On October 8th, 2017 I fell off a ladder while doing bat work. I didn't fall so much as the chimney I was working to exclude decide to crumble in my hands as I leaned to the right to look at the right side. The left hand corner came off in my hand, and as I felt myself falling I clawed for the right and pulled the right hand side of the chimney off as well. I fell about 25 feet (I was on my 32 foot ladder), hit my right leg on the edge of the roof, making it pop through my pelvis then bounced on the ground (thankfully the ground was soft from the rain the night before).

Won't bore you with ambulance ride the local ER then another long ride to Des Moines hospital. I ended up with a shattered pelvis (broken acetabulum), broken femur and 3 fractured vertebra in my lower back. Was out of work for 6 months and unable to put weight on it for 3. Came to find out that my right foot went numb while I was in the 1st ER (it worked fine when I landed, because I made sure both feet and toes worked). But the feeling and muscle control never came back,

Did PT but the right leg below the knee just does not work, and only partial feeling. Somehow I managed to crush my sacral nerve plexus and that is what is/was causing the paralysis. Went to 4 Dr's including MAYO, but same report, SOL - Likely to never gain full use of leg or get full feeling in it.

I now walk with a cane and very slowly at that and tire easily. My back still hurt a great deal at time, my hip is FINE, and my foot has lots of nerve pain.


(Side note - I had a stroke on November 17th last year as well. They got me in and hit mw with TPA, and within 12 hours I was right as rain. Still in the hospital ICU for 3 days. Yet another close call, but saved by the grace of God once again.)

Now before you think this is a poor me thread I want to say a few things. I am very very happy to be alive first. The ambulance crew was shocked when they arrived and I was lucid and conscious. Most don't come out of a fall from that height onto hard object as well as I did. I may be partially paralyzed but its 1/2 of 1 leg! Not from the waist down, or the neck down. I am alive and well, I can think and breathe, and move albeit more slowly. I think of myself as handicapable. I may not ever trap water again because my foot wont slide into hip boots but I can still land trap and plan to this season. Also my Dad has called me EVERY day since its happened and it has really helped to get our relationship into a great spot that is has not been in since I was a child.

I just wanted y'all to know I am still here, I can still go, and I will, just more slowly!

God Bless - Mike

Slow catches up to all of us after a while it just takes longer for some, just glad your still around as the alternative is not any better for you! Hang in there and keep moving.

Very Glad you Made it through all that...I've survived a Bad stroke and now do all I did before- just much slower and for shorter periods before rest. Take care, I'll be keeping you in my prayers.

hate hearing all that. had noticed you were not posting much. thought maybe you were still grieving to hard. any chance a brace can help you walk?

Sorry you have had to go through all of that. Life is sometimes real tough.

Mac

Danny I can walk and have a brace for my ankle and calf just have to use a cane. Walking in the woods or long grass is very difficult though, as is trying to go up any type of slope. I'll figure it out, I'm to tough or stupid to quit LOL

Thanks for you kinds thought fellas

Glad to hear you overcame that unfortunate accident.It could have been much worse as you said.Sounds like you will fare well.You have a great outlook,God Bless.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, hang in there Mike, I think you have the right attitude.

Your attitude should be an inspiration to all.


WS

Trapping is one of the best therapy's you could have. Hang in there. You maybe down but you are not out!!

Keep on man, DIG!

Sad to hear that and I wish all the best. It is easy for me to say this, but it could of been a lot worse. Reading your story made me cringe.

I have been through the fractured pelvis (acetabula) part but was extremely fortunate that nothing else was damaged. Kept me off my leg for 3 months but no lasting problem.

You have the right attitude....keep moving and make the best of the hand you have been dealt!

great to hear you doing good like you many of us have had problem , but a person doesn't have too look far to see some one worst off than are self ,keep the positive attuite ,it really help

Keep on fighting and trapping .

I was out helping my Girlfriends son (my new tech) finish up a big bat job today

We're going to prep traps and snares next weekend. I plan to teach him fur trapping this fall!

Have been asked by 4 Dr's when I went on disability?

"Disability? (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman), I work two jobs!"

Keep on keeping on!

Mike

Mike, you have a great outlook. I have nerve damage in one leg due to back issues. I also work 2 jobs and trap, hunt and fish. Just maybe not at the pace I did at at one time. You will figure out ways of getting things done. I had a nephew in a wheelchair at 20 due to MS. My problems aren't so bad, could be worse. Good luck to you and keep up the fight.

Trappers are not the type to give up; we'll always seek new options. Happy to hear you see the glass as "half full".

On the subject of ladders; I just took my dad's ladder yesterday. He fell off it this week, got banged up a little, no hospitalization thank goodness. He's 94.

Taking a fall at 94, you just don't bounce like when you were 40.

Even at 71, I take precautions.

Mike every year spiking the landing gets harder.. healing takes longer. Glad your still up right and going. I can't get in no a-- kicking contest myself any more myself don't have the balance for it. Still up right and moving thought just not as fast.
Take care...

Mac