Back in May 9th 2010, It’s about 0430, and I just gotten back from a Fungawa damn run, up on route 2. Okinawa, Japan of course. Afterwards, I went through American Village to see if anyone might be around. My friend and I watched a couple argue over who was going to drive, then we left the area where I made this turn near the Jean Shop to go on 58; and out of no-where were a lot of Bosozoku (motorcycle gangs).

One of them was circling the intersection where I was trying to make a turn. Since it did not appear he was going to leave, I waited until I could make the turn safely.

When I made the turn, the cyclist started chasing me with a long pole hitting my car; then several more of these guys started chasing me. I sped up trying to get away, but their lighter vehicles kept up and they kept harassing me.

Me trying not to get hit by them or hitting them, I hit the median, where I was knocked out. Keep in mind, I'm a Marine so perposely hitting them would result in being my fault and an international incident.

I know it's late to break the news, but there you have it.

Pictures here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2925653/1996-nissan-180sx/page-11

sad to hear the news!

how are you getting by on typing? hunt and peck?

This is some sad sad news... How is your physical therapy going?

For their sake, I hope those members of the biker gang find Jesus because there's a special place in Hell for people who cause this kind of pain and suffering!

Too sad for words.

Good luck, Rudel, and thanks for your service as a Marine. What's the prognosis with the quadriplegia? Do they feel it's permanent or is there some hope of eventual improvement?

Incurring a heavy disability is tough, but in my own experience, you adjust with time and life goes on. Hang in there!

Cheers!

Rick...

Very sorry to hear of your injury, Rudel. Thank you for sharing this news with us. I wish you all the best in your recovery, you will be in my prayers.

My best wishes Rudel.
One day at a time.

Very sorry to hear about your incident let alone the challenges you have ahead of you. Were you not able to use your cell phone to notify authorities you were being harassed. I had an incident of road rage couple of weeks ago on my way to work and snapped a picture of the driver and acted like I was dialing and they backed off.
Be strong, I hope the best for your recovery.

I'm so very sorry, Rudel and I wish the best recovery possible.

This is so outrageous - and grievous harm. Have you no recourse within the law? Civil law suit if not criminal?? You know you have SimHQ pulling for you.

Rudel, I am so sorry to hear that. I hope that things improve for you and you recover as much as possible.

Very sorry to read of this. All the best for your recovery.

At a loss for words.

Woah, that's pretty hard, I got robbed by a drug addict lately but thankfully I got out okay.

Was your friend still in the car?

I suppose legal action would be hard and your focus should be on recovering as well as possible(physically and mentally), take Sauron's advice to heart and don't give up.
Easier said than done but worth it.

On a legal note, if someone hits your car with some object it should be legal to drive into them, no matter who or where you are, I have a lot of respect for your attempt to keep the cool and look at the bigger picture though.

Wish you all the best for your recovery!

Aw man! I'm so sorry. Best wishes on your recovery.

Sorry to hear this Rudel. You'll be in my prayers tonight. Thank you for serving our country.
Pescador

sorry to hear, i know back injurys suck, hope you make a full recovery

Terrible news, I really hope you'll make a full recovery quickly!

I am sorry that you have been injured Rudel. I will be saying a prayer for your recovery.

Z

Sorry to hear Rudel, we hope for your recovery and that they bring justice to the idiots who were harassing you, from what I've heard, the police are not fans of those ridiculous motorcycle groups.

I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Rudel. And hoping that justice is served in the end.

Rudel,
I read this and all I could utter was hoooooleey poop. I've known you since you were 16, before you joined the Marines. Unbelieveable. I surely hope they catch those bastards and put them away for a LOOOOONG time! Keep at the physical theropy. I know it gets tough, but you know what they say, pain is weakness leaving the body.

S/F

Ken

Ghost I know what your sayin bud known Rudel for years, just saddens me that #%&*$# idiot #%&*$# that are in this world would do something like this. Rudel like ghost was saying bud keep after it and you will get better.

This kind of news is just jaw dropping sad. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I hope that real justice finds those batards.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers everyone! It's definitely been a shock to me also, but I'm trucking long now. Ten months have past since my injury and have ganged a lot of strength back in my arm. My left arm is just lacking the tricept function along with wrist extension. I have lots of finger twitches on my right hand so hopefully I get more function later.

