Dad's down... any prayers would be appreciated!

[HardKor]

We got a call on Memorial day from Ohio saying that we had better get there fast... My dad, who had been riding at his neighbors track, had taken a digger while jumping doubles on his new DRZ 400. I talked with the neighbor who was in the er room after the ambulance ride. Dad had come in to hot, let off too soon and come down head first. He wasn't breathing and had to have his helmet removed and was given CPR. He was lifeflighted to Columbus where he was diagnosed with several shatterred vertabrae in his neck. 2 weeks later, (a day before his 61st Birthday) he underwent surgery to repair and fixate his broken neck. He is fixated from C3 to T1. He is paralized from the neck down. We don't know how much, if any, movement or feeling will return. He was removed from the ventalator and the treach tube was removed this week. He is breathing on his own. Dad, a retired school teacher of 32 yrs, is one of the most positive people anyone could ever meet. He has a very strong faith. Infact, the church he is an active member of, has "DirtChurch", which is a service they have during a ride. The neighbor whose track Dad wrecked on, has 3 children, who witnessed the accident. I don't think any members of that family have been able to ride since then. Dad has been in the hosital now for 60 days... His new wife of only 2 yrs, has been by his side everyone of those days... reading him the bible and praying. The prayers are working. He is becoming stronger and is now breathing on his own again. He can shrug his shoulders and said he could feel me holding his hand. This has been a very difficult time for our family, as you can imagine. My wife, my boys (1 & 3), and myself all live in Colorado. We flew all night long and arrived in Columbus at 5:30 AM following the accident. I have flown back for a Saturday - Sunday visit. "Papa" can talk to the boys on the phone, now. We continue to say our prayers to "help Papa get better". My dad has been a very physically active person his entire life. He is an avid tennis player, who could destroy me on a court any day he picked. This is extremely difficult for him...He worries about all of us... My sister and her family are in Painesville, Ohio and visit as much as they can. My Grandma, now 92, gets down to see him whenever she can. His 2 brothers, the oldest who had prostate cancer surgery the day after Dad had his surgery, will be taking Grandma down, again. His youngest brother, who had prostate cancer surgery 2 years ago and is suffering the early stages of Ahlzheimers, can't drive that far, so he gets rides when Grandma can get rides. The whole family would appreciate an extra prayer or two. Dad is hopefully, going to be moved into Dodd Rehab Hospital, as soon as the bed sores heal enough. His church has been very supportive. Dad and RuthAnn are liquidating some assetts. Dad is selling his "baby" a 93 anniversary edition corvette, a motorhome that they haven't even used yet, the new Suzuki DRZ 400, the old Kawasaki KLX 300... If anyone might be interested, this would help out greatly. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Kory Kula
HardKor1@msn.com

[Tatonka]

Kory - really sorry to hear that about your Dad. It sounds like he has strong family support around him and now his family has just gotten bigger. Our thoughts and prayers are on the way. A positive outlook and faith goes a long way.

RiderDown has an Injured Rider Intake form that is used to collect information and what kind of help is needed, we will get one emailed to you right away. Please keep us posted here and give your Dad our best.

Take care,

BV

[50ccMoM]

Kory,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that we are praying for him and the rest of your family.

We are all here for you. Im glad you came here and shared your story with us.

Feel free to email me if you just need to vent !


Prayers from PA !

Angie

[jeremy68]

Just a quick note to say we're praying with you. I shattered C5/C6 a year ago and know that prayers work. Sometimes recovery seems slow but don't give up.

[HardKor]

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!
I read your story, Jeremy. I will share it with Dad the next time we talk. It will give him even more hope and encouragement. Good luck to you, and congratulations on how far you've come! I can't wait to see how far you go!
Kor

[Tatonka]

Kory - we just received the Intake form on your Dad, we will be in touch shortly. He sounds like a great man, our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his entire family.

Take care,

BV

[MontanaRider]

Kory

I am so sorry to hear of your dads extensive injuries. I just wanted to let you know that My family and I are praying for your dad and your family as I can only imagine what you and the rest of the family are feeling as well. It sounds like your dad is a fighter and thats what it takes to overcome, and it sounds like our Lord is in your corner. Take care and keep us updated on his progress.

John

[Gatlin5]

Kory,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. As I get a little closer to retirement myself I am looking forward to finally having some time to be able to do the things I enjoy like dirt biking and to think you can have it all taken away so quickly after working so hard for so long is so unfair. I am truly sorry you are all having to deal with this. Your dad sounds like an amazing person with a great attitude and a real zeal for life I wish him and your family all the best in these coming weeks and please accept my best wishes for the best of possible outcomes to this tragic accident.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with your dad and family during this crucial time.

God Bless,

Joe

[MxMom94]

Hi Kory

I'm very soory to hear of your Dad's accident. As you already know, the power of prayer is amazing, and I also believe there is a power in numbers--therefore, we will combine the two and have lots of folks keeping not only your father, but your entire family, in our prayers.

I know that having this Board is a great outlet, I've used it myself--please also feel free to personally email me if you'd like. There is a comfort in the feeling of knowing you can reach out to someone you haven't personally met, but feel you've known your entire life. You will find many of those people here.

