pedxing
Member
My home town paper published a follow up story on my injuries and recovery, and I responded with a letter to the editor. Included in my heroes to thank list was alpinezone. Since this is a small paper no one hear reads, I thought I'd share it:
Thursday, January 13, 2005
I want to thank you for the kind article about me which appeared in the Dec. 30 Chronicle. The interview and the article gave me a chance to reflect on my experience of the last year.
Despite the burns, the smoke inhalation and the months spent in hospital and rehabilitation, I feel both lucky and grateful. I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness and support I have received. My heroes have been extraordinary and plentiful. While my wife, Ellen, and my entire family have been absolutely wonderful, I am also indebted to many friends and neighbors, to the leadership and congregation of the Hope Fellowship Church, to the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School community and to circles of fellow backpackers and hikers (including members of online communities such as thebackpacker.com, viewsfromthetop.com, alpinezone.com and the AMC Web site, who visited me in the hospital and sent many cards and letters).
From the firefighters and EMTs, to the staff of the burn unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and the people at Spaulding Hospital and Mount Auburn Hospital, to my insurance adjustor and the people working to restore my home, I have been the lucky recipient of great care and professionalism. I have also been moved by the warmth and support of Burn Survivor support networks, especially the Phoenix Society and George Pessotti's survivor support groups.
Even while waiting for my home to be rebuilt, I am feeling as deeply at home in Cambridge as I have at any time since I first arrived as a newborn at Shaler Lane, around the corner from where I am now staying. From a statement of support and concern by the City Council, to a joint hospital visit from the principal of CRLS and my son (who is a student there), to repeatedly finding that my neighbors, the Walshes, had kindly put away the trash and recycling containers we set out as we tried to sort through and dispose of things at the damaged house, there have been constant reminders that I am securely embedded in a caring and supportive community. Many are those who have watched over all of us during the most difficult times.
On another note, I have learned the importance of having a clear household contingency plan for fires and similar events, and have become acutely aware of the risks related to candles. I have recently learned that candle-related fires have doubled in 15 years. I urge everyone reading this to take a few moments to think about both of these things.
DAVID VOGEL
The story: http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=154541
Thursday, January 13, 2005
I want to thank you for the kind article about me which appeared in the Dec. 30 Chronicle. The interview and the article gave me a chance to reflect on my experience of the last year.
Despite the burns, the smoke inhalation and the months spent in hospital and rehabilitation, I feel both lucky and grateful. I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness and support I have received. My heroes have been extraordinary and plentiful. While my wife, Ellen, and my entire family have been absolutely wonderful, I am also indebted to many friends and neighbors, to the leadership and congregation of the Hope Fellowship Church, to the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School community and to circles of fellow backpackers and hikers (including members of online communities such as thebackpacker.com, viewsfromthetop.com, alpinezone.com and the AMC Web site, who visited me in the hospital and sent many cards and letters).
From the firefighters and EMTs, to the staff of the burn unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and the people at Spaulding Hospital and Mount Auburn Hospital, to my insurance adjustor and the people working to restore my home, I have been the lucky recipient of great care and professionalism. I have also been moved by the warmth and support of Burn Survivor support networks, especially the Phoenix Society and George Pessotti's survivor support groups.
Even while waiting for my home to be rebuilt, I am feeling as deeply at home in Cambridge as I have at any time since I first arrived as a newborn at Shaler Lane, around the corner from where I am now staying. From a statement of support and concern by the City Council, to a joint hospital visit from the principal of CRLS and my son (who is a student there), to repeatedly finding that my neighbors, the Walshes, had kindly put away the trash and recycling containers we set out as we tried to sort through and dispose of things at the damaged house, there have been constant reminders that I am securely embedded in a caring and supportive community. Many are those who have watched over all of us during the most difficult times.
On another note, I have learned the importance of having a clear household contingency plan for fires and similar events, and have become acutely aware of the risks related to candles. I have recently learned that candle-related fires have doubled in 15 years. I urge everyone reading this to take a few moments to think about both of these things.
DAVID VOGEL
The story: http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=154541
