Saturday, March 21, 2009

Conrad's Accident


Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee... For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Hello once again,

Most of you know about the accident Conrad had a few weeks ago, which was quite an experience - more because of what could have happened than because of what did happen. Really, though, because God ordained it, nothing else could have happened. The doctor said that he has never seen someone who has had a snowmobile accident involving a fence escape with as few injuries as Conrad did; usually it is much worse. It was a learning experience, and our family has a lot to be thankful for!

Despite all the excitement and uncertainty, I did get some photos from the accident (hey, I had my camera there, and even though I was worried, I automatically took pictures - it actually helped to have something to do). The rest are of the aftermath and Conrad's recovery.

Before we go on though, I need to announce the winner from the very popular contest I hosted last time. Isaac was the only contestant and I almost had to disqualify him because he had some exclusive information that helped him figure out exactly which eight pictures were mine. :-) Good work, Isaac! Looking at the file names was a very clever way to figure it out.
The evening started out with a good deal of excitement; it ended with much more.
We had an incredible time while it lasted! According to Dad, the headlights kept going around the field faster... then faster...

Conrad sets out on a never-to-be-forgotten ride. Actually, parts of it he cannot even remember.



This was my first sight of Conrad after the accident. By this time he was conscious, though immediately after the crash, he had been stumbling about not knowing what was going on.

"Get a stretcher over here!"


It was around 17 degrees that night. Not fun to be lying still on snow-covered ground!




This was our family's first experience with the ambulance. Derrick said, "You're going to want to get pictures of this!" It would be fine with me if I never get the opportunity again.


Beginning to cut his jacket off. Conrad said he asked them not to, but it is trauma routine apparently.
Around this time, Mom climbed in to talk to him. He said, "Mom, don't baby me." We all felt better after that. :-)


The poor police woman who had to come out and who, by her own admission, knew "nothing about snowmobiles."


Thankfully, Paul does.


Lying just where it landed.

The rehash, the unwinding. It helps to talk it all out.


Derrick (an EMT), who didn't get a chance to ride, explains that he was "here for such a time as this." :-) He saw the accident and was the first person to get to Conrad.
(Thanks, Derrick, for all your help!)


Nancy can tell some pretty exciting, cover-your-mouth stories. ;-)


The one and only Kalie Weaver.


Derrick to Sarah: "The 'sweetness' [Derrick, Jr.] was stabbing Mervin, and his sister was just standing there taking pictures!"
Examining the accident scene in broad daylight.


The electric fence that Conrad went through.


Providentially, a few weeks previous, a vehicle had slid into this fence, loosening and flattening many of the wires of the section that Conrad ran into.

I wasn't at the hospital during the short time Conrad was there, but thanks to Dad's cell phone, we get to see Conrad in the intensive care unit.


Being wheeled to the hospital exit in a wheelchair, which he was not even allowed to man, was tough on his pride. :-)
It was the first thing he wanted to see when he got home.

Thanking the One who was in control of the whole event.


"Just think if it wouldn't have been for this helmet..."

"Citizens, this is officer Martin here telling you to wear your helmet!"


Soberness
This accident gave us all much to think about.


His eye went through almost every imaginable shade. Green was the most ghastly one.


He had a story to beat all stories that week, and there were plenty of people who wanted to hear it.


Life has to go on as normal. (I'm not implying that the umbrella is normal. Don't ask - I really don't know "why?")

Everything was going fine until... this arrived.



It got a lot of attention, but really was nothing of importance (just a copy of the police records).




This picture best illustrates why we called Conrad "Cyclops" for several days.



Even though his eye isn't totally healed, his sense of humor is back!


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Thank you, all of you that kept Conrad in your prayers.


God Bless,
~Carmen~