By the time the car cashed all the bikers left the scene. I could call the Japanese police but their system is rather don't pursue to cause road accidents similar to American chase scenes.

That is truly sick. A buddy of mine who was only on the Rock for a few weeks went souvenir hunting and tried taking something apart on an abandoned military site and it was under pressure, exploding and blinding him permanently. I don't know what is worse, that or your injury. I can not begin to imagine the change you must make in your lifestyle and mental attitude. May God have mercy on you.

Damn that is rough. I'll keep you in my prayers. Hopefully you will get more function back in that arm.

Rudel,

Very sorry to hear this. Best wishes to you.
S!

Rudel, I am so sorry to read this.

In addition to your physical tragedy, it must have been emotional hell trying to get away from those vermin and save the car you worked on so much and had great pride in. Those who love doing extra care work on their car know what I mean. If you haven't seen Rudel's car, look at the photo link in post 1 and you'll see his care for the car.

If you don't mind my asking... When are you returning to the states? Hopefully family is there with you.

best wishes for your recovery.

Sorry to hear that, Rudel. Sending good karma your way and wishing you strength. Stay plugged in here if you ever need some support or just a laugh.

That's highly weak. Get better.

Im having a hard time finding the words...

Thank you for your service.

I hope the thing that did this to you burns to death while conscious.

I hope to see more of you around here

You'll be in my prayers, Rudel.

I'm sorry for what happened to you and I truly hope those bastards get what's coming to them.

good idea! let this be an example to us all about the dangers involved at high speeds.

We were not even at high speeds, I was barely in 3rd gear after I made the left turn.....

My friend made it unscaved. For those that asked, I've been in Tampa, FL since July.

Okay buddy. We're all your friends here.

Continue to make progress in your recovery and let us know how you're doing.

We are with you.

Best of luck with the recovery. I've enjoyed your skinning work for a long time. Keep a positive attitude and we are all sending good vibes your way.

BeachAV8R

Very sorry and angry to hear what happened. I pray for your speedy recovery.

Your strength of character is demonstrated by your life's path, your service to country, the care for your fellow man, the passion for your art. It will serve you well through this difficult time.
Praying for your full recovery.

S!

edit...then we should take a lesson from the dangers of being chased at ANY speed!!


My Word!! then that car must have been a deathtrap! I am glad you and your friend survived with your life!

Me too. the second I hit the curb, we were knocked out. It's probably what saved our lives.

Next week I will start a more rigerous therapy to activate those leg muscles. Who knows, i may walk again.

Stay positive mate. I hope you'll one day fully recover. Remember that we're always here for you.

The crush damage on that car is unbelievable. The passenger is way fortunate to have survived.

Take care Rudel, all the best. And please, keep checking in with us.

If I were a bettin' man, I'd say that car was made in Japan, for Japan. Not an export. Keep at it Rudel!

In my time I've seen a car literally torn in half after colliding with a pole. It was a Buick.

Very sorry to hear your news, wish you a speedy recovery and the strength to push through this setback.

pardon my language, but F-yeah, you WILL walk again!

go for it!

BTW if that is a Japanese model car, then I think it is right hand drive so Rudel would have been in that side of the car...

Keep up the hard PT work Rudel, we're all keeping positive thoughts for you and the body can do amazing things to recover.

I am praying for your speedy and full recovery.

It looked like a right hand drive to me.

Best wishes on your recovery Rudel.


Wheels

Ah, my American prejudice again. Absolutely, if the driver, Rudel, is in the right seat, it's amazing. That's some powerful crush going on there.

Wow, I just saw this and was kind of shocked by the cause of your accident. I wish you all the best for the future. I cannot imagine how you must feel going from an active healthy Marine to someone in your current state. Even worse as it didn't happen in combat, where you might expect to be seriously maimed. I didn't know such biker gangs existed in Japan, proper sicko stuff going on. You will forever be a Marine, sir, while those biker thugs will forever rot in hell at your mercy. Semper Fi!

Appreciate guys, thanks for the motovation!

It is a right hand drive car, so the picture you see is where I sat. Since I hit sideways, I always wonder that if I didnt where my belt, if my neck wouldn't have broken.

