| Author | Message | ||
     Buckinfubba |
Member # 4 Member Rated: posted March 09, 2004 10:08 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well this is very hard for me right now but I will do my best.Our friend Ted had a get off that is very serious. His injurys are broken shoulder , both lungs deflated, broken ribs, and broken back, which has led to paralyisis from the waist down. yesterday we had some good news that he said he felt the nurse touching his leg, I talked with scott last night and we are both hoping that this is not a phatom feeling. The doctors have been very up front with ted and he knows the shape he is in. at 2am monday morning the doctor got out of surgery on teds back and filled his family and and those of us that were there, This included Ted's new neighbor Terry and Karen may, teds roomate melissa, Joe willoughby, me. The doctor said we wouldn't know for sure for 24 to 48 hrs because of spinal cord shock. But he was also honest with us that it looked grim for recovery from this but never say never. They let us in to see him at about 3:30 in the morning finally to see him. He was our usual Ted and in good spirits even in the situation he is. yesterday I was happy to hear that he was finally starting to get angry and giving the nurse crap and stuff. The reason I say this is because if he wasn't showing any anger in this situation it wouldn't be normal. I did not get to see him yesterday because when I made it back up to TN he was finally sleeping and getting some rest. So I spoke with his family and Tried to do my best in comforting them. A friend of mine that I ride with alot that lives in Kingsport ,TN which is where the hospital is showed up out of the blue which surprised me. come to find out that he met ted early last year down at the gap. He saw the post on the charlotte section of cycleforums.com that Golin (greg) put up and when he saw teds last name he remmebered ted jusat because how can you forget that gloriuosly last name that none of us can spell very well. he was offering up his home and few other riders that live up there also for teds family and to offer any assistance that they would need. Since they are so far from home, God I love the motorcycle community. Anyway I will be in touch with them today and keep everybody updated. The hospital is about 200 miles away from where I am at and I had to come to work today. I have logged over a thousand miles since sunday afternoon and This has given me way too much time to think. 3 years ago I was spared and last year I went over the edge on the same road as ted but a few miles up and somehow nothing happened to me more than brusies. and I hit rocks and trees also and this is killing me. I think its payback time for bubba and maybe I have finally got the reason as to why I was spared. Me and Ted became close in this last year even tho personality wise we are so damn different, I am a big fat loud mouth that flys off the handle at the drop of a dime, and ted is a calm deep thinker who takes his time to get things done right. anyways I will be there. heres what the day was like, know that he was on top off the world and smiling and doing what he loves. the ride consisted of about 8 buells and 1 kawi and 1 suzuki, which we comment is usually the otherway around, its usually a few buells and then every other bike. anyways we met at the bottom of 181 at the gas station at brown mtn beech rd. the people were Ted, terry, me, joe, rocky,will,derek,drew and his girlfriend riding 2 up, and mike. this spot is inbetween statesville and old fort which is where ted and terry live . its about 20 east of asheville. well we shot the stuff for a while, I ask ted how charlotte was, he was there allweek on business, he said "man I don't ever wanna go back I just don't like big citys". well me and him laughed and I said "how in the hell did 2 city boy yankees end up living down here in the hills and loving it", we bothed just laughed and ted said "i guess were just lucky". so we all mount up and head off up the hill, now ted had never been on 181 but I had told him alot about. well needless to say ted got around the young guy on nthe suzuki who was new to riding and was taking his time. I looked in my mirror and saw ted behind me. Everyonce in a while coming out of one of the curves I'd catch a glimpse of ol tedley(thats what I always call him, and I have know Idea why)in my mirror and we were both riding pretty good, not too damn fast but spirited.The sun was shining and the road was clear not much traffic and we were just making our way up the mountain having a good ol time. well we get up to the top of the mtn and stop at the country store to get gas and rest a bit. Pretty much on a sunday this parking lot fills up with bikes stopping to gas up and take a rest. we get gassed up and are just hangin out and stuff. I say "hey tedley was a right or what, what do ya think of that lil run" man the smile on his face at moment now in perspective is gonna live with me forever, he said "oh yeah, thats was great, smooth and all different types of corners, thats what its about". about 15 mins later we all mounted up and headed north on 181 for 221 heading north to blowing rock. Now before we left the country