Muenkel 0 #1 August 16, 2006 In one split second, I was a breath away from death. A simple thing like walking down the stairs changed my life forever. For those that don't know, I simply slipped on my staircase, plummeting down the full flight, striking my head on a stone floor. At that moment, I felt the most excrutiating pain of my life, like a lightning bolt going from my head, down my spine and out my feet. Next moment I was above myself looking down at my dead body. The hospital treated me for a concussion. I thought I was fine within a few days. I even went to Nashville 5 days after to spend a long weekend with Michele and Micro. Twelve days later (on my birthday) the lights went out. I could no longer speak clearly. My vision went from 20/20 to 20/90. I could not walk without holding onto something because up was not up and down was not down. I couldn't remember things 5 minutes after they happened. My nephew was born on September 7th and I have no recollection of it. I could no longer work and to this day, I don't have the green light to return to work. In the past 3 years I have been in an ambulance 12 times due to severe pain and loss of consciousness. Just last month I spent a couple days in the ICU for observation. But a lot of good came from this experience. I learned that I am a lot stronger than I ever thought. I learned patience which was seriously needed. I learned that I can endure excrutiating pain. Most importantly, I became a more compassionate person. I am so much more aware of others who are suffering and I realize that I am damned lucky. No matter how badly you hurt, there is always someone who is hurting more. I learned that self-pity is a disease that will rot you from the core. I learned that life is really prescious and will probably be taken from me when I least expect it. To my friends, be happy, be healthy and be safe, Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #2 August 16, 2006 QuoteBut a lot of good came from this experience. I learned that I am a lot stronger than I ever thought. I learned patience which was seriously needed. I learned that I can endure excrutiating pain. Most importantly, I became a more compassionate person. I am so much more aware of others who are suffering and I realize that I am damned lucky. No matter how badly you hurt, there is always someone who is hurting more. I learned that self-pity is a disease that will rot you from the core. I learned that life is really prescious and will probably be taken from me when I least expect it. I am so proud of you, my friend. You've come a long, long way, learned ever so much, and have, in my mind, grown oodles from this experience. It is so nice to see who you've grown into, and make it through the obstacle placed in your way, and through the rough and the hard part. You're pretty cool, Chris. And I'm proud to call you friend. Hugs- Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #3 August 16, 2006 Hang in there Chris.... life is what you make it.. even after one of those standing over yourself looking down events.. You are a good man... you deserve happiness in your life... and hang in there and live... all these days have been added for you. In the long run.. I think you have learned some valuble lessons.. and I think you have inspired more than one person here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunshine 2 #4 August 16, 2006 Hi Chris. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydiveStMarys 0 #5 August 16, 2006 I am sorry to hear what happened to you. I always wondered but never wanted to pry. I am glad to hear that your days are getting brighter. Keep up the fight. P.S. Your cute.BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wmw999 2,587 #6 August 16, 2006 Keep on truckin'. You're the same Chris, just as you were when you were really scared after a fall awhile ago. And that's why we like you. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PRSKY71 0 #7 August 16, 2006 Although I don't know you, you seem (from your posts) like someone who is kind and has a great heart!!! Glad to hear you have such a great perspective on life and that you appreciate the pure gift that it is!! Good luck to you and good vibes coming your way!! Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process. -- Phillips Brooks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PrairieDoug 0 #8 August 16, 2006 Chris -- I have a lot of respect for how you're handling this and I'm sure that, if we ever met, I'd really enjoy your company. Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumpjunkie2004 0 #9 August 16, 2006 Thanks for sharing this story with us! You are inspiring : )Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Muenkel 0 #10 August 17, 2006 Thanks folks for your encouraging, thoughtful and friendly words. You give me more credit than I deserve, but I do appreciate it.Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skybytch 273 #11 August 17, 2006 QuoteYou give me more credit than I deserve Well, in that case, STFU, ya freakin' whiner. Sorry. I'm in a mood tonight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Muenkel 0 #12 August 17, 2006 I spit on your mood. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Icon134 0 #13 August 17, 2006 good story chris... I'm glad you're my bud... edit your --> you'reLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest 1010 #14 August 17, 2006 Chris, you are one of the good guys. You have all the respect in the world from me. Keep up the fight. