Gary's Life Changing Story
That Moment When “I Had Plans” Almost Killed Me…
It was Friday afternoon and I had plans. We had an hour and forty minutes to get the job done before the end of the day. The rush was on … “Let’s go guys I got plans, I don’t have time for overtime.”
Have you ever taken a shortcut? If you’re honest with yourself, I think we all have at some point in our lives at work, at home, while driving etc.
In my case, it was on the job…
Previously I traveled and worked various jobs in construction, all the way from laborer to electrician. So I was excited when I got a new job as a union maintenance electrician for a local pulp and paper mill.
That meant no more travel, a good income, and stability for me and my family.
But in one second all of that was about to change forever, for me and everyone I knew…
The job that day was investigating why a 200 amp 12,500-volt power line was shorting out. This line had shut down a section of the mill the night before. Now I was no slouch. I was a healthy 6’3” 240lb man who loved his work, and my overall attitude was to “get the job done.”
But in this case, that go-getter attitude almost did me in.
“I was being cooked alive…”
While the power house electrical crew and others watched from the ground, I was running a test on the power line with a consultant also in my bucket truck.
The conversation on the ground and in the bucket truck was typical for a Friday afternoon…
“What are you doing this weekend?”
“The weather is supposed to be nice.”
“Let’s go guys…”
Then in one split second, everything that was “me” before this moment in time was GONE…
As I leaned over the bucket rail to stretch my back, I felt a sharp pain and heard a buzzing sound in my right ear, and I let out a blood curdling scream.
That 12,500-volt power line I was working with? It was supposed to be de-energized, but shortcuts and “I have plans” got in the way.
I had leaned back and touched it with my right earlobe … and SNAP!
Every muscle and organ in my body convulsed and contracted, and my heart stopped beating. I collapsed, falling back into the power line and hitting it a second time with the back of my head.
In less than a second, life changed as I was being cooked alive. Fire and electricity was shooting out of me in fifteen places that resulted in electrical burns over 37% of my body (I found that out later). My first memory was in the emergency room feeling the searing heat, as though I was still on fire. And the smell was something my wife will never forget. It was the smell of my burned flesh and hair.
Three weeks later I was lying in a hospital bed… My heavily burned body was in the burn unit at Harborview Medical Center.
When I could understand what was going on, they told me that I had suffered permanent brain and spinal cord damage from the high voltage electrical trauma.
They said I would never walk again. In fact, I wasn’t even supposed to be alive.
When I was finally released from intensive care I had my first of many surgeries, well over 50 in total (costing around $6 million in today’s money).
Then, finally, I had a small victory … I went 12 months in a row without a surgery for the first time since my accident.
Fast forward to today…
I have a new zest for life and an attitude to match.
I spend time camping and four wheeling with my family. I play an occasional game of golf with friends. Sometimes I can take a motorcycle trip with my wife.
But it all comes at a steep price … I do all of this with only 40% use of my legs and a few extra pounds in metal parts. I wouldn’t say I’m very “efficient” anymore, either.
Then there are the new roles for my daughter and son, and other permanent changes that have impacted my family. (My DVD has more of the story, or I can come talk with your group…)
Above all, since I’ve “recovered” from my accident, I’ve developed a lifelong mission. I intend to promote safety and spare others the trauma I had to endure.
My full story of 12.5 Still Alive, Life After 12,500 Volts, talks about the ripple effect an injury has on a person, their family, coworkers and community.
The message and story is straight from my heart and I tell it like it is. If I can speak to your group … we will have some fun too.
There are video clips, my DVD, and more right here on this website. Contact us if you have questions, or would like to schedule time for me to come out and speak with your group.
And always remember…
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