How head injury can change your life? My first injury came to me at 2 years old when my ankle was fat down to ankle knuckle. Next at 8 yrs old and at the family farm in Massachusetts called Brookside I tore my shoulder open on a milky machine. First my tshirt got called and pulled into my shoulder and open came to me, my dad's cousin Russell hit the machine off. Cut my tshirt off and drove me to a hospital in Fitchburg. Then a little older I had a cut to my left leg after rowing across the lake in the Adirondacks behind a club in St Huberts and after taking a row back and waiting for a half hour bus back to the club. Then Dad walked to get the car and drove me a half hour to the hospital in Elizabethtown to have it sewn closed and get rid of any bad stuff. Then after than that leg was better I broke my femur skating out of my buddy Sean's driveway in Wall Township New Jersey. This was the only time I had to spend a long time in a hospital almost eight weeks in a H that told me I'd be better in 3-4 weeks! Since then I broke my other shoulder at a friends house and was taken to Plattsburg for them to fix my clavicle taken and paid by the Farrells because I could not afford it. Thanks to the Farrells and opening me to the world of the YURT's. Since then I have broken my Right arm twice, the first time snowboarding in Lake Tahoe at a resort. I had climbed out a half hour to back slide and hiked well, at the bottom I hiked out of where I rode and didi not stapp myself in really hard and fell where the trail went from steep to flat. I got up and rode to the bottom and found the ski people who brought me in and told me I'd half to wait for an ambulance which I had a ride and got to the hospital quick. What would have cost me near thirdy thousand only cost me less than a thousand cause its how I live life as a poor guy. last thing was a broken in New Jersey was the same arm in a skatepark off NSG exit 124 and drove myself back to Vermont to have it fixed at the Burlington hospital. Since then all injuries I've taken by myself except for this last one where I fell too hard on 108 near Smuggs and now have to think about killing part of myself, my brain and how to ride better. Right now I think about equipment and a helmet that will protect my head because the next time I hurt myself will be too long.
Hope to see all my friends at my birthday party next Wendsday October 17 at higher Ground, please buy your tickets now because I want the big room ! ! !
Thanks and I hope to see you all there...
Big JOHN who wants to be medium John
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
I'm out of Fanny Allen Rehab and at a house with both parents!
So glad I got out of the hospital and glad to have Dr Knakal and spending almost a week at home with my mom who leaves me Friday morning... Dad comes up on Thursday same day we all eat a Vegan meal at 420 S Prospect so if your thinking about of me send me a comment! If I don't know you please call me at (802) 355-BIGS my cell phone and leave me a message and if I know you I'll call you back. Had a great visit with a girl at the hospital where she stays now but was where I was for 37 days, man how skating shows me the best. Can't wait to have a Vegan meal with Kate Gladstein and all her crew but tonight I dine with a friend and his girlfriend near Burton so the next few days I got dinner plans. Anyone who thinks how I live with all my crew must know about all my friends, Colorado, Montana, Tennessee, New Jersey, Massachusets, up and low New York, New Zealand and of course VERMONT !!! If your not on the list write to me and we'll write down where your from.
Just brought the COOL BUS to my mechanic and how to have my transmission and other parts fixed and hope to ride longboard and skateboard with all who come down to Ridin' High at the end of Pearl St looking out at the Adirondacks of New York, Thrashin Thursday . For all who want to come to my party October 17 at Higher Ground on a Wednesday night and everyone there can know my new age. Hopefully with Jesse Champagne a friend from fith grade, Turkey Bouillon Mafia with Seth Yacovone and Band playing Grateful Dead, then Lion Pride Sound plays all reggae songs... So if you can get tickets on Higher Ground Music .Com cause I want the big run to party in wher the band from Canada "the star" wants the big room. So if your a friend of mine make sure you get your tickets today! Birthday cake by one of my friends in Vermont Willie T so hope your hungry, all drinks from HG but I'm not drinking for a year or more.
