I know that most have had this type of experience where the unexpected happens and you watch yourself do the unimaginable in slow motion. This happened to me this last week. We were taking a group of teens and kids rock climbing in an incredible area outside of Superior, AZ close to Magma Mine. We made incredible time and arrived actually before our guide was supposed to lead us down, yes down not up, the trail to our climbing area.
I’m fortunate to have an incredible friend, Brett, who became our rock-climbing guru probably 4 years ago. He now has a group of usually 10 or more that help him set up for our adventure. We have gone to a variety of places but mostly outside of Superior around a group of incredible ‘climbing thumbs’ that are excellent for kids through adults. Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned climber or a first timer.
The spot we were going is amazing because there is actually a little area that always has water that the kids just love. Yes, throwing rocks and getting wet is a hit, even before it gets too hot. As we get organized to make the journey down, we do the usual group picture and explain the logistics of staying together and helping each other on the trail going to our climbing area.
I ended up with two of our little gals tagging along with me. I had my backpack and decided I better take their pack also which was actually way heavier than my pack. This is a steep path going down for 600 feet before you get to the bottom. I had one of those slipping experiences where I realized that as I reached out to guide one of the girls that I was slipping and ended up tumbling down the trail. I must have fallen on my side, hitting my hip mostly and then fell backwards hitting my head. OUCH! I was so fortunate to have our guide see what happened and immediately helped me as we looked into my backpack for a clean rag and a bottle of water.
What happened next was truly a ‘God Thing’. There was a couple that was hiking up that witnessed the accident who happened to be a doctor and a nurse. They were strangers that ended up being so kind and a great help. They assisted me back up the hill, I was able to stand up and actually walk for the most part on my own. We made it back to the top. I was able to eventually connect with my Anne. They were willing to drive me back to civilization and an urgent care. The goal was for Anne to meet me there and they would continue to their house.
The great blessing for me was that they actually took me to our meeting spot and waited with me for Anne to arrive. We had a fascinating conversation because the lady doctor was from Puerto Rico and her husband was from Ohio. We talked a lot about culture and life in a diverse context. Anne eventually pulls up and they have an opportunity to greet her and make me promise to go to an urgent care and not go home.
I did follow through and visited the ER at a new smaller hospital in our neighborhood. Fortunately for me the ER was quiet, and I got to see the nurse quickly to get my vitals and ready for the doctor to do staples in my head. It was a delight to meet Joshua Jackson, who is a dad with 2 girls and married that did the work. He was very gentle and quick with getting doing four staples to close my gouge. What was humorous was the Polish Nurse that complimented me on my gray hair, AGH! It was fun listening to her story of being in the states for 15 years and having a daughter who was 21.
My accident caused me to reflect on the fact that I’m not superman, I do bruise and can actually get a gouge in my head and must be humble enough to accept help. I was blessed to receive so much TLC from our group who thought that Dave was going to die or be unable to do Barrio in the future.
I listened to my key leaders and did rest of the remainder of that day and nor for the following 3 days. I’m so thankful to not have had a concussion or broken bone, which could have happened so easily.
Yet, the pictures from the group’s adventure re-enforced the need to always seek to climb higher and accept the help from those around you that are more experienced and caring.
