An incident at the Playa Sosua

Mar 2, 2008
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I would like to report on an unfortunate personal accident, which, while initially severe and serious, ended happily. I believe this incident illustrates the highest level of human kindness and compassion, and is clearly indicative of the fine qualities of the people involved.

First of all, the accident was completely my own doing. The surf at the beach was particularly rough, and the waves were large and menacing. However, the water was beautifully warm, and the waves compelling, so, like many others, I was in enjoying the invigorating surf.

While attempting a body surfing technique, which should have remained with the memories of days gone by. Note to self: you are not as young and agile as you once were.

The wave I chose to navigate was one of the larger ones, and I quickly lost what little control I had of that unusually forceful wave. As the wave was doing what any self-respecting wave would do, I was upended and unceremoniously deposited head-first onto a very hard surface at the shore-line.

It is no exaggeration to state that the impact caused some very serious personal injuries, including a cut on my head, and potentially severe trauma to my neck and vertebral column.

Although my injuries were very serious, and might have very well have proven to be severely debilitating, or even life-threatening, I consider myself to be extremely fortunate and blessed. The reason for that feeling readers will soon see.

Luckily for me, there were other DR1 members at the beach who witnessed that accident. They reacted quickly, efficiently, and selflessly.

Immediately, I was compassionately attended to by, Alanindr and Lifeindr (Alan and Sue), AZB (Aftab), Apostrophe Man (Darci), and Curt and Sandi.

I suspect that I literally owe life and limb to these caring and skilled people. I can not stress enough how much their collective actions meant to me.

They quickly administered professional-level first aid, stabilized my injuries, and reassured me that I was in good hand.

At that point, Sandi and Curt bought their car down to the beach (anyone familiar with that area knows that in itself is an amazing feat), while Alan and Sue, Aftab, and Darci pretty much carried me to the car, taking extreme care to keep my neck stable and comfortable.

Sandi and Curt then drove me to the new clinic in Sosua. I use the collective term 'drove' because they acted a team, and although Sandi was the actual driver, it was a true team effort, as anyone who driven in DR traffic will appreciate.

Although Aftab had to return to Santo Domingo for work at that point, the others joined us at the clinic and stayed to help ensure the prompt and professional care I ultimately received. Sandi and Curt were particularly helpful, as they kept tabs on an inexperience x-ray technician, and took overall control of the situation.

The attending physician was professional and friendly. He also displayed a fine sense of humor and a great "bedside manner". But even he made sure to check with Curt and Sandi before taking any action.

Darci, Alan and Sue, and Curt and Sandi remained with me at the clinic throughout the ordeal, and saw to it that I was very well cared for.

They also paid the bill and drove me home, with Darci escorting me up to my 3rd floor condo and explaining the situation to my amiga, who was completely unaware that any of this had occurred (the explanation piece requires a special gift, in my estimation).

Later that evening, Curt, Sandi, and Sue came by for a brief visit to make sure I was doing as instructed (another insightful and necessary skill).

I can not thank these people enough, although I am sure they do not expect or want any.

In any event, I truly appreciate, and I truly believe their timely and magnanimous actions had much to do with my recovery.

I just wanted to personally and publicly express how grateful I am to all of them.
 
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bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
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Having attempted to relive my youth doing the same thing in Hawaii with simular results I'm glad you survived intact. Yes it's fortunate that you had caring and responsible people to assist you. Friends like that make your world a better place. Get well and just admire the youth Surfing from now on.
 

jrhartley

Gold
Sep 10, 2008
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sorry to hear about your accident and hope you are not too bruised and cut. I'm glad you waited until I wasnt around to have your accident as Im not good in a crisis - you wouldnt want a headless chicken running around -
 
Mar 2, 2008
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jr, I know I exceeded my word limit, but those guys really desired a thoughtful thank-you.

They were something!
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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You were wise to follow the Swimmer's #1 Commandment: Never swim alone.

With all of that help...a few bottles of Presidente are in order...

Thank you for puttin up that absorbing account of courtesy and friendship and crisis management.

