I was just 17 years old – my senior year in High School-

September of 1966!

The Friday before, I had played a football game –

My positions – left guard on offense and monster on defense-

(roving linebacker).

I had just eaten supper –

My mother had made homemade potato soup!

She was an excellent cook and baker!

I was going to drive toward the state line to meet up with my girlfriend-

And go someplace – I don’t remember where.

My ride was a SIMCA –

Imagine a squared-off Volkswagen!

Robin egg blue with a manual five-speed on the floor.

Getting it up to the speed limit was not easy!

The top speed was maybe 60 mph on the best days!

It was a square tin box on wheels!

Sitting in the driver’s seat, I almost could touch the passenger side door with my outstretched arm.

But – to me – it was easier than hitchhiking, which I had done numerous times-

Both during the day and at night!

I started the trip toward the NYS line, about four or five miles away, to where she lived.

On the outskirts of town by the Kendal Bridge-

A car coming toward me really fast went buzzing by!

I remember this because they were on the center line –

And in my mind, I still see the woman-

She was sitting with her feet up on the dashboard while her husband was driving!

I later found out they had gone through town and turned around by Burrs garage.

I still have my long-term memory and find that writing blogs is for me a training exercise –

In retaining that memory!

Eldred, Pa., in the 1900s – there is a tall white building in the upper center-

I lived just to the left, several houses back from that church.

Those hills were toward NYS –

And where would I have the accident!

I had run through all five gears and was doing 45 to 50 miles per hour.

There was a corner just before my girlfriend’s home –

And about 150 yards to her home.

I started to downshift –

And put my turn signal to turn left.

My intent was to turn left and park facing the opposite direction –

So when leaving, we would be heading back toward town.

I was in second gear –

And I had crossed the white line – no cars were coming towards me, and it was a good three-quarter mile straight away!

All of a sudden, from behind me came that car that had passed me going into town!

They came around that corner, and I was on the left lane, and it hit me –

The right fender of his car hit the door behind my seat!

That little car I drove had no seat belts.

His fender came through the door and hit the back of my seat.

The seat was pushed into the steering wheel-

Having no seat belts saved my life.

I was thrown across the gear shit – and my back was against tihe other passenger door.

My legs were still on the clutch and gas pedal

We went all the way across the lane –

Onto the berm and about 100 feet into the mailbox.

The windows exploded, and I was covered in glass.

I looked directly at them, and she still had her feet up on the dashboard.

My girlfriend’s mother came running across the road and opened the door that my back was against.

I somehow got my feet over the stick shift and out of the door.

I tried to stand, but my hips just sort of swayed sideways!

So I sat down in the seat and wondered –

“I passed that car- they were going really fast – they had gone through town –

and turned around and back – and somehow in the four miles caught me and –

slammed into me while I was in the other lane”?

They must have been going really fast!

The ambulance arrived, and I was taken to Olean General Hospital.

I could not stand or walk.

I had this pain in my lower belly –

They took X-rays –

My Pelvis was broken –

And the urethral tube from my bladder had been torn apart!

I was bleeding inside!

My thoughts after the accident.

They put a Catheter in –

Blood immediately filled the glass jug –

I was scared –

IV and blood were hooked up.

It ended up for 41 days!

I was put flat on a bed with traction under my hips-

Ropes along both legs and wrapped –

These ropes were attached to weights hanging from a contraption –

Rigged up over my bed.

I could be slightly elevated by the upper part of the bed.

I lay this way for 51 days!

I did not know if I would ever walk again.

I continued my studies for my senior year in that bed.

Being released in November.

I went home in a wheelchair.

During that time, I found out my girlfriend was pregnant.

We were married – I in a wheelchair.

My parents had a hospital bed put in the living room.

I slept there – she slept upstairs.

This is my eldest son, Troy, who was born after the accident in early January 1967.

Of all that happened, he became a bright star for me.

I was reclassified for the draft!

We were in the middle of “NAM”!

I could not walk, and no longer could I be drafted!

I was in a wheelchair for three months-

Then, on crutches, I had to learn to walk again.

Then, with a cane and I walked for graduation.

I am forever grateful for the support I had from loved ones.

All my school classmates who came to see me-

Some helped me in my lessons.

I graduated from H.S. – married with a son.

College was not an option,

but I was blessed in that neither was Vietnam!

Today I am fine –

But this memory lingers on as just like it were yesterday.

I can still see it in my mind.

Thank you for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Today, after 20 years –

AGING AS HEALTHY AS WE CAN.

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com