Trying to lose some weight and get down to 220 from over 300 lbs, I'm now 265 leaving the hospital and want being a vegetarian to be the strongest skater VT knows. Burton contest (July 12 th 2008) on the one year skate back on there pool is all I can do but I have to get Burton friends to let me know its all good. I know I'm not the best skater Vermont has but I can run the program but I am the fastest longboard so get your feeling up! Hope to hear from all and see all skaters at Ridin' High when I can be there, but see me being best as Never Summer sees me be thanks to Malakai for talking to me last night. If you can get a snowboard get Smokin' from California, Never Summer from Colorado, or Burton from Vermont. Hope to talk to all my friends so leave me a message or call me !
Big John hopefully Medium John soon
Just brought the COOL BUS to my mechanic and how to have my transmission and other parts fixed and hope to ride longboard and skateboard with all who come down to Ridin' High at the end of Pearl St looking out at the Adirondacks of New York, Thrashin Thursday . For all who want to come to my party October 17 at Higher Ground on a Wednesday night and everyone there can know my new age. Hopefully with Jesse Champagne a friend from fith grade, Turkey Bouillon Mafia with Seth Yacovone and Band playing Grateful Dead, then Lion Pride Sound plays all reggae songs... So if you can get tickets on Higher Ground Music .Com cause I want the big run to party in wher the band from Canada "the star" wants the big room. So if your a friend of mine make sure you get your tickets today! Birthday cake by one of my friends in Vermont Willie T so hope your hungry, all drinks from HG but I'm not drinking for a year or more.
Trying to lose some weight and get down to 220 from over 300 lbs, I'm now 265 leaving the hospital and want being a vegetarian to be the strongest skater VT knows. Burton contest (July 12 th 2008) on the one year skate back on there pool is all I can do but I have to get Burton friends to let me know its all good. I know I'm not the best skater Vermont has but I can run the program but I am the fastest longboard so get your feeling up! Hope to hear from all and see all skaters at Ridin' High when I can be there, but see me being best as Never Summer sees me be thanks to Malakai for talking to me last night. If you can get a snowboard get Smokin' from California, Never Summer from Colorado, or Burton from Vermont. Hope to talk to all my friends so leave me a message or call me !
Big John hopefully Medium John soon
Sunday, September 30, 2007
JOHN SAVES DAMSEL by pops
JOHN SAVES DAMSEL IN DISTRESS!!!!!!! by pops
I relate this tale to amplify an aspect John's personality other than ER visits (one afternoon in Fanny Allen we examined and discussed his scars and determined there had been at least 10) and such affronts to soceity as smoking a joint on the steps of Madison Square Garden for which he had to pick up trash along 8th ave for 40 hours as service to community.
Once upon a time (in or about 2000 AD) John inadvertently snowboarded out of bounds at a Colorado ski resort during a whiteout as it turned out did others. When the sky cleared John found himself lost from the trail system but could sense where the ski town was and headed downhill toward a river valley which he deduced would lead to the town. As dusk approached he met a damsel from Texas in similar predicament but more panicked than he. They traveled together until stopped by dark. John ripped off spruce branches for a shelter and burned his dollar bills trying to start a fire to no avail. But as they snuggled together for the night they heard a snowmobile approaching and waved and yelled it down. It was the ski patrol searching for another group of lost skiers who had called in with a cell phone but in the dark terrain were having trouble locating them but eventually did.
Meanwhile down in the valley John's friend Allison having searched all the bars and restaurants at the recommendation of the ski patrol was distraught at the patrol's cavalier attitude but delighted when he did return with them. About a month later they related the story to me at my New Hampshire home which explained a mysterious message on my phone by a woman in Texas thanking me for my son having saved her daughter's life.
pops
I relate this tale to amplify an aspect John's personality other than ER visits (one afternoon in Fanny Allen we examined and discussed his scars and determined there had been at least 10) and such affronts to soceity as smoking a joint on the steps of Madison Square Garden for which he had to pick up trash along 8th ave for 40 hours as service to community.
Once upon a time (in or about 2000 AD) John inadvertently snowboarded out of bounds at a Colorado ski resort during a whiteout as it turned out did others. When the sky cleared John found himself lost from the trail system but could sense where the ski town was and headed downhill toward a river valley which he deduced would lead to the town. As dusk approached he met a damsel from Texas in similar predicament but more panicked than he. They traveled together until stopped by dark. John ripped off spruce branches for a shelter and burned his dollar bills trying to start a fire to no avail. But as they snuggled together for the night they heard a snowmobile approaching and waved and yelled it down. It was the ski patrol searching for another group of lost skiers who had called in with a cell phone but in the dark terrain were having trouble locating them but eventually did.
