Life's a bumpy road

Loren Heisel, HANG IN THERE!

Great things can come from your misfortune with your accident. I suffered a minor accident and found that I had several people who really cared for me and it has changed my life.

I had people tell me that I was oblivious and unresponsive to people around me at times. I finally made a doctor's appointment to investigate this. The appointment was scheduled for Monday following the Super Bowl in 2006. I was on my way to a friend's home that Sunday, when backing out of my driveway I suffered an attack and went down the grassy right of way in front of my home striking the mailboxes and across the street down the intersecting street and hit a neighbor's pickup causing minor damage. I then found myself inside my home in front of the computer thinking "Didn't I leave already?" I still have no recall of this incident.

I again gathered everything I was taking with me and again backed out my driveway and noticed a neighbor looking over the damaged post on the mailboxes. I asked her if she saw who hit the mailboxes and to my surprise she responded gruffly, "Yeah, you did, look at your car!" I got out and noticed the damage. She thought I had been drinking. She had called the police, but didn't notice I had pulled into my garage and she was surprised when I appeared again after she thought it was someone else.

The police arrived and immediately called the paramedics. They arrived and wanted me to go to the hospital, yet I refused. I took a taxi the next morning to the doctor and then was referred to a specialist and after several tests was diagnosed and given medication, for life, to control my problem.

I found the support of my family, friends and employer to be overwhelming! My friend and neighbor Bob replaced the post on the mailboxes, the neighbor with the pickup had minor damage and didn't ask for repair and most of all my friend and employer Scott Gardner helped me.

Scott hired Bill to drive me on my routes throughout western Montana and covered that additional expense with the understanding that if I was unable to continue I would have to give up my position. Bill was hired for a three-month period and it was extended to four months before I was finally given the OK to drive again by my doctors. I got my new driver's license in late June and must submit a doctor's report annually to the Department of Licensing.

With these acts of kindness I have re-evaluated my life, I find tears in my eyes while writing this. I found and married my sweetheart after being single for 55 years! I was hired by the new owners of the company when Scott sold his business, I've learned from Bill and everyone to take the time to enjoy life and all its bumps along the way.

So, Loren again, hang in there, it is amazing the things we learn in this bumpy road of life.

John Hensley is a Coeur d'Alene resident.