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My LITTLE accident. My LITTLE accident.
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Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 14 May 2010
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: George, South Africa
Posts: 21
My LITTLE accident.
Hi all riders. I can finally use both my hands again. On 20 March I was in a motorcycle accident that left me in hospital for over 6 weeks, first 10 days of it in ICU. I cannot remember anything of the accident. Last I remember was filling my bike with fuel, and then I woke up in hospital the next day. A car driving in front of me made a U-turn in the road without any indication of it. I drove literally into the car on the driver’s door, passed out while still on the bike after hitting the car with my head, and the bike started burning from fuel that came out of my tank from the impact.

When I woke up in the hospital the following day I couldn’t move anything or speak, I only saw my parents and the doctors looking at me. I was on a lot of pain medication. After 5 days in ICU they removed the pipes from my throat and I was able to speak again. The doctors gave me a full damage report. I tore my colon and main vein from the impact, severe 3rd degree burns on most left leg and top right leg, broke my right hand wrist in 2 places, left hand wrist ligament stretch, right eye nerve damaged(seeing double from front to right), throat nerve damaged(struggling to swallow food), and some glass in my forehead.

I was in surgery that night for more that 3 hours. When they cut me open I already lost 3 liters of blood. The main vein and colon was their biggest concern. After 9 days they did a skin transplant for my burn wounds, but it was unsuccessful due to infection. It took more than a week on cleaning the wounds daily in a bath with water, and taking a lot of antibiotics. The infection was gone and they cleaned the wounds for another skin transplant. The 2nd one was successful and I was recovering fast and strong. On 3 May I went home and I was able to walk out of the hospital.

At the moment my legs still have 3 small areas that must recover. I am still seeing double and struggling to swallow food, but the nerve should be healed in about 3 months. Both my hands’ wrist is still very weak. My main vein and colon recovered well. I am just very unfit as I spent 5 and half weeks in bed. I try to walk now as much as possible so the skin can stretch over my left knee. I am just very grateful to be alive and not having any permanent body damage. My bike is written off and I’m already on the lookout for a new one. My dream for going around Africa next is still in place, it may just start later due to financial reasons.

HorizonsUnlimited.com kept me motivated and my dream alive while in hospital and going through all the pain of burn wounds. Thank You





Safe Riding
Rassie
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Last edited by RasMan; 6 Jun 2010 at 23:16. Reason: some pics
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  #2  
Old 14 May 2010
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Hope you make a speedy recovery Rassie. Good luck with the bike search, happy and safe riding for the future. Cheers Jim
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  #3  
Old 14 May 2010
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Location: BC Canada
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Sorry to hear about the accident, but it's great to know you're recovering well. Also we're pleased to hear that HU has been a motivator in your recovery! Hang in there, and we look forward to seeing you on the road again
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Old 14 May 2010
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Sorry to hear of your accident but it's great news that you're recovering well and looking to get straight back on the horse !

As they say, what doesn't kill you makes you a better and safer rider !

Get well soon,

Ted
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Old 14 May 2010
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Hello, Rassie, glad to know you are healing...
You are very strong, and the targets you had in front of you are still there waiting to be reached.

Best wishes to be astride your brand new bike as soonest.


Greetings from north Italy, mate.
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Old 14 May 2010
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Location: Oztralia
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Hi Rassie, sounds like you are really suffering mate - what a horrible experience to go through.

However, it's great to hear you are ready to get back on a bike and are now actively searching for a replacement.

I wish you good health in recovering from your injuries, and look forward to meeting you on the road some day.
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Old 14 May 2010
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Location: Tucson, Arizona USA
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Sounds painful, but we're glad you are here to tell us about it. A stark reminder to expect the unexpected from car drivers (and wildlife, and girlfriends...)
Hoping for a speedy and full recovery amigo.

Sean
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  #8  
Old 14 May 2010
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Here's to a fast and complete recovery!
Can't stress enough the value of really good Physical Therapy. It's hard work and progress is slow, but will pay off in spades in a year from now.
(I had TWO infected skin grafts! ... they gave up, never could get it right, they cut them out with an exacto knife ... no pain killers!)

Good physical therapy saved me and got my strength back after 10 days in ICU and 20 more days in hospital. Six further operations, nearly 2 year recovery. Good PT kept me going and eventually got me back on the bike.

All the best!
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  #9  
Old 14 May 2010
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Location: Balgowan, South Africa
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my little accident
Glad to hear you are recovering. Hope it is a mild winter in George. Keep moving, vasbyt & you will soon be up & riding again.
Paul
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Old 15 May 2010
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Location: London UK
Posts: 141
It's great to know your are not giving up after such an accident. You are one of those examples of determination and motivation, we should learn from you and keep our plans or dreams still ongoing no matter what, as you do it.
Wish you recover very fast and get on your new bike soon to achieve your future trips
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Old 15 May 2010
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Ride on brother!

You are an inspiration to me. It is good to have a goal and keep a positive outlook. Best wishes for a full recovery.
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Old 16 May 2010
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Wow, that's a pretty grim set of injuries you had there! Great to hear you are recovering and still have the spirit to get back on. Good luck with the rest of your recovery!
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Old 16 May 2010
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Best wishes on a speedy recovery, Rassie from Norfolk UK....TDMalcolm
keep on a truckin
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Old 17 May 2010
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hi rassie,

thank you for posting your experience to remind us of the dangers of the sport, and of the importance of family and a will to survive...

steady healing...


dana
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  #15  
Old 18 May 2010
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: parana brazil
Posts: 64
sorry to hear about youre accident ,but main thing youre still here with us and making a good recovery , i too had an accident some months back ,very good lesson learned i now know what its like to be home bound for months on end and how much i miss riding the bike
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