A recent story has garnered some national attention regarding a young hunter who fell from a tree stand, broke his neck and died. That alone is tragic, however, the events that took place leading up to his passing are very sad and have left me with mixed feelings.
For those unaware with the story, Tim Bowers, 32 years old, married and with a child on the way, fell 16 feet from his tree stand on Saturday, crushing his C3, C4 and C5 vertebrae, rendering him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He was sedated and placed on a ventilator to assist him in breathing.
On Sunday, he asked to be taken off the ventilator so he could die. His request was granted.
When I first learned of this story, I was inundated with flashbacks of the days immediately following my injury. While it is still nearly impossible for me to make any linear sense of the events that transpired while I laid in a bed in a Kalamazoo hospital, I still remember most of them. It’s just that to this day I still cannot place them in any logical order. If I want to remember any kind of sequence I need to go back and read journal entries.
My time in the Bronson Hospital ICU still haunts me. The constant fear, confusion, sadness and pain that never left me does not make for a very comforting bedtime story. I would hate to think what it would’ve been like had I not been surrounded by those I love to keep me reassured. If anyone can appreciate how scary Tim Bowers’ situation must’ve been, I can. As can the many others who have been there. The immediate days following such a dramatic accident are unlike nothing else. But they don’t last.
The parallels between Tim’s situation and mine are many:
We both damaged our spinal cord at the C3 level.
He was 32. I was 33.
We were both married.
Our injuries occurred about 70 miles apart (the hospitals we were taken to 120 miles apart).
We were both asked if we wanted to go on living.
I said yes.
And that is where our stories diverge on different paths. I want to preface my comments, by saying that I am not in any way casting judgment on him or his family. But what really impacts me about this story is that he made his decision just barely a day after his accident, having spent the previous day in a sedated state. While I was sedated, I did not respond well to the drugs I was given which left me with horrific hallucinations, Parkinson’s-like symptoms and a trapped feeling from which I feared I would never escape. I would like to think that Tim experienced nothing like this while being sedated. And while I respect his decision, as it was his to make, I question whether or not enough time was given to him before making the decision. This is a very slippery slope.
The reality is that doctors will do their best to assess the current situation and advise accordingly, but by no means can predict the future with certainty. Might have he regained any function or sensation down the road, or once the initial swelling subsided? Would he always be on a ventilator? Would he have to live his life in a wheelchair? Unfortunately, these are all questions we will never know the answers to.
I love my life and find myself excited about the future. I have absolutely no regrets in choosing to live and thank the Lord for the strength he gave me to make that decision. I am happy. I realize that happiness is relative. In fact, one particular study indicates that paralyzed individuals live happier lives than lottery winners. I would still like to win the lottery, though.
I don’t need to tell anyone how fragile life can be. I hope everyone realizes and accepts that basic tenant. Have fun and live your life the best that you can, but know that nothing in life is guaranteed and sometimes things change in the blink of an eye. And sometimes, decisions must be made that had never been previously pondered. And sometimes, those decisions affect more than just the decision-maker. Take the necessary time to make decisions when time is needed.
You can read more about Tim’s story by clicking here.
Please keep the Bowers family, and all families dealing with similar circumstances, in your prayers.
Stand Strong!
Scott
Such a sad story. Our lives have all been blessed by the decision you made. You continue to inspire!
Love
Patty & Ricky
I did not know the story of Tim Bowers, and I appreciate your thoughtful sharing of his story. I am a para, but I also remember the confusion of sedation right after surgery. I cannot imagine making any well thought decisions in the days immediately following my injury. You are one faithfilled, courageous, hardworking guy. I think we should volunteer for a new study of paralyzed individuals who are given lottery winnings.
Thank you for expressing your self so beautifully. Those who love you and admire you are so happy that you chose life. God bless
I remember when your mom called me within less than an hour after your accident. Right then and there I put you all in God’s hands.
I could not pray for your life or death because I couldn’t begin to know what was best…but I could pray for God to be with you, hold you and help you.
Glad you feel Him within you then and now.
<3
When a person is depressed, they will think the only way out is death; but death is so final. A person needs time.
Scott, your current life is proof you made the right choice. Unfortunately, Tim Bowers was in a state of schock when he made his choice. One wonders what his decision would have been had he had more time to consider the options. Thank God you were strong enough to want to live not only for yourself but for others who love you and find you to be an inspiration!
Scott, I found your message so incredibly touching. Reflecting on what I would have done at such a time, I’m not sure I would have been as brave as you. You truly are an inspiration. Also, reading your mother’s comments touch my heart very deeply as a mother. I can’t imagine how challenging and life-changing this event has been for your parents. I feel it is truly almost more difficult as a parent to watch your child endure such horrific pain. May God continue to strengthen you and your family as he works through you to touch the lives of so many, many people. I feel very blessed and honored to have had the opportunity to know you and your family. Lots of love and hugs~
Thank you for choosing LIFE, Scott – you have been such an inspiration to me and so many others.
I will pray for Tim’s family – what a heart-renching decision that had to have been.
Never underestimate the gift of FAITH.
God Bless You – Mary
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched your Springsteen video, with tears in my eyes. You’ve stated that you made the right choice for yourself. Not only did you make the right choice for those who love you, but you also did so for those on the other side of the world who you don’t know that you’ve inspired. I’d like to think I’d be as strong if faced with such a situation, but the truth is that I don’t know if I would be.
I read that story, teary-eyed, and had similar thoughts of how quickly that question was presented to him…I thought of you and thought how lucky we all are that you chose the path you did. We are all blessed with you in our lives! Love you!
Scott,
You did win the lottery. It is your faith. That is what carried you through the events and continues to.You are are a shining example to all who come in contact with you. God bless you and all those who care for you! Tom may not have had that faith to guide him.
Deacon Pete
I did think of you when I read that story Scott, and I am glad you made the decision you made!!
Scott your more amazing than most. That is why you said “yes”. Hell if I was asked right after my accident, I would have said no. At the time I couldn’t imagine living as a paraplegic let alone a high level quadriplegic. My neurosurgeon even said he wouldn’t want to live under those circumstance, but being a para. He would. Scott not many people would say yes and then beat everything that you had to face and continue to face. That’s what sets you apart from most. You didn’t ask for this but you never gave up. You chose to fight and live the rewarding life of making a difference in many people’s life. You have more determination a lot of us can’t even imagine having, that’s why your Scott, a person who makesa differencein someone’s life everyday. Keep doing what your doing, your changing more lives than you know.
Miss you bro,
Mark
You are most certainly a chosen one.
Thanks for being my friend. . . . Mike
I still have not come to terms with what happened to you on that fateful July day; however, I do know that I am so incredibly proud of you for making the tough decision that you made. God is with you every day and He will bring you through this! I love you.