See, C4 of your cervical vertebrae controls your breathing ability, and if you completely sever your spinal cord in that area it is unknown if you will breathe again on your own. Also, the longer you have a tracheotomy in for, the worse it is, because it damages the vocal cords therefore rendering you unable to speak. Luckily after several times of testing me breathing on my own and talking, I actually said something (and haven't quit talking since LOL). I immediately called home and spoke with my dad and sister, and then call my best friend.

While I was on the unit they got me on an extensive physiotherapy routine that would consist of sitting in my wheelchair for as long as I could, as well as trying to move my arms. I had absolutely no movement when I was transferred from intensive care, but regained a little bit of movement (just enough to drive an electric wheelchair) in my arms before I left. After 2 1/2 months in the hospital I was transferred to Lyndhurst Hospital, which is a rehab hospital exclusively for people with spinal cord injuries, and is recognized as the best in Canada and one of the best in North America; there were patients from the United States and even as far away as Jamaica.

I spent six months at Lyndhurst, and every Monday to Friday consisted of breakfast, workout, physiotherapy, lunch, workout, occupational therapy, supper, then whatever I pleased. They never forced anything on anyone, it was at your leisure, but I worked my butt off to get to where I am now. When I was initially admitted I could only move my arms slightly, and upon leaving, I was able to move my arms to their full potential. The end result was having sensation just about my nipple line, the use of my bicep muscles, no try some muscles, and no use of my wrists four fingers/hands. It was very sad to leave after six months, as I gained some very good friends, whether disabled or part of the staffing.

I ended up going home and having to have my parents house totally renovated so I had my home semi apartment with my own bathroom, and having an elevator installed. I lived at my parents' house for a couple years and they took care of me. My dad had to end up quitting his job to stay home and take care of me, and once they felt more comfortable with me being left on my own, he ended up starting his own home business which he still has and is fairly successful selling safety supplies to clients such as the fire department, sewage treatment plant, and Quaker Oats, to name a few of his main clients.

A few years past and I ended up buying my own home after I got accepted for government funding for client care. I've been living on my home now for around 10 years and enjoy every minute of it. Ever since leaving their rehab hospital I have been battling sores continuously which cause me to be bedridden for extended periods of time. I was having problems with my backrest for years and I would lay on my side, not only because it was preferred, but to keep the pressure off my back. After many years of doing multiple custom back rests, I ended up doing things on my own and finally came up with something about five years ago and my back has been fine since. A short while later I ended up getting sores on my hips from being bedridden, and they have evolved to be very serious; I've had them for five years. I also have a sore on my butt, and have been dealing with it for the same length of time, and it is what causes me to be bedridden now. Because of this sore and my previous sores on my back, I've easily been bedridden for five of the 10 years that I've been on my own. Teri has been with me for two years now, and I would guess I've only been up for a total of three months at the most. I had given up on hospital and "professional" help regarding my seeding because I had been through so much and nothing had worked, so I started to do things on my own which worked for a while, but over the past couple months I've been making trips back and forth to Toronto in hopes to fix my seating along with consultations for my sores on my hips. They want to do plastic surgery but I'm very skeptical and have said no.

Some complications I have due to my disability are scoliosis, and some other curvature of the spine [essentially my spine curves to one side and twists forward one side], osteoporosis, bladder stones removed three times via surgery, currently have kidney stones, and we are unsure of osteomyelitis.

Ever since my accident it has never bothered me. Sure I have my bad days like everyone does, but life goes on. I also have a very good, close knit group of friends(you guys included) and family as you've seen through my pictures. Friends and family have got together numerous times for numerous fundraisers that have helped out tremendously; I don't know where I would be without it.

I also have a huge amount of respect and a soft spot for my neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator; he saved my life. He is no longer a practicing surgeon but instead has taken up the head position of spinal cord research in Canada. He told my parents that my spinal cord injury was the worse he had ever seen and that it look like I had hit a wall at 100 kilometers an hour. He uses my Xrays whenever he does a seminar. Here is the man himself talking in a recent seminar. He shows my Xrays 18 minutes in (that age is wrong on the slide LOL)

Well, you guys asked for it :-). Also, Micah, yes I use a voice program on my computer.

PS. This took me 3 hours to write up :-). If you guys have any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks for sharing. Now we all know just how self-centered you are. Really, it's nice reading about stuff I know nothing about. It almost seemed like I could feel how your injury must have felt while I was reading about it. Scary stuff. It's great to see how you're meeting all of your challenges. I'm not sure I'd be able to scrounge up that amount of determination.

Thanks for the three hours. It was an interesting read.

Wow, that's some story.

I have to admit, I don't think I would have the positive attitude that you maintain, a testament to the "love of life" you write about!

Thanks for sharing Cam. I have the utmost respect for you going through what you do and still live with such a positive attitude. You are the man.

Cam, Thanks for sharing. And thanks for the time it took.

On a far less serious note, does your doctor know about this? VVV



The Viagra ads suggest that you should call your doctor if you're up for more than 4 hours.

Scott

Amazing young man you are Cam, don't know that I would have been able to make it through as far as you have ... thanks for sharing your touching story and we'll be praying for a miracle.

Yes, thanks for sharing, Cam. That is quite a story. I can't imagine going through anything like that, let alone coming through it the way you have and not letting it slow you down.

Wow... I can't say that I would maintain the same positive attitude that you have. Truly amazing that you are so positive about things. Do you still talk to the people that you were biking with during the accident?

My pleasure guys. Very emotional reading your kind words.

Wow! Saved by a Tateor.

Thats quite a story Cam.

Cam, from some brief comments you made in the past I had a vague idea of what must have happened, but reading the full story is astonishing. Yes, I'm also amazed at your spirit and positive attitude. Hopefully we're able to help a little in maintaining your outlook.

