Patty's crash and injuries

[JimPat]

For those of you who know my wife Patty I thought I'd let her kiting and windsurfing friends know about her serious accident. One week ago wednesday at Buckhill we were GS racing in super warm snow with big ruts and soft snow holes all over the course. Most people only took one run since the courses became so dangerous but Patty is skiing so well that she wanted experience in rotten course conditions for possible similar conditions in future races. Well she unbelievably made it through what was thought to be the bad portions of the course and threw her skis over to the final gate before the finsh area. Her skis hooked up into the rut and quickly shot into the new direction faster than her body could keep up with. She fell and cartwheeled several times. The Ortho doctor calls her injury the Chad Fliescher Kitzbul Downhill Injury(you can view his crash on universal sports.com). She requires three surguries. The injuries are torn ACL, torn MCL, torn maniscus capsule and torn petellar tendon(very rarely is this tendon torn and it's the reason this can't be done as one surgery) . The first sugurey is today. In a week and a half they go in to remove the wire they are putting in along the petellar. In six months they can do the ACL replacement surg.. She loves to work out which is good because this will take atleast a year of rehab. Keep Patty in your prayer's! Thanks!
Jim

[tom_latcham]

So sorry to hear about Patty's crash. I guess we have to be thankful, the injuries are only to her leg. Back or neck could be much worse. I will keep you and Patty in my prayers.
TL

[steveb]

Total bummer....luck to Patty. Luck to you too Jim.There's going to be a lot of "honey can you get me's"
I hate to hear of injuries but at least Patty didn't do it getting of the couch, she earned her badge of courage going for it.
Better to wear out than rust out, as the song lyrics say.Still good luck to you both please keep us updated how things are going.

[Eric Bro]

Awful news. We're so sorry to hear of your injuries, Patty. Here's for a full recovery. Thinking of you..

Eric and Linda

[Tighe]

damn, what a bummer. Hope her spirited attitude hasn't faultered. The condition of her body prior to the accident and her intense commitment to everything she does, should speed her through recovery.

You can do it Patty.

[krazykatie]

Terrible news, i'm so sorry to hear Jim. Tell Patty I wish her a speedy recovery!

[Mike B]

Sorry to hear about the crash. Good luck on the recovery! Your obvious passion for the sport will help keep you focused on the recovery process, and get you back on the hill as soon as possible.

Hope to see you out on the lakes later this season. We could strap you into a sled with a hot drink and have Jim tow you around the lake with the kite.

- Mike

[RobH]

Best wishes -I hate to welcome anyone to the ACL club, but the good news is the rebuilt ACL's are solid. I have had both knees repaired - long rehab but the results are great these days. If you are lookig for 2nd opionions I highly recomend James Schaffhauson out of Burnsville (orthopedic Consultants) He takes a very active rehab and understands those who want to continue to play hard

[johnz]

What a bummer.

I've seen Patty ski, and she is GOOD - makes me look like I need training wheels.

It sounds like the fact she made it down that course at all is pretty incredible.

Well, Jimmy, you'll have to spoil the heck out of her for the next, well why not forever?

Anything I can do to help, let me know, neighbor!

(Macaroni and Ramen for everyone!)

Seriously, Patty, best wishes for a speedy recovery! We'll miss your smiling face, but hopefully not for long!!!

[markjohnson]

That is terrible---sounds like a lot of hospital time. Hope you recover fast. Which is more dangerous--kiting or downhill skiing? I still say skiing. Stay positive, you will get better.

[krazykatie]

More people die skiing every year than from any other sport...

[TJ]

what an ugly news!! sending good vibes her way!!! take good care of her man!!!

[seamonkey]

Sorry to hear the news. I had a similar injury several years ago and I will never touch a ski in my life again. I feel your pain.

[JRN]

A BIG OL' GET WELL CARD FROM ALL OF US! Maybe the relative safety of kiting vs. danger of GS will win her over to our side. And for the rest of us: Be CAREFUL out there. Let's try to get through the season without further injury. Think before you throw a big one. We don't want to change it from LAKAWA to the Daily Injury Report! It can't do the sport any good with word of so many people getting hurt. I want to keep riding with ALL of you. Don't get taken out of the line-up early.

[chanrider]

Sorry to hear about the injury Jim and Patty! A few weeks back I banged up my left side tripping down the stairs at night after stepping on a toy ball the kids left on the top step. No video available of that one, but time is the great healer and I'm feeling much better now, bruised ego and everything.

Our friends in South Padre both had knee ligaments replaced in the last few years. While recovery took a while the results were encouraging. Take care of her Jim! You are in our family's prayers!

[TomG]

Sorry to hear that. Speedy Recovery FTW !

[scottchapman]

Hope you heal up quickly Patti. At least you did not do it kiting and have a fear there...Best wishes and hope to see you at the lake soon...

[Paul F]

A wsj article to cheer her up:

A World Champ From Buck Hill