Michael Schumacher hurt skiing

[asterix]

Having no memory of this myself, it was up to my wife to point out the massive difference between the media attention given to Michael Schumacher now and that given to me in January 2010 when I was in exactly the same boat (although my adventure didn't involve skiing). The other massive difference is the outcome in cases of head injuries/brain damage in different individuals. The poor guy in the next intensive care bed to mine has still not made anything like a 'full recovery' and has still not returned to work. The disappearance of pop music lyrics from my memory bank is the only lasting legacy for me. The 'case' involving the worst actor in living memory who is in Coronation Street is as far removed from actuality, it's laughable. So there's literally no way at this stage to predict Michael Schumacher's prognosis with any accuracy.

My own skull fracture and sub-dural haematoma was perhaps less severe than Schumacher's since I needed no surgery to stop the bleeding.

When I awoke I was unaware that I was unable to make myself understood for some time. My vision was also impaired in a rather bizarre way and although I could recognise printed words my memory was so bad I could not understand a sentence. By the time I reached its end I had forgotten how it started. I have memories of some very strange and vivid dreamlike experiences during my recovery. I've no memory of the impact at all although I was apparently conscious for some time afterwards. Since no body told them, the media totally overlooked my misfortune I am very pleased to say.

I think it is often not possible for someone to self-assess the consequences of such a head injury or recognise a full recovery without help. In my case I had a neuro-psychological test 3 years after that lasted several hours and revealed the cognitive areas that had been affected. Quite useful stuff since once you know the problem you can try to find ways around it. I now know I never will be able return to the work that I used to do and was lucky enough to be awarded a sum to compensate me for that.

I certainly agree it's likely to be a long time before the extent of Michael Schumacher's recovery is known.

 

[ColinJ]

I suffered some brain damage when rendered unconscious by a roomful of carbon monoxide about 10 years ago. For a while, my speech was slurred (even when sober!) and I forgot the names of my nieces and nephew. At first, I could not even string a whole sentence together. I spoke v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.

I recovered pretty well, though I am still slow-witted compared to what I used to be like. I am also now forgetful, repetitive, suffer from motion sickness and sometimes type phantom words in the middle of my posts when my mind wanders. I double-check everything so most of the mistakes are picked up before you get the chance to see them.

Those of you who have met me, or read a lot of my posts will probably have already realised that something isn't quite right with me. Since none of you knew me before the CO incident, I am going to use that as my excuse, and none of you can prove otherwise!

As for Schumacher - I'm sure he is getting the best medical care, and he is fit and a fighter so he stands as good a chance as anyone of recovering from an injury like this. I hope that he does.

 

[PaulB]

My own skull fracture and sub-dural haematoma was perhaps less severe than Schumacher's since I needed no surgery to stop the bleeding.

When I awoke I was unaware that I was unable to make myself understood for some time. My vision was also impaired in a rather bizarre way and although I could recognise printed words my memory was so bad I could not understand a sentence. By the time I reached its end I had forgotten how it started. I have memories of some very strange and vivid dreamlike experiences during my recovery. I've no memory of the impact at all although I was apparently conscious for some time afterwards. Since no body told them, the media totally overlooked my misfortune I am very pleased to say.

I think it is often not possible for someone to self-assess the consequences of such a head injury or recognise a full recovery without help. In my case I had a neuro-psychological test 3 years after that lasted several hours and revealed the cognitive areas that had been affected. Quite useful stuff since once you know the problem you can try to find ways around it. I now know I never will be able return to the work that I used to do and was lucky enough to be awarded a sum to compensate me for that.

I certainly agree it's likely to be a long time before the extent of Michael Schumacher's recovery is known.

Like Schumacher, I stood up from the incident and protested furiously at the cheek of the paramedics to require me to go in their ambulance. Had it not been for my wife (a senior nurse - so she tends to know about these things) I would be either not here or in a very bad way right now.

They put me in an induced coma for nine days and then they nicknamed me Steve McQueen due to my attempts to 'escape' my imprisonment from the units/wards once I was weened off life support. I also chucked away any attempts made by well-meaning friends and relatives to re-connect me to my past such as them bringing me photo albums, familiar songs on MP3s, programmes from football matches etc. I was also fully aware that I was good at questions on Eggheads, Mastermind, Uno (you do call University Challenge 'Uno', don't you?) and Countdown yet was mystified why I couldn't answer the simplest of simple questions post-incident even when I knew I did know the answer but couldn't bring it to mind or speak it out when it was 'there'. I wasn't in the least worried about this, just curious as to how it would pan out.