Well done all,

HB
 

AZB

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
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we are so glad that you have made it alive and in good spirit out of this ordeal. It was a very worrisome experience as you were demonstrating some serious (but brief) neurological symptoms which triggered us to take some immediate first-aid actions. I believe the iceing on your head might have stopped the degrading process to the impacted area. In any case, you are a tough guy to simply walk away from this injury to such a delicate area. The impact was severe and i was surprised he was walking out of the water as though nothing had happened. Then when he sat down, this is when he lost balance and all the symptoms took over.
I am simply relieved to see you are ok. I had called alan and he had assured me you were at your apartment, resting. I was going to come back in the evening to check up on you but I figured I should just let you rest.
Good luck.
AZB
 

LuvtheDR

New member
Apr 4, 2004
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Good to see that you woke up alive this morning! There really is nothing worse than waking up dead! ;)

You gave us quite a scare yesterday....and I would like to post a friendly reminder that:

1) While big waves are amazing to watch, and a hoot to play in.....they are also INCREDIBLY powerful! A good time on the beach can easily turn into a not so good time in the Emergency Room! (As we all found out yesterday)

B) NONE of us are as young as we think we are!!

I would also like to apologize to the table of people that I (somewhat forcefully) moved so we could get the car through! :nervous: SORRY!!
 
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eibbed

New member
Jul 31, 2009
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compassion, concern and community - the three C's

As I read with interest the account of what happened yesterday at La Playa de Sosua, Catcher's sincerity and gratefulness could be felt in each word.

This story really does illustrate the compassion, concern and community as traits that are inherently human. Things like this happen frequently, but most incidents we hear about aren't so positive. It would be great to have a column where the kindness of human beings is shared with others so we can all celebrate a world that consists of people whom we can trust in times of need.

Catcher, I hope you are recovering well, and that you won't let this incident deter you from future visits to the beach ... just not surfing right away, okay? All the best to you ... take good care of yourself!
 

Drro

Bronze
Mar 22, 2006
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Glad to hear you're Ok and on the mend. Thanks for posting your experience and great people in the DR. While I did not fall on myi head, I did lose it,and some of those same people took exquisite care of me.

While I know there are some negative experiences people share about on DR1, it's great to balance these with the wonderful people that are so generous in nature and have your back.

Bravo to all!
 

AZB

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
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I would also like to apologize to the table of people that I (somewhat forcefully) moved so we could get the car through! :nervous: SORRY!!

Its one thing to forcefully move the table but but, did you have to punch the guy's wife when she objected oh and was it necessary to run over the guy's foot with your suv tire?
Me make joke.
AZB
 

AZB

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
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Lets recognize the fact the local dominicans on the beach also tried to help and I am sure they would have carried him out of the beach if the car wasn't able to come inside the beach area. The dominicans did offer but we declined as we were able to handle it on our own.
AZB
 

LuvtheDR

New member
Apr 4, 2004
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Its one thing to forcefully move the table but but, did you have to punch the guy's wife when she objected oh and was it necessary to run over the guy's foot with your suv tire?
Me make joke.
AZB

Shhhhhh, AZB! We weren't going to say anything about that!!! ;)
 

whirleybird

Silver
Feb 27, 2006
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So glad you are okay catcher..... well done to all those who assisted in what could have been a disaster without a happy ending. Great to read of your true friends helping.... would hate for all that pork to have gone to waste hahahahahaha!!

Hope you are feeling much better today x
 

Beads

Bronze
May 21, 2006
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As long as we had a happy ending its a good story. Glad your ok and had good people around you to look after you in your time of need. This is when you know the true character of a person especially if they are your friend. When you truly need them. Apparently you have some good friends.
 

Berzin

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
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Glad to hear you had people close by to help out. And they just so happened to be DR1 members...;););)

As long as you're OK that's all that matters. We are all thinking of you.

Head injuries are serious. Please take it easy until you feel better.
 

Lambada

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Mar 4, 2004
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This happened yesterday and you're posting today? Amazing resilience. Well done to the rescue team! I can see Politur calling on Sue every time they need a beach cleared ;). Can't stress enough the importance of what Curt & Sandi did at the clinic - taking overall control in a way which didn't upset anyone. Albeit some clinics are much better than others, this is a very necessary activity and I am glad that you had experienced people with you who knew how to do this.

I do hope there are no long term implications of the injuries but I'm sure you will be monitoring this. Or we will, if we see any off the wall posts from you :cheeky:.
 

Chirimoya

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2002
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Wow catcher, good to hear you came out of that in one piece and well done to your fellow dr1ers for their quick thinking response.

This happened yesterday and you're posting today?
That was exactly my reaction - I thought this had happened days/weeks ago.