OMG. That is horrendous. About the seat belt, I think you were wise to have one. There's an old vehicle safety video series called "Room to Live" that talks about seat belts and how they save lives. People talk about about being saved by being thrown out of a car, but that's rare. Damn rare.

Take care man, we're with you.

Thought you guys might like am update.....

Recovery is going great. Still redundant though. I started at a new place when I'm not at the VA therapy. It's a satellite gym from Project Walk.

http://www.projectwalk.org/

They had me up on a spinning bike the other day. I can tolerate being in a standing frame for at least 30 min now. I'm down to 1 low-blood-pressure pill a day now. I can sit on my own as long as someone pulls me up first. I'm still working on getting up on my own and transferring in/out out my wheel chair. My strength has improved a lot, but without my left triceps it can be hard to do simple things like go up ramps or transfer for the matter.

Hang on Rudel. Looks like really big progess you've made there. Keep it up that way. I wish you the best for the upcoming times mate.

You seem to be making fantastic progress, keep it up. I think that I probably speak on behalf of everyone here when I say we wish you all the very best and appreciate you keeping us informed.

I wish you the best Rudel and thanks for keeping us updated.

Good progress Rudel, we all wish you the best in your recovery.

Hang in there Rudel things will keep getting better. Keep us posted and let us know how things are going. And be patient with the VA - I know what that's like sometimes, LOL!

Cheers!

Rick...

Hang in there Rudel! Will keep praying for your recovery.

Nowi

Keep working at it.

Please keep us informed on how you are doing.

Thanks for the update. Prayers for your continued recovery.


Wheels

Glad to hear your recovery is going so well!!! Thanks for the update, keep them coming.

I sincerely hope you have a full recovery.

Rudel, Shocking news.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, good look with everything bro.

This is another reason I think we should bring our bases back to the US. We have bases in so many different countries, let them defend themselves, let us worry about us. Sorry to hear about this and I hope you recover and are doing fine. This pisses me off and makes me very sad at the same time.

Iwo?



Rudel,

I am so sorry to hear that. It makes all my health issues seem trivial. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Great to hear the progress Rudel, keep up the positive thoughts and will to get well.

Great news on your progress. Best wishes.

Everyone, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.....

VA here in Florida is treating me good. The Marine liaison is doing their job...haha

Rudel, I think that may well be a "Caption this image" post!

But seriously, congratulations on what you have achieved and I sincerely wish for your recovery to continue.

All the best from Australia.

Regards,

Peter.

Glad to see you up! I hope you make continued progress...and keep us updated...!

BeachAV8R

Thanks for the update! You look in very good spirits from the pic! keep up the good work, soldier!!

Remember Sgt ______________ (name withheld to protect the innocent ),



Keep goin'!

Marine!!

Rudel, I know we don't know each other from 'Adam', but believe me when I say I wish you all the best in your recovery.....and I mean that with the utmost sincerity. You are taking this in a brave and positive way and I don't know if I could do the same. I admire that man.

I know its easy to just say 'token words' etc, but believe me mate I mean it. I am in awe.

Best regards Rudel, people you don't even know are with you man. All the best and keep it up.

Mark.

You know Peter...I read some good replies on other boards I belong too...lol feel free to add some....hahaha

Beach & Pat, thank you....for my next therapy, it's to get my hands around a Joystick again. After all, it's only fitting!

Ken....I miss my zone for SSgt because they closed it for promotion last year! Uhg...hopefully its open this year!

Mark, thank you very much. It's great giving other people hope, courage, motivation...despite my condition.

Good to see you on your feet, keep it up!

Its good to see you smiling man. Keep up the good work

Nice to see your progress, Rudel - keep it going!

Never give up man, my little sister is has been recovering from a traumatic brain injury for 3 years now and she's gone a long way from the grim outlook they gave her early on. She too was involved in a nasty car accident, she lost control and smashed into sand barrels on an off ramp, car didn't have side airbags and her head went through the drivers window. The didn't think she would live early on, now she's walking with a walker and making other huge progressions.

Rudel,

Thank you for the update. Will keep praying for your progress.

Thanks for the update, Rudel! If you don't mind the impolite question, what are the prognoses for a (full) recovery now?

I'd be happy about that girl in front of me... But that big fellow behind me would be a bit scary...