Meanwhile down in the valley John's friend Allison having searched all the bars and restaurants at the recommendation of the ski patrol was distraught at the patrol's cavalier attitude but delighted when he did return with them. About a month later they related the story to me at my New Hampshire home which explained a mysterious message on my phone by a woman in Texas thanking me for my son having saved her daughter's life.
pops
Beyond Rehab - Big John 2 by biggs mama
What an incredible feeling for Van and me to walk with arms linked through Big John's as we blew through the double doors of Fanny Allen Rehab into the fresh air, fulfilling the vision held for 79 days, finally realized on 9/28/07.
It's very difficult to express the depth of gratitude Big John's family feels for all of you who generously gave your love, support, experience and healing energy to Big John's recovery. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Yesterday we drove the 108 from Smugs to Stowe, then on to Jared and Alex's magnificent wedding. Today we continue the reconnections. You've known me to be verbose in my writings, but today I'm just overwhelmend to be here at 32 Russell Street with my son.
Y'all Come!
Love
Lauren
It's very difficult to express the depth of gratitude Big John's family feels for all of you who generously gave your love, support, experience and healing energy to Big John's recovery. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Yesterday we drove the 108 from Smugs to Stowe, then on to Jared and Alex's magnificent wedding. Today we continue the reconnections. You've known me to be verbose in my writings, but today I'm just overwhelmend to be here at 32 Russell Street with my son.
Y'all Come!
Love
Lauren
Friday, September 28, 2007
Out of Fanny Allen TODAY !!!!!
Hope my mom gets here soon so I can get out out of this crazy place. Meeting with Dr Knakal at 2pm so if you get my message come to my house on 32 Russell St for some dinner. Longboarding should be strong tomorrow with Will Deming manager of Ridin' High and my hope help event. Kody skateboarding tomorrow at Burlington's Skatepark at what time I'm not sure but the longboarding starts at 12pm so be at the park before Burton. What a great pool they have at the B center and a nice mini ramp next to that. Makes the vert ramp that use to be there miss its life and look to come back as a pool. Sitting at the computer till 8:30 so hope to see you all soon.
John
John
HELPING JOHN by pops
As predicted by Dr. Link on day 2 or 3 John has a problem with word recall. with all time time Ihave spent with him I have developed a sense of his missing or misused words and can usually understand. However on the skinny pancake/shop trek I noticed many bewildered/puzzled looks at what he said. Rather than give him the words the speech therapists have reccmended I coax them out of him and if not then give them to him and reccomend his friends use the same approach and tell him when he is not understandable rather than let it go by.
Yesterday John was tired from his many visitors the night before and slept through PT and left Speech early. The staff has been stressing he will likly try to do too much and experience fatigue. Be kind and do not push him to overdo. He needs the scheduled out patient therapy. In my opinion encouraging late nighs and overactivity is like giving some one with emphasima a pack of cigarettes. Speaking of which John has found out his lungs are about 40% gone from you know what.
But the above will not diminish his mothers and my joy when we walk out with him this late afternoon. We again thank you all and look forward to your viists to 32 Russell. pops
Yesterday John was tired from his many visitors the night before and slept through PT and left Speech early. The staff has been stressing he will likly try to do too much and experience fatigue. Be kind and do not push him to overdo. He needs the scheduled out patient therapy. In my opinion encouraging late nighs and overactivity is like giving some one with emphasima a pack of cigarettes. Speaking of which John has found out his lungs are about 40% gone from you know what.
But the above will not diminish his mothers and my joy when we walk out with him this late afternoon. We again thank you all and look forward to your viists to 32 Russell. pops
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Rider Down Deja Vu by biggs mama
Many of you know, or know of Julian, Biggie's nephew, Rachel's 14 yr old son, my grandson. Last evening, 9/25 Julian took a hard landing off his longboard suffering internal injuries. His Mom rushed him to Jersey Shore Trauma center where he was admitted to the pediatric ICU for observation due to trauma and bleeding in his spleen. While not life threatening, if the bleed doesn't stop by itself, he may need surgery. We'll know more in the coming 24 hours. Please wrap your prayers and healing energy around young Julian that he may make a speedy and smooth recovery without complications.