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #15 August 17, 2006 Chris, although you're always causing trouble, trying to get everyone to join NAMBLA just because you like the way it sounds and always fighting for equal rights of albino pets doesnt mean you are a total freak. ( i would post links to these postsbut I guess HH removed those titles.) Have they ever figured out what is causing your problem? sounds like a mini stroke. and since I stayed in a holiday inn, I think you know I am smart enough to make that analysis. either way, you're a good guy, Chris. strong character but you need to research someof those posts you made. for those who don't know Chris is a total trouble maker. hahah and I am usually bullshitting My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RkyMtnHigh 0 #16 August 17, 2006 What a beautiful Gift of God that you are still here in our lives...I feel truly blessed _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #17 August 17, 2006 wow you made my post seem insensitive. My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Muenkel 0 #18 August 17, 2006 There was this time when I was visiting Micro. I left the computer with my username logged in. Must have been him. He's very, very weird. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #19 August 17, 2006 that doesnt sound like micro at all. he's an excellent example of self restraint and higness. trying to deflour his honorable reputation just shows the true you.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Muenkel 0 #20 August 17, 2006 Quotethat doesnt sound like micro at all. he's an excellent example of self restraint and higness. trying to deflour his honorable reputation just shows the true you. He was going by the name of sinker at the time. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #21 August 17, 2006 THAT SON OF A BITCHMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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sunshine 2 #4 August 16, 2006 Hi Chris. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #5 August 16, 2006 I am sorry to hear what happened to you. I always wondered but never wanted to pry. I am glad to hear that your days are getting brighter. Keep up the fight. P.S. Your cute.BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,587 #6 August 16, 2006 Keep on truckin'. You're the same Chris, just as you were when you were really scared after a fall awhile ago. And that's why we like you. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRSKY71 0 #7 August 16, 2006 Although I don't know you, you seem (from your posts) like someone who is kind and has a great heart!!! Glad to hear you have such a great perspective on life and that you appreciate the pure gift that it is!! Good luck to you and good vibes coming your way!! Character cannot be made except by a steady, long continued process. -- Phillips Brooks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrairieDoug 0 #8 August 16, 2006 Chris -- I have a lot of respect for how you're handling this and I'm sure that, if we ever met, I'd really enjoy your company. Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #9 August 16, 2006 Thanks for sharing this story with us! You are inspiring : )Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #10 August 17, 2006 Thanks folks for your encouraging, thoughtful and friendly words. You give me more credit than I deserve, but I do appreciate it.Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 August 17, 2006 QuoteYou give me more credit than I deserve Well, in that case, STFU, ya freakin' whiner. Sorry. I'm in a mood tonight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #12 August 17, 2006 I spit on your mood. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #13 August 17, 2006 good story chris... I'm glad you're my bud... edit your --> you'reLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 1010 #14 August 17, 2006 Chris, you are one of the good guys. You have all the respect in the world from me. Keep up the fight. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #15 August 17, 2006 Chris, although you're always causing trouble, trying to get everyone to join NAMBLA just because you like the way it sounds and always fighting for equal rights of albino pets doesnt mean you are a total freak. ( i would post links to these postsbut I guess HH removed those titles.) Have they ever figured out what is causing your problem? sounds like a mini stroke. and since I stayed in a holiday inn, I think you know I am smart enough to make that analysis. either way, you're a good guy, Chris. strong character but you need to research someof those posts you made. for those who don't know Chris is a total trouble maker. hahah and I am usually bullshitting My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #16 August 17, 2006 What a beautiful Gift of God that you are still here in our lives...I feel truly blessed _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #17 August 17, 2006 wow you made my post seem insensitive. My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #18 August 17, 2006 There was this time when I was visiting Micro. I left the computer with my username logged in. Must have been him. He's very, very weird. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #19 August 17, 2006 that doesnt sound like micro at all. he's an excellent example of self restraint and higness. trying to deflour his honorable reputation just shows the true you.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #20 August 17, 2006 Quotethat doesnt sound like micro at all. he's an excellent example of self restraint and higness. trying to deflour his honorable reputation just shows the true you. He was going by the name of sinker at the time. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #21 August 17, 2006 THAT SON OF A BITCHMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites