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On Oct. 20th I was packing for a trip to Tennesse. I run a singles social group and co-organized an event for just under 50 people from VA,NC,SC, FL to get together for a weekend in the mountains. My co-organizer couldn't make it because the DOD told her she had to be some where on Monday morning, which required me to get and carry all the food.
So, I had pack 4 full ice coolers, 1 1/2 size cooler, a big boombox, and dry goods into the Liberty. I had two riders with me and all of our stuff would be going onto the roof. Before the OBX trip a couple weeks before, I bought a softsided roof carrier for loading stuff into. Having put my sleeping bag and backpack on top, I started to load my passengers things. I was standing on the rear tire, with all the other stuff loaded on the inside, the space between the tired and the wheel well was barely big enough to stick my foot in. I usually don't stand on the tire unless I am wearing boots or shoes with good grip. This time I had been wearing new tennis shoes and the tire was a little wet from an early morning rain. As I reached to grab another bag to put into the top and place it in the middle of the roof, my foot slipped off of the tire. Falling down towards the ground, the momentum of my 200 pound body was slowed when my chin hit the Renegade tupperware on the top of the Liberty. My neck bent back and I heard a bunch of cracking noises. I did manage to land on my feet. At which point I nelt down on the ground and began trying to regain my composure. My two companions were in shock and didn't know what to do. After 10 minuts or so, I managed to get up and agree to go to the hospital, because in my mind, I was still thinking about making the 6+ hour trip. Even while I was in the ER room, I was calling people to get things organized since I would not be able to attend.
A little more background now. Any of you who have met me know that I seem a little stiff. I have back issues that can be summed up by saying that my spine is mostly fused together. I take medicine to keep the pain away and prevent any further problems. Because of this fusing, the force of my neck bending back was pushed down each vertebrae until the 7th one (near my collar) broke. It is a vertical break and did not move, so no surgery was needed. I am now wearing a soft collar to hold my neck still and will be wearing it 24/7 for a couple of months. Needless to say, I was very lucky with the break.
As far as I can see, the Liberty is okay. Of course, she's probably wondering why I haven't driven her in over a week and won't be able to for another couple of months.
Lesson of the story, always use the step ladder to load the top of the Jeep.
_________________ O||||||O '04 Renegade L.O.S.T. #DL050292 - Life TimeCarolina L.O.S.T. Board of Directors *** Stuff *** CRS-Rock Rails * Rusty's Lift * *MTR's * Husky Mats * The 'Grill' and Shelf FRS/CB (ch 6)
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Yikes! Hope you get well soon and get back to your KJ before "she" finds someone else to wheel with. 
Hope everything heals good and you do not have any long term problems.. 
But at least you've got the meds to keep the pain at bay. Take care and get back on the trail soon!
