Well, by this time I almost can't remember being without the 'reminders'. I once counted 14 sets of scars, but most have faded pretty well with time - or been replaced with others. I really have no complaints. When I came to my senses two weeks later I spent a day or so feeling sorry for myself, the got hit with the thought of those who died, and of mom. Whenever we faced some tough times I could remember her taking stock of things, then saying, "Well, we'll get through this somehow." That pretty much kicked me out of focusing on what I had lost and onto what came next. I learned to walk again, finished my degree, then graduate school and my post-graduate degree. I got married and love her more than ever after 32 years, and have four kids that I like and five grandchildren. I had a rewarding career that took me to several countries. Kind of silly to complain about a few aches. As I see it, everything after that wreck has been a bonus. Enough already, but thanks for asking. BillR -----Original Message----- From: "Rich Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Sent: 2/10/08 7:33 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Early 70s 200Ds, 220Ds
Wow. Aside from the injuries I am sure you also have memories that are not pleasant. --R Bill R wrote: > Yes, though I have related it a year or so ago. I was a student at > Lynchburg College [great school, BTW] and was heading to DC in 1971 in my > '62 220Sb to visit an old roommate. I was going into an 'S' curve at 2:30 > AM in the pouring down rain. A Camero was coming out of the curve and all I > remember [for the next two weeks] is saying 'that car is going too fast' .. > A trucker who saw the wreck in his mirrors said it was a Keystone Cop sort > of image with both cars going up and then smashing down. I would estimate > my speed at 50 when she hit me, and there were 14' of skid marks behind my > car, none at all from hers, and she was going a good deal faster. My car > stopped at the scene and hers took a bounce. At that time they did not do > blood alcohol levels on corpses, but she was driving her boyfriends car with > her brand new driver's license, and speeding in the rain at 2:30 AM on a > curving 2 lane after leaving a party. She was either drunk or terminally > stupid. My car did not have the lap belts installed [long story], which > would have killed me from the angle of impact, but the flat MB steering > wheel prevented any internal injuries. I think with a full modern restraint > and airbag system I would not have been seriously injured. The top of the > wheel hit me at tooth level and took all of them out as well as my lower jaw > [they found and refitted 4 of 5 pieces and most all of the teeth], and also > caused a C-2/3 spinal break [C-2/3 controls the heart and breathing I think, > which is why I believe hitting at an angle with a lap belt would have been > worse than hitting straight on without one]. My right knee took out an > add-on AC unit, cutting the knee almost through and sending my smashed femur > into daylight [well, not daylight at 2:30 AM]. Multiple compound fractures, > some closed ones, and cuts all over. I had an opportunity to see the car > three months later when I got out of the hospital and didn't recognize it _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