For me it was deja vu as I informed my housemates that I had to make another late night journey to the ICU at the Trauma Center, only this time it was I who drove to Rachel's side as she had done to mine July 12th. And too, "not life threatening" made this journey less frightening than that one. "What can I do to help" asked Julian's Uncle Madhu and Aunt Rebecca? "Call Latha to find out what we're dealing with" I replied. They did, and shortly later came back to me that first of all we can live without a spleen, however as an important center for immune function, spleen damage can make a body more susceptible to bacteria. Ok, we can deal with that. My Cherokee brother David returned my call informing me that if Julian's spleen should need to be removed in the event it doesn't stop bleeding, only the damaged part of the spleen would be removed, and that over time the remaining part would grow, and would still function. Ok, we can live with that.
Arriving at the trauma center in Neptune, NJ at 10:10 PM I was greeted at an entrance by a security guard who very quickly reminded me "you're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy". 1st prize one week in Neptune, second prize two weeks. After a quick mental adjustment I found my way to the emergency entrance, past the security desk to wander down guerney lined halls filled with a diversity of people requiring assistance, until finally locating the proper elevators ascended to the PICU. There I found Julian, hooked to an IV and monitors as his doctor made adjustments and a worried Mama perched uncomfortably in a convertible chair/bed. "Julian was in some pain, perhaps at that moment more from realizing his weekend trip to Georgia for a Bulldogs football game with his Grandpa Steve was cancelled now, or from realizing that he'd have to spend the remainder of 2007 in quiet repose.
This morning Rachel reported that his blood count didn't change during the night, which is a good sign that the bleeding is abating itself. He'll be monitored for two more days, and then, hopefully he'll be discharged.
Please y'all... no more ICU training for this ole gal, I've had quite enough thank you. I'll be back up to VT on Friday for a discharge meeting and then to walk arm in arm with my son out the door of Fanny Allen! Wow, what a concept! Awesome. With great gratitude to all who've supported us, my Love.
biggs mama
For me it was deja vu as I informed my housemates that I had to make another late night journey to the ICU at the Trauma Center, only this time it was I who drove to Rachel's side as she had done to mine July 12th. And too, "not life threatening" made this journey less frightening than that one. "What can I do to help" asked Julian's Uncle Madhu and Aunt Rebecca? "Call Latha to find out what we're dealing with" I replied. They did, and shortly later came back to me that first of all we can live without a spleen, however as an important center for immune function, spleen damage can make a body more susceptible to bacteria. Ok, we can deal with that. My Cherokee brother David returned my call informing me that if Julian's spleen should need to be removed in the event it doesn't stop bleeding, only the damaged part of the spleen would be removed, and that over time the remaining part would grow, and would still function. Ok, we can live with that.
Arriving at the trauma center in Neptune, NJ at 10:10 PM I was greeted at an entrance by a security guard who very quickly reminded me "you're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy". 1st prize one week in Neptune, second prize two weeks. After a quick mental adjustment I found my way to the emergency entrance, past the security desk to wander down guerney lined halls filled with a diversity of people requiring assistance, until finally locating the proper elevators ascended to the PICU. There I found Julian, hooked to an IV and monitors as his doctor made adjustments and a worried Mama perched uncomfortably in a convertible chair/bed. "Julian was in some pain, perhaps at that moment more from realizing his weekend trip to Georgia for a Bulldogs football game with his Grandpa Steve was cancelled now, or from realizing that he'd have to spend the remainder of 2007 in quiet repose.
This morning Rachel reported that his blood count didn't change during the night, which is a good sign that the bleeding is abating itself. He'll be monitored for two more days, and then, hopefully he'll be discharged.
Please y'all... no more ICU training for this ole gal, I've had quite enough thank you. I'll be back up to VT on Friday for a discharge meeting and then to walk arm in arm with my son out the door of Fanny Allen! Wow, what a concept! Awesome. With great gratitude to all who've supported us, my Love.
biggs mama
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