I am not sure if this has been shared on the thread or not before. It obviously made the news at the time, and maybe was talked about in here.
This was sent out from the Director of the Texoma HOG group today, and it involves his personal aspect of the family member involved in the incedent. This is part of the e-mail he sent out this morning, He has given me permission to post it.
Good Morning,
We think about all the things we can control when we're riding. Our speed, direction of travel and a number of other
things come to mind. What about the things we can't control? The weather, traffic, road conditions and even more
things come to mind. Then there are things that we don't even consider, not even in our worst nightmares.
My Aunt Betty, now in her 70's, rides her Harley trike somewhere every day, weather permitting. Considering she lives
in Salt Lake City the winters are tough but she still manages to ride almost every day.
The following paragraph is taken from a family letter she mailed to all of us last month. We knew of her circumstances at the time they took place but I thought I would share her experience with everyone. We have all been in her shoes, riding somewhere and pulling off the road for a cup of coffee.
"In August, 2011, I was planning my first solo motorcycle trip to California. It was a great ride over and I left September 6th to ride back home. All was well until I came through Carson City, Nevada. As it turned out I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I stopped at an IHOP to get a cup of coffee. There was a gunman present who proceeded to shoot the place up killing and wounding many of the patrons inside. I ran to the parking lot to leave and started putting on my helmet. I did not realizing he had followed me out. He then started shooting up the parking lot, hitting my bike several times and then hitting me.
I had been shot in the head. Lying on the ground I could hear the sirens coming. There was a deputy sheriff standing over me, talking to me. I don't remember the life-flight out but I was flown to a nearby hospital in Reno where I had emergency surgery on my head. A miracle happened that day, I survived.
After about a month in the hospital San and I took Amtrak to Salt Lake City where I checked into the Intermountain Medical Center. I was only there for five days because I was making such great progress in physical therapy. After checking out I've had several weeks of physical therapy and counseling for the trauma. I feel very blessed to be here and alive. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I believe in prayer and I know that's what brought me this far. Thank you all."
Aunt Betty hopefully had her last surgery two weeks ago. They installed a custom made plate in her head to keep everything together. She's still not driving or riding but it won't be long until she's back on her bike.
The doctors say the motorcycle helmet she was wearing probably saved her life. Not only did it somewhat soften and redirect the bullet but it held her skull in place long enough to keep her alive. Way to go helmet! I know all of you remember from all the news coverage of the event that a lady motorcycle rider was shot in the parking lot. Now you know who she was and yes, she was riding a Harley.
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Topic: Helmets Save Lives - Even when at a pit stop! (Read 2222 times)