Please pray for Todd...

[kiteboymn]

Hello everyone, it's Vicki Hanson, Todd's wife. We wanted to ask everyone to send their positive thoughts to him right now. On Monday, Todd had a horrible accident with a table saw. He was airlifted to North Memorial where he spent 6 1/2 hours in surgery to re-attach his middle finger and repair major damage to his index, ring and pinky fingers on his left hand. He is being treated by leeches that suck on his middle finger. They are used because they had to take vein grafts from his wrist to supply the amputated finger with blood and it takes time for the newly constructed veins to learn how to act as capilaries and return the blood to his heart. So the leeches are sucking the blood out of the tip of his finger until his body can move the blood by itself. Things are looking very positive that the surgery will be a success, but Todd is pretty bummed out right now as he is looking at a long recovery that may not offer him the ability to kiteboard this summer. So please send your positive thoughts that he recovers quickly. He is still in ICU and cannot receive phone calls, flowers, etc. at this time. If anyone wants to post a note to him, I will keep checking in and deliver any messages you wish to send him. I'll keep you updated as we go along... Thanks in advance for your prayers. - Vicki

[Tighe]

Oh Vicki I am so sorry to hear that. Todd is an inspiration to all us "old Guys". No doubt his strength, and vitality will bring him through this but what a horrible thing to have happen at the beginning of summer.

If anyone has the power to heal and come back as good as new, Todd's the guy.

Tell him I expect him back "hitting it" soon.

Let us know when we can stop down and give him kite porn to pass the time.

[Rick R]

I am definately sending out my best wishes for a speedy and succesful recovery.
Rick R

[mdh01]

Vicki,
Sorry we haven't met, but I know Todd. I have a lake home on Pelican a mile to the west of you, and Todd was my starting point in this sport!

I clearly remember the day I met Todd...Standing on my dock, looking towards the public beach on pelican, I see this huge thing in the sky pulling someone through the water. I had never seen such a thing, so had to walk down and see what was going on. Todd was just coming in off the water and for the next two hours, we talked (for those of you that know Todd, two hours is a short conversation for him)! The photo below was taken the day I met him (August 2004). I bought my first of several Wind Wing kites from him the next day.


I watched Todd work through many prototypes of the Switchblade as well. We spent hours in his garage messing with stuff. He always had time for a chat and a beer. And if the wind was blowing from the north, I could almost always count on him to sail past my window and give a holler.

Todd - best wishes on your recovery. Thanks for all the positive stokes in the past and for getting myself, and so many others into this crazy sport. I love it.

I hope to see you memorial weekend.

Photo below was taken Dec 2, 2006 on North Long Lake - Brainerd. The ice was about 2 inches thick and with no snow, it wouldn't be possible without the switchblade he invented!


Mark

[TJ]

I am sorry to hear that I will be praying for him to recover soon. He is a really good guy always willing to help other,

Good vibes to him..

TJ

keep up posted, so we can visit him when he is out of the ICU

[seamonkey]

I don't know the man, but I am a tradesman. I wish him a fast recovery. Sorry to hear the news.

[champlin]

Todd, sorry to hear about the accident, hope you recover soon and I get the opportunity to ride with you again, heal fast man!!

[Mike W]

Todd, you are in our prayers. I am very sorry to hear about the horrible accident.

[Tom L]

Todd.....hang in there....you are in our prayers.

[Bryce]

Todd, I am sorry to hear about your accident. Get well soon!!

[ice_kmauve]

Todd--sorry to hear about this. I'll be praying for you as you recover. Hopefully you'll be back with full functionality on that finger.

[Woody]

Get better dude! We need our "sticker guy" ready for action

[Denis]

OMG! Todd, really sorry to hear that. Hope you heal up fast man. Can't go too long without those killer sessions riding blind-side.

Denis

[Eric P]

Get better soon Todd. Well miss you at reddy this summer, hope you can make a quick recovery and get out for some of those great fall winds. Knowing you, you'll somehow figure out a great new invention that will allow you to kite one handed or something. I'm sure your already thinking about it. Get well soon man. Don't let this slow you down. At least not for too long.

[Professor Robae']

Hang in there Todd – you’re a tough guy! I like Eric’s thinking – you will be back in action way sooner than your doctor predicts!

Good vibes your way!

[Stroh]

good luck tod. your not only an inspration to the old guys like tighe. hopefully you will be back in action by the end of the summer.

Jon

[Reel Nomad]

Hey Todd, I wish you a swift and fully functional recovery.
-Aleshia

[johnz]

Todd,
What a bummer.

I know you'll pull through this and I'll be looking up as you float over my head up on Milly pulling some sort of stylin' trick.
- z

[MaxiePOO]

Todd this is max almich i am so sorry...... it will be a lot different not riding with you anymore well i hope to see you out asap...........get better dude you are in our prayers..

Max Almich

[drknap]

Todd
wishing you a speedy recover. My thoughts and prayers are with you.