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.
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.
