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May 14, 2012, 6:23 a.m.
5/14/2012
By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com
Some of you may have noticed that Friday's news was slightly delayed in getting posted, which I take full responsibility for and would like to apologize. The reason for this delay was an important life lesson that I was being taught during that time.
Long story short, I grew up racing motocross and had high hopes and dreams of making pro. From the time I was 5 years old all I ever did was ride dirtbikes. In 2006, at the age of 18, I was racing the 250 & 450 Intermediate classes with hopes of riding the Expert/Pro class for 2007. While attending a local race I was involved in a mid-air crash which ended up shattering my T5/T6 vertebrae, collapsed both lungs, and left me paralyzed from the chest down.
That sounds like a terrible situation to many, however, I couldn't be more thankful for all of the opportunites, experiences, friends, and family it has brought into my life. I wouldn't change that day for anything.
Since that time I began racing R/C full-time while still spending time with my moto buddies hanging out at the track, enjoying some concession stand hotdogs, and announcing races.
Back in January I fell asleep one night, had a dream I was riding again, and had so much fun in the dream that I woke up the next day and bought a bike. We put together a special bike which offers a "cage" around my legs, a go-kart seat and seatbelt to hold me on, and hand operated rear brake, clutch, and shifter. My intention was to get this bike together and ride around the field enjoying a Sunday cruise.
Once I got on the bike, I realized that was all out the window, and I wanted to race again. While I am riding extremely slow, the racing adrenaline was too much not to try it again. In an effort to pick up the pace and not be a total road block on the racetrack I have been trying to get a little braver by jumping a little more, cornering a little faster, and so on.
(Back on the bike - March 2012)
Thursday evening I was out riding with good buddy, Jared Tebo, and trying to build up to hit some jumps that he effortlessly floated over. I managed to conquer several of the major jumps with only one left to try. As I rolled up to it, blipped the throttle and took off, I instantly realized that this was going to hurt.
After coming up short on the double, getting a little "huck-a-buck", followed by a swap out faceplant, Jared picked me up and we assessed the damage. Despite the fact my legs pretzeled every which way, they were completely fine, however, I ended up breaking one rib, bruising the surrounding ribs, and bruising my left lung.
Doctor's felt it best to keep me in the hospital for "observation" over the weekend. While in the hospital I had plenty of time to think about R/C, and I have come to the conclusion of this life lesson:
Remote control car racing will hurt your wallet, will hurt your feet when turn marshalling, and will hurt your head with frustration...but overall R/C racing is safe racing!
Many have asked me if I will ride again. The answer is yes. The reason is I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. In my opinion life is an amazing thing that is meant to be lived with a smile, with friends, family, and doing what you love. Unfortunately many people may live to be 100 years old, but have lived a life full of stress, worry, and never taking the opportunity to do what truly makes them happy.
You are probably asking yourself, "If everything happens for a reason, why did you crash and get hurt this time?" Turns out as doctors did a full scan looking for injuries they discovered a form of pneumonia and infection in my lungs which can potentially be life-threatening. I would have never known about the infection, since I cannot feel below my chest line, and would have only discovered it as it became severe enough to possibly take my life.
Was it worth doing what I love, breaking a rib, and believing everything happens for a reason to discover and eliminate an internal infection and pneumonia? Absolutely.
Life is short...live it with smile.
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