You're very inspiring, Cam. I'm glad you have a wonderful support group and such a positive manner, this will surely help you go forward.

::A prayer to the Big Guy to help Cam with his recovery::

You’re awesome Cam. Stories like yours inspire me to think positive about my own life circumstances no matter what comes up.

Thanks for sharing.
Dean

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to include so many details. I think they call what you have "human spirit"

What a story. You have amazing strength to keep going through all that.

As you sow so shall you reap, your positive outlook will surely reap many benefits in the future and is an inspiration to many, thank you for sharing

Thanks for Sharing Cam. It's a very scary but equally touching story. In the end, it's a truly inspirational story. I think we have all just gained a little more courage for ourselves from it, should we ever need it.

Thanks again guys.

David, yes I am still very good friends with everyone that was with me at the time of my accident. Although I ended up suing them, they are like extended family to me. Charlotte, the owner of the house, was very accepting and actually sat down with my lawyer, my parents and I shortly after my accident. That family has been responsible for many of the fundraisers for me,

Cam - Murph, JohnK and all of our other friends have already said what is in my heart. Your ongoing love of life remains very inspirational to me, and I am happy that you keep "showing up" here every day to share your observations, wisdom and experiences with us. After all you have been through and the challenges you continue to face, your ongoing success in making a positive difference in other peoples' lives is simply amazing. You have my sincerest respect, gratitude and admiration.

What the guy with the drill said!

Story's like yours, and the tales of those who have lived through war, famine, earthquakes etc. makes me feel insignificant in a very zen (ie: good) way.

I'll have to remind myself of this the next time somebody in the office is driving me up the wall.

Thank you for sharing your story! Awesome attitude!

Remember to buckle up.

Thanks for taking the time to share your story Cam.

Cam, thanks for the time spent. I'm going to make my kids read it when they get a bit older. While you are 100% correct that you can't let life pass you by, kids just don't think this kind of thing happens. An ounce of prevention can help - NOW I know that.

I was very close to sharing a ward with you. At age 18 I was mud-wrestling with a fraternity brother at a big year end bash. Dumb-ass figured he could flip me over (he just got back from Marine Boot Camp), although I was a fit 6'1" and 220 lbs. He was halfway right.

He got me to about 180 degrees and ended up dumping me on my head. Thankfully I was so trashed that the pain was only severe enough to know I had to get to a hospital. Numbness and needles over the whole body, but I could walk. I was not alone, in the waiting rooms were no less than 6 girls and guys from the party, all covered in mud, all injured from the mud party. I looked fine so I got to wait while the collar bones and noses got preference.

Based on my pains, they x-rayed my back [foreshadow sound], said no viable damage and sent me on my way. Numbness went away, and immortality was proven, while sharp pain remained. I helped the girlfriend move a week later. After three weeks I still was in pain so the neurologist ran an MRI. Mid-way through the test he said "don't move; your spine is fractured in two places!" WTF? The ER docs said nothing was wrong - with my BACK!

Turns out I fractured my C5 and C7 (in the NECK), but luckily they just cracked down the length and did not shift. Thus my spinal cord was fine. Dr. said five more pounds, or a slightly different angle and I would have been paralyzed from C5 down.

Two years later, while mountain biking by myself, I got my front week stuck in a broken bridge that shot me over the handle bars like a Muppet - whhhaaaapppp. No hand out, no helmet, right on top of my head.

Hit just hard enough to hurt like hell and scare the shit out of me - e.g., just hard enough to get through my hard head. All was fine, but the immortality was gone. I really ratcheted it down after that. Backed off the throttle a bit and reevaluated things.

Hopefully my kids will take your life story for what it is, a lesson for others, whereas my story is just "daddy walked 10 miles to school every day, up hill in the snow both ways!"

Thanks for sharing Cam, and don't stop fighting.

Good story Zimm. Back in my immortal days, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people that were appropriately careful. I did a lot of out of bounds skiing, but always with other people.

One of the guys I skied with pulled a guy out of a tree well (a hole around the tree where no snow settles). He was skiing by himself and had dumped into the well head first. All my buddy saw was a pair of upside down skis sticking out of the well. Had my buddy not happened a long and found the guy when he did, the guy would have ended up suffocating.

I thought you said "back in my IMMORAL days" for a minute, Fred!

A similar story to the one you just brought up. One of my freinds brother's was snowmobiling with his buddy up north a few years ago when buddy took off real fast ahead of him up the trail. My freind's brother took off to try and catch him but couldn't seem to do so...he was nowhere in sight, so he doubled back thinking he had somehow passed him, but still couldn't find him. He spent a good time asking around if anyone had seen him on the trails or at any of the stops along it, nada. To get to the point...buddy had flown off the trail at high speed up the trail and hit some evergreens, which dumped a considerable amount of snow on him and completely buried him and his sled leaving virtually no trace of him. They found him a couple of days later, not sure if the collision killed him or if he suffocated or not.

Well, that too...

That sucks. To us southerners, snow seems so nice and soft. Don't know how yall keep getten stuck under it?

Its a true Canadian skill eh. Beers, touques and getting stuck in the snow.

Zimm, your story is very similar to an old friend of mine from Lindhurst. Jerome had a dirt biking accident and ended up breaking his back, rendering him a paraplegic, but because his injury was incomplete he was able to walk again.

When he originally wiped out on his dirt bike he had some pain but got right back on and rode home. As soon as he got home and got off the bike he couldn't move. If only he didn't get back on the bike.

I'm running out of time here, but I'll tell you guys some of the stuff that happened to some of my old friends from the hospital.

scary stuff...