Mark Glaser - 58 Feet: The Second That Changed Our Lives

58Feet

Mark and Robyn Glaser

Copyright 2013 by Mark and Robyn Glaser.

All rights reserved.

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1. Memoir, 2. Family, 3. Health & Fitness:Physical Impairments

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This book is dedicated to my family
who never lost hope,
provided support and inspiration,
even when I didnt know it was being applied.

N OBODY WAKES UP inthe morning and believes that their lives will change in someunexpected instant ... a tragic event. When a traumatic eventoccurs, every community has a hospital or medical treatmentavailable, but there is only one Craig.

Located in our backyard is a world-renowned,not-for-profit rehabilitation hospital called Craig Hospital, akaCraig. Since 1956 Craig has graduated more than 29,000 peoplefrom all 50 states and multiple countries world-wide. Because ofthe 91% success rate in returning patients to their homes, work orschool to live independent lives, Craig is ranked as a Top TenRehabilitation Hospital in the US.

Craig Hospital is a family of professionalsthat know how to care for people, support the families of theirpatients and help the injured Redefine Possible. I suffered atraumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of a motorcycle accidentmy wife and I were involved in, and with the help of the CraigFamily, I was able to receive the treatment I needed to return tonormal. Craig Hospital was able to provide training, treatment,and most importantly, hope to our family in a time of real need; aservice they provide happily to many who suffer from TBIs andspinal cord injuries.

We are Craig!

K IDS, THIS IS a storyabout a life detour and the power and light of the humanspirit.

Life is an adventure with many unpredictablechanges along its path. As Ive said, nobody ever wakes up in themorning and believes their life will change forever. And when theunimaginable happens, support from family, friends, colleagues andeven complete strangers will help guide you back to where you wantto be.

Our families have deep roots as ranchers,farmers, athletes, pilots, community leaders and businessvisionaries. You have wonderful family on both sides of the tree:Zedo (my dad your grandpa), my mom Nancy (Grandma Nancy), yourUncle Chris and Aunt Nikki, along with their families. Your momsparents Gerald and Bonnie, and your Aunts: Brenda, Kristi, Dixieand Jenny, and their families. Each of them helped shape thefoundation of who we are and who we will become, and the reason whyyour mother and I are married.

I think about the years Ive spent, just passingthrough
Id like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
Youve been there, you understand
Its all part of a grander plan
that is coming true

God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts

... our first dance song

The lyrics of this should always remind youof how your mother and I feel about each other, and how we want youto understand that time reveals your hidden treasures.

This is the story about how all of our liveswere changed before you were even born. How each of our familymembers supported us during difficult times and have continued tocare for both of you in ways that you will only understand as yougrow and get to know each of them. This is also a story about thegreat extended family we have friends, acquaintances and theCraig Hospital Family.

It takes a family to prop you up and supportyou, especially when you dont even know what you need.

We are so blessed to have so many caringpeople involved in our lives. These are the people who will helpguide you thru the many challenges that you will face in life.Remember them, and remember to honor what they have done and willdo.

Love your mom and dad

T his story iscompiled from journal notes taken by many, posts to a Caring Bridgewebsite, conversations with family, friends and medical staff, andpersonal experiences. Italicized entries are taken from posts onCaring Bridge by my sister-in-law, Robyn and Mark.

C HRIS CHRIS ... Isay in a strained voice

Yeah are you ok? What do you need?

Can you get me a wet towel for my head?

Its dark, the TV is on next to my bed with aSpanish infomercial on, I have a tube sticking through my nose andseveral wires hooked up to my chest and arm, but somehow I knowwhere I am and what is happening ...

My brother Chris is asleep in a chair at theend of my bed. I wake him somehow, and ask for a wet towel to puton my forehead. Chris gets the towel, puts it on my head and goesback to sleep.

This is my last night at St Anthonys and thefirst thing I really remember. There are other things that I canrecall, I can remember happening, but I have no sense of when orwhy these events occurred.

The next day, I wake in a stretcher beingpushed by two ambulance techs down the hall of the hospital. Mywife Robyn and my father, whose name is David, but everyone callsZedoa Slavic word meaning grandfatherare walking behind, andChris and Wes follow them. The ambulance workers keep talking to meabout what is going on and asking if I know my name, where I am,what year it is ... and then I fall back to sleep.

In the next moment, I am in an ambulance andbeing asked some of the same questions. Robyn is riding in thefront seat of the ambulance and cant hear what was being said orasked. One of the techs is a younger gentleman who introducedhimself as Rook. He said that he was a rookie, so the other guyscalled him Rook. His name was actually Ryan.

Ryan keeps asking me, What is your name ...when is your birthday ... do you know where you are ... do you knowwhere you are going ... do you know what happened?

He is making notes as I answer when I say,Just take me home ... I want to go home. Of course, Ryan cantlet me leave.

I say that I dont want to go to the hospitaland that I am feeling better.

Ryan explains again why we have to go toCraig Hospital and that it will be good for me.

I remain insistent on going home though. Itell Ryan, I dont know how much you guys are being paid fortoday, but if you take me home, I have cash ... I can pay you.