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Old 07-27-2008, 09:01 AM   #1
Dave e Victoria
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Need a softer landing

One week ago today, Victoria was bringing two cups of coffee out of the camper when she spilled some of the coffee on her hand, lost her balance and fell all the way forward to the ground - about a 35 inch fall. She landed on concrete patio squares causing two shattered wrists, a shattered left elbow and both ligaments torn from her elbow. She was airlifted to a trauma center in Scottsdale where she had three surgeries to get things back in order.

From now on we are traveling with a couple of gel mats that can be placed at the bottom of the stairs just because things happen. Many of us who travel in our fivers are retired and then some so anything we can do to prevent the bad results from the inevitable falls can only help. Victoria will have six weeks of recovery - luckily we are back in our regular house while she heals -- and she wishes this suggestion may save someone else a similar ordeal.
Regards
Dave and Victoria
 
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Old 07-27-2008, 09:36 AM   #2
H. John Kohl
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Sorry to hear about Victoria's fall. Hope her recovery goes well.
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Old 07-27-2008, 09:37 AM   #3
snfexpress
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Dave - we are both wishing Victoria a speedy and complete recovery.
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Old 07-27-2008, 09:48 AM   #4
Delaine and Lindy
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Dave we are sorry to hear about Victoria fall and hope she has a speedy recovery. Dave as you know we had a Cambridge (Great 5er) however the top step was about the only thing I didn't like. I also fell out of the Cambridge two different times. I was very lucky, didn't have any injuries. I just jumped up to see if anyone was looking. Good Luck to you both.... And we know you will take good care of her. GBY....
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Old 07-27-2008, 10:15 AM   #5
nailbender
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Hope Victoria has a speedy recovery.
Are the gel mats you got the same as a chef's mat or something different. DW has slipped a couple of times and after reading about Victoria's experience, I agree that something for a soft landing would be good to have.
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Old 07-27-2008, 11:08 AM   #6
exav8tr
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Sorry to hear of your mishap and hope you recover fully and quickly. This spring, my 72 y/o sister fell exiting my fiver and landed on a dirt mount outside and fractured 5 ribs. These things are a little on the dangerous side. Thanks for a great idea for a landing zone...
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Old 07-27-2008, 11:54 AM   #7
ols1932
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Sorry to hear of Victoria's fall. Prayers are going up for her fast recovery.

Orv & Marge
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Old 07-27-2008, 12:24 PM   #8
HamRad
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Dave,

I am so sorry to hear of Victoria's injury! How awful. Please let her know we hope she recovers quickly and painlessly.
Please tell us more about the gel mats or post a picture. I'd be interested to know more about what you're talking about.

Dennis and Mary Kay
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Old 07-27-2008, 12:50 PM   #9
Mrs. CountryGuy
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We are soooooo sorry to hear about this. We will send forth as many good vibes as we can muster up.

Feel better RIGHT soon!
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Old 07-27-2008, 01:15 PM   #10
Dave e Victoria
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Thanks all for all of the kind words.
The gel mats are also called chef mats. They are only about 3/4 inch thick but a lot better surface than concrete, rocks or even hard ground. We plan to use a double thickness. The ones we have are in our kitchen at home. Vikki got them from a cooking supply catalog. Certainly not cheap at over $100.00 for an 18x30 inch pad. But much cheaper than a $22,000.00 helicopter ride etc., etc.
Anyway, please travel and camp safe
Dave
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Old 07-27-2008, 01:41 PM   #11
jrgwdenner
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Victoria, we are so sorry to hear about your fall and surgeries. We pray for your speedy recovery and are glad that you're home for your recovery.

We've heard of several incidents like this and have made a promise to ourselves that we will always use the handgrip when going down the stairs. Falls out of RVs seem to really take their toll on people with some amazingly serious injuries.
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Old 07-27-2008, 02:04 PM   #12
Parrothead
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we are so sorry to hear of Victoria's accident. We wish for a speedy recovery. I guess there is some advantage to being disabled because I always go down holding on and never take anything with me.
Happy trails......................
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Old 07-27-2008, 02:36 PM   #13
fulltimedreamer
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Sorry to hear of Victoria's fall. We will pray for a speedy recovery. We had my 76 year old parents with us in our coach for a few days. I helped my mom in and out everytime as she is a little wobbly.
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Old 07-27-2008, 02:45 PM   #14
Waynem
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God's speed on the mending process. So very sorry to hear about the fall.

I find it easier going down backwards, it's more natural and if I fall, there's a lot of padding back there if you know what I mean.
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Old 07-27-2008, 04:26 PM   #15
bigmurf
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I made a set of wood steps that come apart for travel. I only set them up if we are staying for a couple of weeks. They sure feel better than the OEM steps.
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Old 07-27-2008, 06:01 PM   #16
stiles watson
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Oh wow, after Dianna's broken leg and flight from Toronto to Houston for surgery, you have our understanding and empathy. It seemed impossible at the time, but with the help of friends and prayers of the MOCers and others, we made it through to recovery.

Today, we climbed trails and visited the Custer Battlefield. Dianna managed the event 10 months after the fall. I report this to say hang in there. Better times are ahead. Hope you never need the softer landing again.
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Old 07-28-2008, 02:02 AM   #17
Mudchief
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We are very sorry to hear about this and will pray for a speedy recovery.
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Old 07-28-2008, 04:39 AM   #18
hazmic
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I can relate to this quite well. I also fell out of the camper and now have a bionic leg. I think my shoe hooked on the little ledge and out I went. I broke my left lower leg in three places. I am now the proud owner of one clamp and one plate and fourteen screws and all in the left leg. I keep telling everyone that Mary pushed me but no one believes me. Victoria and I can say "Just be careful as we think it won't happen to us". Believe me it was so fast that it happened.
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