All the best for your recovery.

I was a way for a while and did not see this post originally. I'm very sorry for what has happened but I'm happy that you are fighting and making progress. Good luck on that road.

I'd call it being teased by a stunning lady.


Best wishes on continued recovery.

w00t!

And that, gentleman, is Semper Fidelis defined.

Go, Devil Dog, go!

I wish you the best mate, hope to see you soon in the air, and don't forget: Positive Thoughts, ALWAYS!!!

S!

Thank you everyone, progress is being made. I just hope know my nerves will grow accordingly so I will walk and stand on my own.

Rudel, when you are up for a visitor send me a PM and we'll make arrangements.

Hi Rudel,
I haven't read the whole thread: I can't and, I couldn't read the whole article that you posted: it bothers me.
All I can say is you really deserved to be treated better than that. There should be a "special" place in hell
for those "animals". From one soldier to another, GOD Bless You. And finally, if I may be so bold, please look at :Philippians chapter 4 verse 4 thru' 8

Jaeger

Everyone thank you!

Arm Strengthening


Hand Therapy


More Win!


Show Stopper





http://youtu.be/Lx_CJug993M

Go man go! Bless you!

Good on ya!

When you walk out after your last session you're gonna kick the bloody door down!

Yeah buddy! GO RUDEL!

Cheers!

Rick...

Fantastic! And that is an understatement!

Thanks for the support. I'll be kicking down the doors when I walk out!

That's bloody good work! Keep going!

Rudel - I've known real tough guys, hard men, strong men...all during my life time.
Seen some very brave things, done by very brave men. Then I retired.

A few years ago I met a guy about 25 years old, he was working in a country feed store, the clerk. He was in a wheel chair, paralyzed from the waist down, crushed in a farming accident. He will 'never' walk again.

We got to be friends, I admired him so much, his ability to put aside his disability and continue on, pushing and struggling with everyday life. Never letting it beat him. It amazed me to see the strength in him, made me feel like I'd never really known 'strong'.

We became good friends, I can only eat 'wild game' animal meat, and don't want to kill the animal (deer, turkey)...so he does it for me.
Men, I could shoot, animals I just won't.
I take him out and set him up in 20 foot high blinds, and he shoots, I spot.
I have a canoe, we ride the river and fish once in a while. He has never felt sorry for himself, or 'not' been in a positive mood. I'm usually 'down'. He's my hero. Just being around him, is therapy for me. I've never walked away sad.
He's really something to see.

'Strong'.....is a very complex word.
We're all still learning.

Looking damn good Rudel!! This is trully amazing!

I'm sure the nice lady touching your buttocks is pretty helpful there!

Yeah, keep going Rudel, good to see some progress!

Great Job Rudel. We're all pulling for you.

Inspiring.

Rudel,

Great job! Will keep praying for your full recovery.

Go Rudel!

Thanks for the updates

Hell yea just keep working at it and im sure you will conquer this.

Nice work Rudel! Your dedication to working to expand your capabilities, and the capabilities you've already achieved, are very inspiring!

Good read Murphy. Your friend must be a great guy. I hope I can do the same for others. I looked at video's of people walking after a spinal cord injury...whether they were helped or not. But now it's my turn to show other fresh injured patients it can be done!

Thank you all for the support! I'm glad I can be of help to all in one way or another...

It's good to see you're still making progress and posting back here.

Keep it up, try to never give up.

Don't give up!

We will never get Chaddog or PositiveG back but, the way you threw your arms up in that video was a pleasant surprise so, I know you will be back in the virtual pit in no time

I hope you have continued success. You are obviously not a quadriplegic anymore. I would change the thread title to "Just a flesh wound"

Inspirational. I too was very happy to see you moving your arms like that.. Fantastic!

Keep goin' Rudel! Remember, one for the Corps, one for Chesty (where ever he is )... Great progress, keep goin tho!

Wow, I missed the video before.

Great work Rudel!

WoW! I'm impressed. How are your arms doing?

I am so amazed by your progress and spirit. Really.

Think I'm going to have to remember you during any "rough" times that I find myself in.

Great!

I hope your hard work will bring even more success!

wow, your arms are moving fast!
How strong are they? (what kind of objects are you able to take/lift with them?)