Please keep us posted, and if there is anything we can do, please let me know. Also, if there is an address I can send a card to, please pass it on.

Thank you.
Dawn

[HardKor]

Thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers. Dad wanted me to let everyone know how much he appreciates them, too. For those of you who are encountering adversity and overcoming obstacles, we are all praying for you also.
Dad is hoping to get moved to Dodd Rehab Center at the Ohio State Univerity Hospital very soon. When he does, I'll post the address... He would really appreciate the cards!
Thanks!
Kor

[Gatlin5]

Kor,

Thanks for the update and that is fantastic news. Your dad is really doing well to be scheduled to move so quickly. If you read some of the other threads with this type of injury it can me so much longer and troublesome to get to this point, this is fantastic news. Will look forward to getting him a card off.

Thoughts and prayers continuing from here.

Joe

[50ccMoM]

Kor,

Im glad to hear that your father is doing well enough to be moved. That is good news.

Keep your chin up and check back often. I also look forward to getting a card out to your dad to lift his spirits a bit.

Prayers from PA !

Angie

[Wysong]

Kory,

Your Dad sounds like a great guy, hang in there buddy, you all are in my prayers.

David

[HardKor]

Dad is being moved to Dodd Rehab tomorrow! He told me today, that he watched the Nationals on tv that were here at Thunder Valley 2 weeks ago. I also told him that his 3 yr old grandson learned how to "peel out" on his PW 50 the night before. He is in good spirits, with a very positive and perservering attitude. Baby steps... but steps indeed! He appreciates all the support from riders and their families. I share with him on a daily basis, what goes on here at riderdown. His prayers are with all of you as well as his appreciation for yours for him and the family. I am expecting a call tomorrow after the move to get a new # and address. I'll post it when I know.
Thanks,
Kor

[HardKor]

I got a call today from Dad. He didn't tell us that his insurance had declined him going to Dodd Hall. He didn't want us to worry. I told him that I NEED to be in the loop on this kind of stuff! He proceeded to tell me how, at the last minute, he DID get in. Chalk it up to God thing...He and Ruth Ann mark their time by the small miracles that have continued to bless them through this progression. He is settled into Dodd Hall, where I'm sure, he will wear-out the therapists with his tenacity. He seems to be getting stronger in every regard. I'm not sure about how much progress he has had with feeling or movement, but we pray it comes.
68 days in the hospital and now on to the next step... I'm really proud of my dad and how he is handling this life change.

His address at Dodd Hall:

Gary Kula
Dodd Rehab Hospital, rm 3145
480 Med Center Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210

Thank you, again for your support, thoughts and prayers!
Kor

[Tatonka]

Kory, I was just thinking about you're Dad and wondering how he is doing. How is everything going at Dodd Rehab? Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Take care,

BV

[HardKor]

Dad is doing well! He has some movement in his left arm... enough that he should be able to operate a motorized wheelchair. His Jaw was broken in the accident and his right shoulder was very badly injured. He is stable, breathing on his own, eating on his own (with help), but most importantly, he is staying positive! The whole family is travelling to Ohio in 2 weeks to visit again. We are hoping he is out of the hospital and into an interim care facility.
Thank you for the thoughts and prayers... They are helping!
Kor

[50ccMoM]

Kor,

Thanks for the update on your dad. Im glad to hear that he is able to stay positive through all of this. He sounds like a wonderful man. It also sounds like he has a wonderful family that loves and cares for him deeply.

Stay strong and know that we are still praying for your father,you and the rest of your family.

Angie

[TwinTurbos]

Kor,

Glad to hear your dad has such a great attitude. The power of positive thinking is amazing! I hope you have a safe trip to Ohio and a great visit with your dad. Please let him know he's in many people's thoughts and prayers. (You and the rest of the family are too!) Take care and stay strong.

Amy

[Tatonka]

Kory - I'm so glad that your Dad is doing well, the visit from family is going to be huge for him! Have a safe trip & as always let your Dad know that we're thinking of him!

BV

[drbsandler]

Hi, I'm new to the forum today. Sorry to hear about you father, I hope he's doing OK. I also live in Evergreen and have 2 small kids (3 year old boy and 6 months old girl). I'm always looking for people to ride with, during the week preferably. I like to ride at Thunder Valley (novice mxer, but having fun), but always up for a trail ride too. I'm an ER Doctor so happy to give any adivice I can about your father.
Good luck with him and let me know if you want to get out and ride (or ski) together soon.
Take care,
Barry
cell 303.909.3884
:cheers:

[Gatlin5]

Welcome Barry, Thanks for jumping right in here. We look forward to having you participate. Kor as you know is right there in Evergreen and so is the RiderDown Headquarters.


Kor,

Glad to hear your dad is staying upbeat he sounds like quite a guy. He will be in our thoughts and prayers along with you and your entire family. God Bless!

Joe

[Tatonka]

Kor - how's your Dad doing?

[heaste]

Kory,
I can't believe I came across this terrible news about your dad. I remember him very well, he was so nice to me except when he beat us at tennis. I know how much you love him. It's so sad to hear that this happened to such a GREAT guy. I can't imagine the strength it has taken you and your entire family. I wish you all the best possible and will be checking in through this website.

All my best
Heather Steffey