store I told ted, this next road is real tight like the ones over by your house and down at the gap. So we won't be at the pace we just were but hell its more fun then where we just were. I also said" remember my little get off last year you know the rock,tree sky, hillbilly at the bottom of the hill coming to my rescue" he said yeah "well this is that road so stay cool and don't let it bite you. Ted said I'll be fine it sounds like fun. well we were riding up and once again ted was in my mirror righ behind me, we got stuck behind some cars for a while until as usual they pulled off at granfather mountain and then the road was clear. well all is well and about 2 miles north of grandfather mountain, I noticed a quick flash in my mirror but I thought it was just the sunlight flashing of teds bike. Now you have to understand this road it is quite tight and it runs along a ridge and is a road carves on the side of the mountain thru the trees. At the time I was concetrating on the road so much it didn't dawn on me. well after a few more curves I look in my mirror and I don't see ted, well I am figuring that he just slowed up alittle bit and is probably just a curve or so behind me.after about a mile I slow up a little to let ted and joe catch up. I give them ample time and they don't show. so I pull off and wait 1 min if they aren't here I am going back. Thats when I have a premonition and see that flash in my mirror again in my head. Oh shit now it hits me, that flash was the sun hitting hi mirror, which would mean since he was behind me that mirror was facing the wrong way. I pull out and start heading south hoping upon hopes that I see them coming towards me. nothing, Finally I come around a curve and I see the bikes parked and thank god the rescue team is there already , at this stage I don't know its ted but I have a bad feeling, then I see all the bikes parked and None are teds. I pull up and and get my helmet off and joe just lookes at me with this look that says it all. Joe was the first one to ted, and luckily because from the road you couldn't see him or his bike. but joe knew ted was behind me and when joe rounded the next corner he saw me going into the next one up ahead and it went in his head, wait wheres ted, he glance to his right and saw teds bike. Joe says that when he got down to ted, ted was having a real hard time breathing and already ted had taken his helmet off. Joe said he told ted not to move and was holding his hand and in between gasp ted said" joe just don't let me die" joe said he said " ted you ain't gonna die, your gonna ride another day" and ted said "I don't think so, I can't feel my legs". By then Derek had caught up and stopped, Thank god for 2 things derek is in the medical profeesion and used to be paramedic, and somehow his cell phone got reception up in the mountain and he called rescue units. we help the resue guys get ted up the hill once they had him secured on a back board. It took about 7 guys and a rope to get him up.when the were putting him in the ambulance his eyes were closed and this scared me, so I leaned in and said "ted are ya there" and he opened his eyes and looked at me and the that instance the look in his eyes just scared the shit out of me, well he raised his hand up and I grabbed it and I said" I ain't going nowhere man I will be here with you". well me and joes hightailed it back to statesville which was 2 hrs away to get my truck and head all the way back to TN which was 3 hrs back the same way. Joe said That down the hill ted made him promise to be at the hospital, so atleast I had a partner to ride with me and keep my mind staright. The rest I have already told you from that point on. The only reason I tell you this from my prespective and in such detail, is because I am going to remember this forever and I also thought you all wanted to know since some of you here are personal friends with ted. plus I want this to hopefully be a reminder of how precious the life we have is and how it can change drastically at an instance. Don't let what has happened to ted be in vain. Ride careful and ride smart. I will start a thread on the fund that we are starting for ted. I will keep you all updated as I know. I called earlier this morning and everybody was in with ted and not in the waiting room so I don't know yet this morning. I will keep you intouch. Brian Tilley hd/buell | ||
| M1combat |
/praying on. Hang in there Bubba. | ||
| Bads1 |
Bubba let me know if theres anything we can do. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Bubba...Sorry to learn of your friends accident. He is lucky to have a friend like you. You all are in my prayers. God Bless | ||
| Cj_xb |
In my prayers as well, hang in there Bubba !! CJ | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Brian, If I can help just leave me a message and you know I'll do what I can. I've got Ted on our prayer list. Greg | ||
| Buckinfubba |
thanks everyone you can send him well wishes at tedsdreamcatcher@hotmail.com our friend jeff who lives in kingsport ,TN will print them out and take them to ted. don't say anything about the fund I have started for him because he doesn't know. He would say not to help but he has no choice in this. we will help edited by buckinfubba on March 09, 2004 edited by buckinfubba on March 09, 2004 | ||
