Broken Back

Skating Accident May 11 :: 1997

I was going really fast :: in a full tuck down that steep hill at the North End of the Park

when some idiot who didn't know how to skate flailed out in front of me

from some park path

Stupidly I tried to swerve to miss him 

but I was going too fast and ended up projecting myself into the air

landing on my lower back

CRUNCH

cracked lower vertebra 

an electric shock feeling then my feet started going numb

paramedics thankfully nearby put me on a spine board

I had no health insurance so I was yelling at them to just put me in a cab

they would not listen

at hospital they left me on that spine board out in the hall for hours groaning in pain

while some guy in a wheelchair next to me, also left for hours, took a shit

finally they gave me some pain killers

the doctors told me that my spinal cord was not compromised 

even tho I had cracked the bone

they told me that because I was in such good shape my tight muscles had held everything together

thank goodness for all of those crunches !!

still

it took months of wearing a brace

had to take a break from skating and from martial arts training

BUT

I did not miss the God Is My Co-Pilot European Tour !!

although everyone made fun of me for being in a punk band and sitting on a stool to play bass !!

at least I had the excuse to not have to schlep equipment

I am Very Lucky to Still Be Walking !!

Hey Kids!

Do Your Crunches

and

Stay Away from Idiots who Can't Skate !!