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Broke my neck on the Liberty
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13986		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  LoganSix [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Broke my neck on the Liberty
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.
Author:  JJsTJ [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:52 am ]
Post subject: 
:shock: Yikes! Hope you get well soon and get back to your KJ before "she" finds someone else to wheel with. :wink:
Author:  uvalax236 [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Dean, you have my number. Call me if you need anything.
Author:  hyedipin [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:27 am ]
Post subject: 
wow, glad you are OK. At least you didn't brake any tooth or cause any premenant jaw problems. good luck with recovery.
Author:  dog_party [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Sorry to hear about your mishap Dean! My brother works in Cary, so I have local connections. Let me know if you need anything.
Author:  nolakj [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Hang in there bud! Take it easy for a couple months and you'll be back in action.
Author:  brpn#1 [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Dean.. that is messed up.. hope your recovery goes ok.. back problems and neck problems are very hard to fully recover.. actually i dont think anyone fully recovers..
Author:  priell3 [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Get well soon.

I also stand on the tire load stuff in my roof basket.
Author:  Jeepjeepster [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
O gosh dude. So sorry to hear about this. I always stand on the tire to load things/wash the roof.. :( Hope everything heals good and you do not have any long term problems.. :wink:
Author:  corwyyn [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
That just plain inhales deeply :evil: But at least you've got the meds to keep the pain at bay. Take care and get back on the trail soon!
Author:  ShoreRenegade [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good God man! I'm glad to hear you are (relatively) alright. Wow, that is some frightening stuff. Take care of yourself.
Author:  FastTRX [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow...one of those freak accidents we never think about!! I've been trying to heal my collerbone that I broke in July that I've rebroke 3 times since the first time! It's really annoying because it never seems to be strong...I take calcium supplements twice a day and it still won't heal correctly. I race motocross if that has anything to do w/ it...dont think it does.. :P

Well hope you feel better and hope everything goes well.
Author:  FLJeep [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thats pretty insane. Hope you get to feeling better
Author:  raceinfan [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
wow :shock: that sucks,hope you heal up soon although it will take some time being your neck

I've been thinking about getting one of those folding tire steps so I can reach my basket after hearing this I will buy one,it'll be worth the $ 50 & I can keep it in the back at all times just incase
Author:  CaKJFreedom [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ouch. Big huge ouch that makes me hurt thinking about it. Glad to hear it was the "you can still walk" kind of break. Take care of yourself.
Author:  Talon 1 [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry to hear that Dean but glad you are still with us. Get better soon!
Author:  Cacher123 [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Man that sucks! At least you'll heal.
I pulled a similar move. Was standing on the rear wheel of a motorcycle in the shop trying to reach something on a shelf it was leaning against. I "thought" it was in gear and the wheel was on the ground. Nope. Wheel spun, I slipped and the shelf bracket went through my hand and ripped straight up so my pinkie was basically hanging off!
Author:  LoganSix [ Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all the comments guys.

Hopefully I'll be well enough to hit the trails in February for a snow run.
Right now, just riding in the passenger seat of my Jeep for errands makes me tired. Nothing like having to take a nap after riding in a car. Ugh.
Author:  Gramps [ Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Hope you feel better soon. I imagine all of us that have (or in my case-had) lifted Libbys stand on the rear door sill and the tire to load the rack or wash the roof.
Author:  Guyute1210 [ Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:10 am ]
Post subject: 
Sorry to hear about your accident dean, i hope you fell better soon!
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