Ron's Ski Crash and Gratitude for Whistler Alpine Rescue Team and BC Health Care Professionals

Oops! Well my skiing and hockey seasons have been shortened this year and golf delayed until summer. 

After my bucket list epic heli-ski day last Friday, my son Cameron and I went up for a few turns on Blackcomb and Whistler with another friend Austin.

In the late afternoon we took the peak chair and dropped into beautiful Whistler Bowl mogul run in poor visibility with snow falling and in the clouds. Cameron went first and I followed in back as our friend was a bit unsure in the steep invisible bumps. Austin fell and I skied over to check on him, bounced off a couple unseen moguls (I've been skiing bumps by Braille for 43 years), hit one bump a bit awkwardly, turned, recovered then with significant speed hit a large, invisible and unmarked chunk of avalanche debris with the inside of my right knee.

Cameron was a couple hundred feet below and he saw me catapulted and flying / tumbling for he says about 6 seconds. I felt something in my right quad and was screaming like a little girl for a minute.

The end result was I got some nitrous and a free toboggan ride right from the top of Whistler, to the bottom and then was shifted into an ambulance.

In emergency they gave me Percocet and took x-rays. Nothing was broken. Diagnosis Extreme bruise to knee and Charlie horse to quad. They arranged for me to see specialist in Victoria the next day.

So we hustled back to Victoria and saw the Dr in Orthopedic at VGH. He quickly diagnosed as the quadricep tendons having torn loose and detached at the knee, that surgery was necessary. They would be rushing me in between 24-72 hours.

I woke up Tuesday AM wanting a second opinion and an MRI before slicing me. Yesterday morning I met with Dr Zane Zarzour (who my RN niece Michelle Neal said was the best). He spent more time with me, did some simple Mobility tests and made it clear that 3 of the 4 tendons were detached and surgery was absolutely necessary.

Three hours later I was put back together again, although facing a lengthy recovery. Six+ weeks to start with no weight bearing (or driving). 

The pre-op nurse Laura was fantastic as was Lesley in post-op. From the ski patrol, the ambulance crew, the Whistler emergency staff to Dr Z and his team, all were pros through and through.

The BC health care system and VIHA came through with flying colors!

Huge thanks to family, friends, RE/MAX Alliance staff and agents and to our awesome Neal Estate Team for stepping up with all your help and support.

Now I can focus on recovery, work on some projects and read a few great books I've been wanting to get into.

CLICK HERE for a short video summary of skiing that day, the accident including slow motion clip), the rescue and post surgery expression of gratitude for Dr Zane and staff.

CLICK HERE to watch video of my epic bucket list heli-ski day just two days before the accident.

P.S. We are still in business with 3 sales in the past 4 days since my accident.

P.P.S. I'm looking for a part time driver!

#oops #thankyou #gratitude #healing #Whistler #VIHA #skipatrol #backnextseason

For any real estate needs, our team is always happy to be of service, contact us by clicking here or call 250-386-8181.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 7, 2017: The accident was now two weeks ago and surgery 10 days ago. I've got to tell you, I've got a HUGE appreciation and new level of empathy, compassion and understanding for anyone with mobility issues. I'm very fortunate that I've got the strength and fitness to get myself around, in and out of cars is a gymnastics manouever in itself! Doctor said 6 weeks before any weight bearing, 6 months before golf. I know I've got to take it slow, give it time and I'll be fully back.