Just to have a little decoration, I use this graphic from friend and LSA businessman Paul Hamilton who prepares training aids in DVD and print form for Sport Pilots. Thanks, Paul! (It’s a lot more pilot-friendly than some medical view of my spine).
Many visitors have now heard about the airplane crash I had just before Sun ‘n Fun where I broke my back, landing me in a West Palm Beach, Florida hospital since April 2nd. I’m happy to report that although I have two or three months of hard work ahead of me to regain my muscle use as it was, I still expect to regain most of my original capabilities. It may take a year to recover fully, but at least I have the chance for which I feel extremely grateful. I suffered a massive compression fracture (called a “starburst” fracture) of the T-12 vertebra that required, as the doctor put it, “major, invasive, and aggressive” surgery. But they feel they found all the bone parts and installed some titanium hardware to strengthen my back. It has been a difficult ordeal to be sure — especially so for my loving and faithful wife, Randee — but I had excellent medical care and the well wishes and prayers from hundreds of friends in the light aircraft industry that represents my enlarged family. I am extremely grateful for this outpouring of concern and the support it represents. I feel sure to continue my improvement and, of course, I will fly again (though it may be a few months before I can worm my way into the tighter cockpits). In the days ahead, I expect to add more SPLOGs about what happened. Bear with me as I get back up to speed…but THANKS for a continuing record number of website visits. That alone is highly gratifying.
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