thank you all

[Jan]

Dear Matt,

I had a pretty bad kite-accident back in 2004 and I still suffer from it. I am riding again and enjoy every minute of it, waves, flat water, try tricks and on. Thought that I was okay again but I just found out recently that I got symptoms and issues with my neck and spine which aren't funny anymore and limiting me in my life.

It took me about a year to back onto the water. Could have gone earlier, but just didn't feel like it. I was lifted up for about 30 feet and fell onto a parking lot, thought I was going to die but I was really lucky and only broke my left leg and had a serious neck trauma for several weeks. Since then, I still have re-occuring problems with my neck.

What I am trying to tell you is that I think that you might wanna cool it out a bit, think again, and maybe you want to go kiting again in a bit, this summer or even wait until 2010. Don't go right away. Make sure you have a proper treatment of your spine trauma first. Do gymnastics and yoga and fuck kitesurfing. At least, don't go riding in strong winds and in waves, but smooth flat water and don't pull any tricks. It might cause more problems than you think and you would have them for the rest of your life.

May I ask what happened during your acident?

Take care,

Jan

[splatto]

Well I am glad to hear from another, unfortunately, with experience in a bad kiting accident. So what happened. I can't remember anything. But if you put sherman island accident or sherman island kitesurfing accident many sites will come up. Many with firsthand knowledge, posted on these sights. When I was in a coma, my cousin found many interested sights and kept everyone up to date on my progress. So these sights, including this one, for much of my accident and recovery are the best place to get info. Earlier in this post I started to post my progress in my own words.
How am I doing now. Well I had major injuries to my brain and optical nerves. This leaves me with emotional issues, memory problems, and distorted vision. Also there were too many broken bones for me to remember. The nastiest was the double compound, fracture, left leg. I think I posted all of this earlier in this post. The physical issues I can, and have dealt with in the past. Thus my nickname Splatto, given to me because of my many injuries and crashes. The other issues have been, and still are very difficult for me to deal with.
As far as my back I have recently had some severe lower back problems which I have dealt with via Ryan, my certified physical therapist at my local gym, and my massage therapist Mary Beth. Both have been invaluable in my recovery process. I would not be where I am without their help. I am still supposed to be in a wheel chair and in the hospital. They said I would be that way for a year. Not even close, I was out of the hospital in under 5 months. I have used many message and physical therapists’ in the past because of the number of injuries I've inflicted on myself. None have been as successful as Ryan and Mary Beth. Mary Beth'a not cheap but is worth every penny. If anyone is interested she can be reached at: work:(209)823-0174, or cell:(209)483-9667. You have to have an In Shape City membership to get Ryan, but his contact info is on page 1 or 2 of this post.
I have had no noticeable neck problems. But I hear I had a 98% chance of dying from this.
So I am in the process of trying to rebuild what's left of my life. I am told I should think seriously of finding another line of work, and to not ever ride anything, ever again. I'm too stubborn to listen. I fact that's how many of my friends comforted other friends during the critical part of my recovery, "Matt's too stubborn to die".
So if you can't find all the info your looking for, feel free to ask. If a phone call would work better I can be reached at (209)456-2695, I can't use my phone at work all the time, so if I don't answer leave a message. That goes for everyone. I don't mind talking about anything at all.
So I hope your recovery is still going well, if I can be of any help please feel free to ask.

[splatto]

Well it turns out I'm a freak not only mentally, but physically now too. I have never been accused of NOT having a spine, usaully TOO much spine. Now I know why. Turns out I have an anomoly, only seen in about 5% of the population. My lowest vertabrae grew another one below it. So I have another vertabrae attached to the last one. Turns out Kaiser doctors(supposed specialists) are too unedcated to know that this condition even exits. It took a chiropractor less than a minute to notice this, in x-rays taken and viewed by Kaiser "epecialists", after complaining of mojor back pain. This comes from childhood. This explains the constant lower back pain I've had all my life. You know, what I have gone to see back specialists from Kaiser for years.
Now keep in mind, it never stopped me before, and I'll be damned if it stops me now. Hell, maybe I'm already damned, oh well F it! So this coupled with my trying to act like a stake, hurts intensely. But it is getting better everday. Another body ache to add to my ever growing list. Just grin and bear it.

[Greg]

Matt you might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but you've got more balls then just about anyone I've ever meet... Keep up the good work and you'll kite again, but remember- EASY DOES IT!!!
Your friend- LoudMouthGreg

[splatto]

I hear I "AM" one of the charpest in the shed, maybe not after my accident though. But this kiting addiction may have kicked my tail. So I wanna kick back. As friends from way back in the day know, I my not win, but I'll leave my mark when I loose!!!! You'll know I was there!!!

[splatto]

So now that I'm done with my latest rant, thanks again Greg for your support. This guy was there from the splatt to help me recover. Amoung many others. Thanks again. So I have an idea from work about a thank you and it may require some artwork. Any artists out there that would be interested? Again I wanna give my thanks in more than words. I'm not talking large sums of money(which I don't have). But the govenernment guys gave me an idea. So let me know.

[Greg]

Matt-
Bro you gonna have to give us some more clues about what your thinking of...
"Art" is pretty subjective,
L.M.G.

[splatto]

Well update, my back was hurting so bad about 3 weeks ago that it hurt badly just sitting, and severly just turning my head. The chiropractor was awesome and obviously not trying to just take my money in any way. This coupled with the massage, and physical therapy has shown me marked improvement physically.
In fact this chiropractor has helped tremendously with my emotional problems. He suggested fish oil, and a vitamin B complex. And this suggestion was made based on a 2 minute conversation we had, and basically he said these were "long shots" at helping. Within hours of trying the fish oil I felt a huge noticeable change. And this chiropractor told me that I "might" notice a "slight" difference over time, not a huge difference in few hours. The emotional part has been the biggest issue from the beginnning, physical pain I can, and have dealt with in the past.
So out of Kaiser help has again done more than any doctor or specialist from Kaiser has. And to top it off, I am footing the bill for all of these from above and throughout this post. Kaiser won't pay a penny. Screw KAISER!!!!!!! As soon as open enrollment comes around again, I'm getting a health plan that wants to help. Not just take people's money.

Oh and I got mad props for Mary Beth and Ryan from this chiropractor also, saying I was in good hands and to listen to them. They know what they are doing. I am hearing similar things from every doctor I have seen and am seeing.

I'll tell ya I have always been against forcing the spine into place, I was always into the natural approach. This guy has proven me wrong. I have no pain in my back as of today. Thanks everyone.