| Xb9er |
Brian, Ted is lucky to have friends like you and your riding buddies. It's great to hear that quick thinking and cool heads helped save his life. We wish Ted and his family and friends well during such a difficult time. Get well soon Ted. Mike. | ||
| Blake |
Thank you for sharing that very sad report. I'm praying for Ted's full recovery. | ||
| Drheathenscum |
I'll send some good mojo his way. Glad to hear he has good friends... that helps a lot. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
I finally got a hold of teds mom. heres the update. they have removed the neck brace so all is well there. and tomorrow they will take the tubes out of his lungs. so that is good news meaning that he is breathing well and the risk of infection is going down. his spirits are coming up, so as his mom says he is acting more like ted again. still no feeling below his waist. I told here of the emails and good wishes coming in and she is very happy. but very surprised. She didn't understand the motorcycle community but she is begining to understand are ways. thanks to everyone | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Brian....we'll be keeping you and your friend in our thoughts. Its tough to hear about a fellow rider going down hard. Sometimes I wonder why we ride these crazy machines. | ||
| Benm2 |
Sorry to hear about Ted's accident, and I hope he makes it through with the best possible outcome. | ||
| Smitty |
Prayers here also. Thanks Brian. Thanks for keeping us informed. Tim | ||
| Darthane |
Sorry to hear that, Bubba. Ted's in my prayers. Keep us posted. Bryan | ||
| Crusty |
It really sucks when someone you know gets hurt. I'm praying for Ted, and I hope he recovers in spite of the odds. | ||
| Andys |
Had trouble with the e-mail address. Is it me? | ||
| Andys |
Never mind...found the difference in the other thread. | ||
| Dynarider |
Never met Ted personally but I have talked with him on the phone as well as quite a bit of emailing. He invited me to stay at his place during the Brag event in september. Very giving person & this totally sucks. I hope & pray the paralysis is just a temporary thing & he makes a full recovery. | ||
| Catabler |
Hate to hear it! Get well soon TED. Chad from IN | ||
| Spike |
This is terrible news. I met Ted through work, he was one of our few Buell customers. He was the first person I knew of that could drag the pegs on an XB. Brian, Please tell Ted we're praying for a full recovery. Let me know when you get the fund set up and if you need anything give me a call. Mike L. '04 XB12R | ||
| Uncbuell |
Brian, let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I bought Ted's D&D when he upgraded to the Drummer. I wouldn't have been able to get that D&D onto my 9S without the help of Ted, his oven, his homemade 'buell-tools', and a bucket of ice. We wrestled with that thing for 6 hours on a beautiful sunday afternoon last fall, and I remember giving him the extra exhaust clamp from my stock can so he could get that Drummer on nice and tight. I imagine that same clamp was with him on this past Sunday. Ted is a good man and is in all of our prayers. Judd | ||
| Psychobueller |
Saying a prayer for Ted tonight. | ||
| Honu |
I will pray for Ted also. And you to Bubba, hang in there. | ||
| Xb9grl |
Bubba - Charlieboy and I are praying for Ted and all family & friends. Sorry to hear this sad news. Keep us posted on Ted's progress. | ||
| Timbo |
I'll be praying too Bubba, Hate to see this happen, but it does. Very sobering. Timbo | ||
| Lowlife |
I'll pray for everyone involved tonight. This fall I saw a friend get wrapped in the head with a forklift. The impact pinched a nerve, effectively paralyzing him temporarily. Thankfully, the feeling is returning to the extremities involved. From what I understand, the body does this kind of thing sometimes. Kinda like its own way of giving you the silent treatment. Lets hope this is the case with Ted. | ||
| Aesquire |
Best wishes for all, and watch the survival guilt. You don't need to beat yourself up. A good friend of mine got broken in half in a hit & run on his bicycle, spent years in a body cast, married his nurse & I'm losing track of the kids. The wildest part was the short term memory loss, where we held his hand as the Dr. scooped gravel out of his scalp and told him 30+ times that he'd been in a crash, and was going to be ok. We thought we might be lying, but it worked out in the end. The healing process in back breaks is slow. You'll get to know the nurses. I worked b shift at the time, so I'd go visit with the nurses till the pain meds wore off for the unit @ 2am. (the call buzzers wake up the whole floor at the same time) Then I'd hang with him till the meds kicked in, say bye to the nurses & go. edited by aesquire on March 09, 2004 | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
That sucks, and not in the good way...  I totalled my BuellieMae (X1) last September and laid myself up for a few weeks, but at least I'm mobile and back in the saddle again. Please God, let it be the same for Ted! HellBuelly J  | ||
| Bradj |
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