Broken Neck Buddies

Last Friday my longtime friend Abe, from Bismark, North Dakota, came to Minneapolis to get assessed regarding his ability to drive again. He's just like me - a C6 quad - but instead of breaking his neck in a diving accident like your truly (ouch), he just had really crappy luck. One day back in '96, while standing on a rocky ledge on a cliff by a river, the rock underneath him crumbled....making him fall into the river below, and yup, breaking his neck in the process.

I met Abe while we attended the same rehab center in '97 (nearly 11 years ago OMG). After he was discharged in '98, he moved back home to ND, and since he's poor and doesn't drive, I haden't seen him in over an entire decade....until last Friday that is. It was so bizarre seeing him last Friday. He called me from the driver's assessment place at 2pm. We had planned for me to come pick him up at 4pm, but his appointment got pushed till Sat. He was already ready for me. Overwhelmingly excited, I drove the short 15 minute ride to go get him, and there he was in all his quadified glory :) I had missed him so much, it was almost surreal seeing him.

I drive from my powerchair, but awesomely, my mini-van has plenty of room for another powerchair in back. Abe uses a powerchair too. So he just drove up my ramp, parked himself, and off we went. I brought him to my place. I made us vodka cranberries, took out the pre-made Laughing Cow cheese and cracker platter (with sliced peaches too). I showed him Wii Tennis, showed him the walk-bridge over the Mississippi in my back yard, then brought him back to his hotel in BFE suburbia.

It was great seeing Abe. Even though we only had a few hours together, they were sweet. And hopefully - if he ends up getting his coveted license a new van soon - it won't be another decade until I see him again.