It's Their Story

I have received emails over the last few months asking about my Brother Travis's accident. When the accident happened I didn't give very many details. I didn't feel as if it were my story to tell. I still feel as if it isn't my story to tell. However, I can share with you my Sister-in-law Rebecca's (Travis' Wife) account of that day as she posted on Travis's blog.

"June 10, 2009 was a day that changed our lives forever. The day started like any other, but ended upside down. Travis has always been an involved and loving father. He loves to take his girls with him fishing and hunting. He purposely seeks for one-on-one times to make them feel special. This was one of those times. It breaks our hearts it ended so traumatically, but we are lucky to still have our Travis--husband, father, brother, son, grandson, friend, and teacher. Travis and his daughter Emily were on a date. The motorcycle was always a fun one-on-one way to be together. They planned to go to Reed's Dairy, then out to Army Surplus. Emily still remembers eating a chocolate shake and buying her dad an ice cream cone. She does not remember anything afterwards. For that we are grateful.

The accident occurred by Dad's Truckstop. A left-turning truck pulled immediately in front of Travis and Emily who were southbound, heading for Army Surplus. Several people saw the accident and said Travis threw his arm back to protect Emily. Through miracles, the right people were there for them. Travis' leg was bleeding profusely and a man almost immediately on the scene, who had some medical training, was able to stop the bleeding with his belt. The belt had holes all the way around it--a belt he rarely wore. He saved Travis' life. We are forever family now.

Both Travis and Emily ended up in ICU. Both had head fractures and bruising. Both had severely broken right legs. Travis' was so shattered and the bleeding so unstoppable that his leg was removed to save his life. We are devastated for him, but every cloud has a silver lining. We can get him a new one.

Emily ended up with a plate and 10 screws in her right leg. She has steadily improved. She moved up to pediatrics two days after the accident. She was able to leave the hospital a week after the accident. She sees double at times, but that is improving. She will have her leg wrapped up/cast for about 6 more weeks.

Travis' injuries are extensive. The main focus has been his head injury. Everyday has seen small improvements...baby steps always in the right direction. Hope shines out. Know that your prayers are carrying us. There has been a tremendous outpouring of care and concern. We have been rocked in a cradle of love".

So, as you can see my family truly does have much to be grateful for. Rebecca has kept a blog since the accident to follow their progress. The address to that is www.walltravis.blogspot.com.