Update June 2006

It is june 2006, I am still living and and playing on occcasion in the braininjury chat room, but my story needs updated.

I see that I talk about riding my new BMW a few years ago, but my new story is that in May of 2004 I become to unstable to ride the bike, I wasn't wrecking, but I did manage to fall down when coming to a stop. It sort of would remind you of that guy on "Laugh In" who would fall of of his tri/cycle all the time, that was me except not near as funny.

So I sold out and quit riding, in fear I was going to hurt myself or my machine.

I have severe leg drop on my left side, and that leg is now actually beginning to not work properly. It just doesn't hold me up proper and I walk funny and with a cane to remain stable on my feet. I have been diagnosed with a blowed out inner ear on my right side, probably due to the fall in October/99.

Hey but the answer is -- I am still walking and talking and can drive my car, (it doesn't fall over when I stop).

And I end this with my old saying from several years ago AINT LIFE GRAND, and I really do believe that.

God bless you all and keep reading and visiting the brain injury chat sight and talking to and building up everyone that comes there to talk.

Email Tom

Original Post

In October of 1999 I went out for a ride on my BMW gs motorcycle after work on Thursday evening the 21st.

I actually don't remember that, it's just what I'm told. I remember nothing after October 19th, because of complete memory loss from two days before the accident until sometime in early December.

I am told that I was found along side a country road, with my helmet off bleeding from my hears and nose, I am also told that I fought the paramedics so hard they had to call out an extra crew. Understand that I am 6"4" and 280 pounds, so it was quite a fight.

I am then told that I was life flighted to a Pittsburgh Hospital, did 3 weeks in the ICU with one little spell in the Phyc ward when I got abusive with my handlers.

I was then shipped to a rehab Hospital in Harmerville PA. and the first thing I remember is being locked in a bed that actually a cage, having to pee, and having to wait until someone came to let me out.

Here is a little side story which some may find interesting. Due to the fact that I live only a mile or two from the state line of PA. in WV. I had applied for a conceal carry permit so that I could carry a concealed weapon like I was licensed to do in WV. Just make it interesting my wife received here PA carry permit and I was refused due to --- being involuntarily committed to a Mental Institution. It seems that my visit to the Phyc ward in that hospital was considered being locked in a Mental institution, so I not only cannot carry a weapon in PA , I can't even buy one. Just to make that interesting when time comes for renewal of my WV carry permit I wont be able to renew, for the same reason as above.

AIN'T life grand.

Actually it is, I'm writing this story from my own house, I'm receiving a monthly check from a Long Term Disability insurance policy I had been paying on for 30 years, so even though I haven't worked since the accident , I am getting by.

So to make it interesting, I haven't worked since I was 49 years old, but I have purchased a new BMW motorcycle and have rode it 9,000 miles this summer.

So remember if you have the chance to buy one of those disability policies, do so, and maybe you also will be able to say, AIN'T LIFE GRAND.

Email Tom