Keep up the good work, soon you'll walk again

And you'll be able to do with the door again

Very sorry, from all of us. Hang tough. We are thinking of you.

I have a lot of replies to attend too..hsha





SimHQ is like a big family here with full of support........Never will give up...thank you!






I was just thinking about those guys recently, and can't believe how lucky I am. I gotta be doing something now. No flesh wounds here odly enough. Not a scratch on me from the accident....you'd never know!




Ive been doing a bunch for the 531, you gotta catch up!...lol



Thanks!





My right arm is 100% normal other than my fingers not working. They move slightly but to currled up to really do anything.

Left arm is not so lucky. The clavical and scapula both broke leaving my arm's muscles to deminish. My bicep is 100% now, and I say my tricep is 20% working. The bicep over powers it a lot.

I can only move my left wrist in one direction while it flops to the other side...lol

I can pic up maybe 20lbs in each arm now with loop-hole straps to put my wrists through. Small bottles, phones, keyboard, mouse, etc...no problems.



Thank you, think about those guys in the desert first



Working to drive again real soon!



Thanks Dragon, good to see an active JF18 squad. I'll fly soon enough with my iPad app.

Who would of thought? Oh to play that power chord again!

Damn, I missed the pics and video on page 10 before but have just seen them. Wow, this stuff is really moving and inspirational.

I really feel for you, and I think your situation is all the more poignant because you are so young and in the USMC but your horrific injuries were caused while NOT in combat or anything, but by such a senseless bunch of people.

This comes from someone who would not even perhaps be half as strong as you, and doing what you're doing, so it's a bit of an insult coming from me... but please, please keep it up and keep posting back here.

THIS is the reason I love SimHQ, and makes all those moments where people here get into stupid arguments and debates seem so insignificant. YOU are the reason that we should all thank for how lucky we are.

If there is ever anything, anything at all, that you think I can help with, please don't hesitate for even a moment to ask.

Keep up that fantastic work, and don't give them nurses too much trouble!

Semper Fi.

Continual progress - that's great! I'm sure you'll play that power chord soon.

Just a few updates, but not much...My left tricept continues to get stronger. My left shoulder is really tight too, but it's getting better. The video is me, more or less doing push-ups from the shoulders.




I officially medically retired from the USMC Sept 30, and just celebrated 236 years of sacrifice with the USMC Central Command Ball.

HOOYAH Rudel! Glad to see you're making such great progress. Keep up the fight!

Excellent progress! You have such great inner strength, and it shows.

WTG Mike!

Strong work!

Wow Rudel you are kicking ass, keep it up, good to see your progress.

Way to keep fighting for every bit of recovery! I won't imagine or act like I know what it is like, but I can relate when they rebuilt my knee and after 6 months of rehab being told I'd never run again. I had to work on it on my own and do run regularly now. You have the spirit and the drive.

It must have been a heart breaking moment when you were medically discharged. My brother managed to duck the official discharge from the Army for nearly 8 months before they told him that he would be released that day. I remember him calling me and breaking down about it.

Great to see you continue to make excellent progress Rudel, keep it up man you are getting there. All the best in your recovery from Merry Olde England, everyone is rooting for you and you are doing so well. You have a great positive attitude which is inspiring, and its clearly holding you in good stead. Looks like you have some great folk around you too.

Cheers, Mark.

Great to see the progress Rudel, our best wishes for your future.
I used to play Amercan Football against some marines from our local US Navy base, they are a well motivated and determind company of people, and your determination is an insperation to us all. Keep up the hard work.

Alistair.

Good to see progress.
I will press my thumb for you (=wish you good luck :))
Keep up the good work!

Inspiring Rudel

Inspirational!
S!

Great work Rudel!

Congratulations with your progress, Rudel!

Congratulations on your progress Rudel.


Wheels

Dude you're kickin' ASS and takin' NAMES! That exit door ain't gonna know what hit it after your last session!!!

Really great progress Rudel! You never cease to amaze me, mate. Keep up the good work, and as I said before, you'll be up and kicking asses in no time!

Hey man,

Keep up the good work. Wishing you all the best from the great white north!

You're an inspiration to us all.

Damn! What an absolute inspiration you are!

Great job!

Good job on the progress Rudel