Physically, my wife tells me I cried on catching my arse and legs in a mirror as I'd lost all my previous muscularity. But physically, everything has gone back to exactly how it was pre the fall including one thing I didn't want, the belly! I've now gone back to my previous self but am still aware of my room mate who was nowhere near as fortunate as me. Although I regard what happened to me in the first place as very unfortunate and should never have happened at all.

 

[PK99]

I suffered some brain damage when rendered unconscious by a roomful of carbon monoxide about 10 years ago. .

without wishing to pry... how did that happen?
I'd like to avoid it happening to me....

 

[tyred]

without wishing to pry... how did that happen?
I'd like to avoid it happening to me....

Some sort of faulty heating appliance I should guess.

My parents were very lucky to escape from a similar situation, they were actually saved by the cat. My Dad had fallen asleep on the sofa and my mum was watching TV. My dad was awaken by the cat squealing and sinking her claws into his arm, he felt sick and light-headed and couldn't understand why and then noticed my mum was unconscious and he managed to carry her outside before phoning me. All caused by incorrectly assemblied boiler that had been serviced three hours previously by a qualified technician!

 

[tyred]

Oh, and I wish Schumacher a full recovery. Always been a huge fan.

 

[ColinJ]

without wishing to pry... how did that happen?
I'd like to avoid it happening to me....

The full story is in this thread!

 

[ColinJ]

My parents were very lucky to escape from a similar situation, they were actually saved by the cat. My Dad had fallen asleep on the sofa and my mum was watching TV. My dad was awaken by the cat squealing and sinking her claws into his arm, he felt sick and light-headed and couldn't understand why and then noticed my mum was unconscious and he managed to carry her outside before phoning me. All caused by incorrectly assemblied boiler that had been serviced three hours previously by a qualified technician!

Blimey! I hope the idiot in question was called to account for his (her?) negligence?

 

[rich p]

I haven't a near-death experience to mention.

 

[Adam4868]

Hope he makes a speedy recovery,to all those who think its taking up too much of your airtime.Turn over,theres plenty of repeats on this xmas......

 

[bigjim]

I think everybody wishes him a full recovery no matter who he is.
I'm amused though by some of the comments in the papers. I realise it is a sad situation but complete strangers talk of him as if he was a personal loved one. I guess it is the modern cult of celebrity. They seem more concerned than if it was one of the neighbours or a workmate. Very strange.
I also wonder if a top brain surgeon would have been flown in from Paris if it was one of us.

 

[Adam4868]

Get real,welcome to the 21st century of youve got money you get better service simple

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

T'was ever thus.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Just an observation not an invite for another pointless route march into futility and name calling on helmets.

I see Beverley Turner has used the Schumacher accident to push her and James C's helmets for all viewpoint in the Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/acti...-not-just-skiers-who-should-wear-helmets.html

Please feel free to copy and paste the telegraph link into a new thread in H&H if you feel a desperate urge to agree or disagree with her views. *or add it to srw's Skiing vs cycling bunfight*

 

[asterix]

I think everybody wishes him a full recovery no matter who he is.
I'm amused though by some of the comments in the papers. I realise it is a sad situation but complete strangers talk of him as if he was a personal loved one. I guess it is the modern cult of celebrity. They seem more concerned than if it was one of the neighbours or a workmate. Very strange.
I also wonder if a top brain surgeon would have been flown in from Paris if it was one of us.

Must admit I do not read newspapers much as they contain so much manipulative drivel.

WRT celebrity status.

My sister-in-law who moved to France c.2000 was a chronic invalid. She bought into the French Health service in the normal way, an insurance policy affordable even on a very modest income despite her poor health. The treatment she received was really first class and she spent
a lot of time in Limoges hospital where they literally saved her life on 3 occasions. Her last emergency was in the dead of winter when it was impossible to get the normal ambulance to her and had to send the air-ambulance which landed in their garden. The authorities did send a bill that time - four euros.

We have no doubt that the French health service, in the Limousin at least, is better than the NHS and kept my s-i-l alive years longer than she would have survived in the UK. Last time I travelled through Orleans they were constructing a massive new hospital in that dynamic city regardless of any financial crisis! No doubt the new 75% income tax on top footballers (among others) will contribute.