Posted by Gary Crabbe on March 22, 2009 at 11:44 PM
It's been more than a year since I've been active on NPN, which I've always considered to the the most talent-filled group of nature and landscape photographers anywhere on the Internet.
Four weeks ago, I had an accident that could have easily ended up much more tragically for me. I fell about 40 feet off a cliff in Death Valley in the middle of the night, and awoke to find myself lying in a heap on the desert floor. I wound up in a hospital for a week, suffering from a subdural hematoma; the same type of injury that killed actress Natasha Richardson this week.
During my recovery, I was forced to turn everything, including my business, "off". I simply had to heal. Although I'm unable to hold a camera, I'm starting to feel semi-functional again.
Having an accident like this has been a mixed blessing. On the positive side, its given me a chance to re-examine the things in life that I consider important. I realize that I allowed myself to become too immersed in being 'busy' with my business. The result was that other areas of life I considered important seemed to slip away. One such notable area was being an active part of a community like NPN.
It's actually been quite rewarding to feel like I have been given the opportunity to hit the "Reset" button with my life, and reclaim some of the things that bring me joy. I'm most happy I'm just able to say, "I'm still here", and I'm looking forward to being *here* more often.
Thanks for listening.
Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on March 22, 2009 at 11:57 PM
So sorry to hear about your accident Gary. I hope that you have a speedy recovery and get back to shooting those amazing images again.
Posted by Phillip Noll on March 23, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Wow! Talk about a rude awakening! Glad you're feeling better and on the mend. Here's to a speedy recovery!!!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 23, 2009 at 12:27 AM
That's quite a story, Gary! I hope you continue with your speedy recovery from the "minor" injuries.
I hope you have a speedy recovery. And glad to still have you around. The thought of falling that far is not comforting and I am amazed you walked away with only the injuries you had and not more. Get well.
Posted by Lon Overacker on March 23, 2009 at 3:18 AM
Welcome back Gary. I'm certainly glad you're recovering and I hope everything returns to normal. And normal might mean not wandering around in the desert in the middle of the night...
And as long as your resetting, you should know that my home brew stock is now empty... so any time you want to re-stock, just let me know. :-)
Lon
Posted by Jim Erhardt on March 23, 2009 at 6:07 AM
Gary, I am sorry to hear of the accident - it obviously could have turned out much worse!
Good news that it didn't and that you have the opportunity to take a few steps back. It is so easy to become immersed in the day-to-day struggles that we often lose sight of the good things in life.
Welcome back and get better soon!
Posted by Varina Patel on March 23, 2009 at 8:10 AM
I'm glad you are doing well, Gary. The opportunity to start over - with a new perspective - is something many people never have. I hope you'll make the most of it.
I did. :)
Please take good care of yourself so that you can shoot from that cliff again someday - well back from the edge. ;)
Life is what you make of it...
Varina
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 23, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Having worked in nursing homes as a therapist, I came to learn just how day to day our existence really is. I try to not get too wrapped up in issues that really don't matter all that much. Glad to hear you are recovering; you're one of my favorites.
Kent in SD
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 23, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Gary, we never know what awaits us around the next bend or with our next step as you can now attest. Great to hear that you survived this ordeal with surprisingly minor injuries.
It seems you are destined to do more great things in life before making the final trip. Can't wait to see what those things might be.
Here's to your full and speedy recovery!
Posted by beth summer on March 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Gary, I recently had an accident and I totally understand how you have to basically shut down and focus on the healing. I'm still in the healing stage myself and it's been almost 4 months already. Probably another 3 months to go. Yes, it does give you time for thought and reexamination of your life. I wish you well in the next few weeks and months and I look forward to your "complete" return to NPN. I've always enjoyed your images
Posted by Edward Nunez on March 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Gary, I hope you recover quick from your accident. The best wishes for you.
Welcome back! Good thing you have a hard head. Best wishes for a fast full recovery!!
Posted by Paul DeCesare on March 23, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Gary, I just read the full account on your website... amazing (and blown away that no head x-rays were done on your initial visit). As you stated, it really is the grace of God that you're still with us, which we are very thankful for, and certainly wish you full recovery. I've never seen your work before tonight, but I just went through your gallery. My socks are now in the other room.
Get well soon!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 24, 2009 at 3:34 AM
I thought about you upon hearing a photographer fell to his death today in the foothills west of Denver. The 47 year old man fell over a guardrail and down a 60 ft. cliff, while taking a photograph. Wind may have been a contributing factor.
Thanks again for sharing your story.
There are certainly a number of safety lessons to be learned here.
Posted by Gary Crabbe on March 24, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and well wishes here. Each and every one is most graciously appreciated. I really do consider myself one lucky dawg. If I was a cat, I'm definitely running "minus one."
It's so nice again after a month to feel mostly human, and to have that added appreciation for the little things we so often take for granted without thought or acknowledgment. So in the spirit of acknowledgment, pease allow me to say, "Thanks" again.
Wow, that is a TOUGH "wake up" call! Life on the other side of surviving a near death experience is way different, isn't it! Many blessings to you as you continure your journey. Welcome back to the community; I will look forward to becoming familiar with your photography.
Discussion
22 repliesFour weeks ago, I had an accident that could have easily ended up much more tragically for me. I fell about 40 feet off a cliff in Death Valley in the middle of the night, and awoke to find myself lying in a heap on the desert floor. I wound up in a hospital for a week, suffering from a subdural hematoma; the same type of injury that killed actress Natasha Richardson this week.
During my recovery, I was forced to turn everything, including my business, "off". I simply had to heal. Although I'm unable to hold a camera, I'm starting to feel semi-functional again.
Having an accident like this has been a mixed blessing. On the positive side, its given me a chance to re-examine the things in life that I consider important. I realize that I allowed myself to become too immersed in being 'busy' with my business. The result was that other areas of life I considered important seemed to slip away. One such notable area was being an active part of a community like NPN.
It's actually been quite rewarding to feel like I have been given the opportunity to hit the "Reset" button with my life, and reclaim some of the things that bring me joy. I'm most happy I'm just able to say, "I'm still here", and I'm looking forward to being *here* more often.
Thanks for listening.
I hope you have a speedy recovery. And glad to still have you around. The thought of falling that far is not comforting and I am amazed you walked away with only the injuries you had and not more. Get well.
And as long as your resetting, you should know that my home brew stock is now empty... so any time you want to re-stock, just let me know. :-)
Lon
Good news that it didn't and that you have the opportunity to take a few steps back. It is so easy to become immersed in the day-to-day struggles that we often lose sight of the good things in life.
Welcome back and get better soon!
I did. :)
Please take good care of yourself so that you can shoot from that cliff again someday - well back from the edge. ;)
Life is what you make of it...
Varina
Kent in SD
It seems you are destined to do more great things in life before making the final trip. Can't wait to see what those things might be.
Here's to your full and speedy recovery!
Nathan
Get well soon!
Thanks again for sharing your story.
There are certainly a number of safety lessons to be learned here.
It's so nice again after a month to feel mostly human, and to have that added appreciation for the little things we so often take for granted without thought or acknowledgment. So in the spirit of acknowledgment, pease allow me to say, "Thanks" again.
Take care of yourself.