Joined
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328 Posts
I began riding when I bought a Rupp mini bike some 30 yrs ago. Move up to the Yamaha dirt bikes and on to my first HD in 1980. Road several yrs until my first accident when a drunk driver pulled out in front of me. Believe it or not he was pulling out of the fire department/police station parking lot at the time. Talk about quick response from medical personnel. I was thrown over the car, (no helmet) and escaped with a few broken bones. It was broad day light so drunks just don’t drive at night. Lesson learned;
Always-always watch out for the other person. Six months later I got back on the saddle to reassure myself that riding was for me.
I ended up taking 7 yrs off, concentrating on the job which moved me state to state, RI, MA, TN and MS. In 1987 I purchased another FLH and began riding again. Felt great and the wife loved it. Rode a few more yrs and transferred again this time to PA. Bike went too when the house was sold.
In late 95 when the craze hit the HD scene I ordered another bike. Waiting list was a year or more. Exciting about the new ride arriving shortly I prepared. But on June 23rd, 1996 I was near death, actually died twice in the hospital. The diagnosis, Stevens Johnson Syndrome. What is that? Basically it is an allergic reaction to medication. I had taken Daypro for tendonitis of the elbow prescribed by my doctor. The end result, 3 months in intensive care, 2 months in rehab, burnt internally first, blind for 2 yrs, lost 100% of my body hair, 100% of my skin, all my mucous membranes, paralyzed left arm and hand. These are some of the issue that affected me. I have regained full motion in the arm and hand, skin has grown but I’m left with many scares. The eyes are the biggest concern. I’m still blind in the left eye but the doctors have been able to regain the vision in the right eye to a 20/40 state with the use of the Boston Scleral Lens. These are very special lens only made by 2 doctors in the world who happen to be in Boston. I’m on chemo for the rest of my life due to the ongoing eye issues. The chemo breaks down my immune system thus fighting off the reaction which continues to create mayhem in the eyes. Once the doctors were able to give me back enough vision I returned back to work. This time in a different capacity but never the less promoted and transferred to New Jersey in 1999.
In mid 2001 HD began building their new store in my hometown. Driving by daily drove me crazy and then finally the store opened just in time for Christmas. I walked in, viewed a few bikes then purchased my 3rd HD. The RK Classic will be a very special one for me.
I’ve been on 20/20, dateline and will be featured in a few more shows forthcoming. Should you care to view some hospital picture of me the link below will take you there? The first 3 are me. Warning….very graphic, so the choice is yours to view.
Since fishing gives me peace and pleasure to take my mind off my illness i thought of flycasterjoe would be an appropriate name.
http://members.aol.com/Rashsjsten/index.html
Joe
Always-always watch out for the other person. Six months later I got back on the saddle to reassure myself that riding was for me.
I ended up taking 7 yrs off, concentrating on the job which moved me state to state, RI, MA, TN and MS. In 1987 I purchased another FLH and began riding again. Felt great and the wife loved it. Rode a few more yrs and transferred again this time to PA. Bike went too when the house was sold.
In late 95 when the craze hit the HD scene I ordered another bike. Waiting list was a year or more. Exciting about the new ride arriving shortly I prepared. But on June 23rd, 1996 I was near death, actually died twice in the hospital. The diagnosis, Stevens Johnson Syndrome. What is that? Basically it is an allergic reaction to medication. I had taken Daypro for tendonitis of the elbow prescribed by my doctor. The end result, 3 months in intensive care, 2 months in rehab, burnt internally first, blind for 2 yrs, lost 100% of my body hair, 100% of my skin, all my mucous membranes, paralyzed left arm and hand. These are some of the issue that affected me. I have regained full motion in the arm and hand, skin has grown but I’m left with many scares. The eyes are the biggest concern. I’m still blind in the left eye but the doctors have been able to regain the vision in the right eye to a 20/40 state with the use of the Boston Scleral Lens. These are very special lens only made by 2 doctors in the world who happen to be in Boston. I’m on chemo for the rest of my life due to the ongoing eye issues. The chemo breaks down my immune system thus fighting off the reaction which continues to create mayhem in the eyes. Once the doctors were able to give me back enough vision I returned back to work. This time in a different capacity but never the less promoted and transferred to New Jersey in 1999.
In mid 2001 HD began building their new store in my hometown. Driving by daily drove me crazy and then finally the store opened just in time for Christmas. I walked in, viewed a few bikes then purchased my 3rd HD. The RK Classic will be a very special one for me.
I’ve been on 20/20, dateline and will be featured in a few more shows forthcoming. Should you care to view some hospital picture of me the link below will take you there? The first 3 are me. Warning….very graphic, so the choice is yours to view.
Since fishing gives me peace and pleasure to take my mind off my illness i thought of flycasterjoe would be an appropriate name.
http://members.aol.com/Rashsjsten/index.html
Joe
