Friends

10 May 2019

MY ACCIDENT

My Accident
Viper Mobility Scooter
(Borrowed pic... mine has more red parts)

I don’t get out very often these days but plucked up the courage to give the buggy an airing. I had an urgent letter to post and the nearest post box is a very long walk away so off I went on the buggy. I had to face road works and men digging up pavements which was a surprise but not insurmountable. Some of the men were real gentlemen, guiding me through the rough bits and offering cheery encouragement. It quite made my day, so to speak.

Letter posted, I got ready for the return journey but by this time there was even more upheaval on the road. I decided to go the long way round, using part of the area seldom seen. It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and enjoying the ride, so to speak. I relished being out and about and took time to enjoy surroundings seldom seen. Eventually I reached my road, passing more workmen and greeted by a few, and made my way downhill towards my house. A few neighbours waved and called out. 

Because the neighbour’s car was parked on my drive I had to take a sharp left to get on the sloping drive, whereas on a normal occasion I would ride to the far end where the brickwork evens out.

The scooter attempted to throw me off. I didn’t fall but my leg was suddenly trapped when the front wheels tried to reach those at the back!  And, boy, did I scream. If it hadn’t been for one of the workmen, who just happened to drive by and see my accident happen, I would have been stuck there forever. He slammed the brakes and jumped out of his van to rescue me. Good job he did because I would never have got out by myself, me being firmly trapped.

Then suddenly I was surrounded by neighbours who either heard the crash or heard the scream. The kind driver left without even a thank you from me, and I feel guilty about that.

So that’s the end of the incident, but not the end of the red raw patch on my leg, about three inches in diameter. The skin was literally scraped off and for a week I watched the formation of an ugly scab. I watch it every day and marvel at the way it slowly diminishes in size. I guess it will be gone in about another week's time. I don’t think I’ll ever use the scooter again but in case I want to I have pushed a note through the neighbour's door requesting the rehousing of his damn car. 

32 comments:

  1. That sounds scary, but don't give up, when you d=fall off the scooter you need to get right back on.

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    1. My neighbour made the same suggestion but advised that she comes with me when I do. When the car is removed from the drive and the wound starts to heal I might take her advice

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  2. Oh, Valerie - what a horrible thing to happen! And the worst part is that it was all because of your neighbor's annoying car. I really hope they will finally move it.

    It's so fortunate that the passing workman stopped to rescue you. Please don't give up riding your scooter. I'm sure your next outing will be more pleasurable.

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  3. Jon, I will go out again sometime. Saw the neighbour today and gave him notice to shift the car. I was nice about it so that we could still be friends. Thanks for your sympathy.

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  4. Hope you soon recover Valerie and get back in the buggy when the wokmen have gone.

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  5. I am sorry to hear about the accident, Valerie. I definitely think you're right about your neighbour's car, but if you keep the scooter somewhere more convenient, that will be good. It sounds as if your confidence has been hit and you might need more practice on the scooter in a much more safe and secure environment, perhaps with someone accompanying you. I wonder if there is any possibility - it really IS good to get out.

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    1. I keep the scooter in the garage, Jenny, that being the only possible place I can keep it. My neighbour will go out with me when I'm ready to give the scooter an outing.

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  6. WOW Valerie, I was riveted by every word of your post describing what happened. THANK GOD, for that workman. Bless him. Also, by everything you've ever shared about your neighbors, it sounds like they really watch out for you. How wonderful!

    Hey, by the look of the photograph you shared on the scooter you own, that is one sharp-looking scooter. It like a car seat on wheels. How cute is that!

    Glad to hear your bruise is healing so well! Isn't it amazing how the body repairs itself?

    Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
    X

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  7. Hi Ron, yes the neighbours are brilliant. I try not to bother them too much in case I become irksome... if you know what I mean. Now and again I manage to do something for them, but not often.

    Yes, the scooter is a good one and it was not its fault that I had the fall. I have asked the owner of the car to move it, giving him a few days to find an alternative place to keep it.

    It wasn't a bruise, Ron, more a dirty great scraping of sk

    You too have a pleasant weekend.

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  8. Tom has a scooter as he has IPF and can't walk far, we thought it would be a good thing but as my hip is so bad I can no longer walk beside him, we need two now, lol
    Ours is in the back of the car and more of less stays there now.
    We would love 2 of those one's that fold up to the size of a suitcase but as they cost aroung £2.000 I don't think we'll be getting them any time soon, lol
    Hope you soon recover, I'm sure it was horrible for you.
    Briony
    xx

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  9. Hi Briony, yes it was horrible but I think I'm coping with what happened now. Having said that, I haven't tried sitting on the scooter to find out what my feelings are. £2000 is an outrageous price to pay. I got mine second hand, it had only had one owner and she hadn't had it for long. I haven't heard of fold-up motorised machines, although I do have a 'walker' that folds up. I quite like that, it gives me something to lean on when walking....lolol.

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  10. Hi Valerie, good for you in not giving up on your scooter after the accident! You were very kind to have let the neighbor use your driveway for parking his daughter's car but you didn't expect it to be parked there long term. You have some wonderful neighbors looking out for you:)

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  11. Hello, Sue. How are you? The business with the car is crazy. Neighbour bought the car for his daughter but she doesn't want it, hence the time it is taking to dispose of the vehicle and nowhere to put it! Neighbour is a nice man and will do anything for anybody so I don't want to fall out with him. Yes, I do have good neighbours. We don't bother each unless it is necessary but always include them in parties etc.

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  12. Hi Valerie! you either lucked out of a serious disaster or some guardian angels appeared on the scene. Most likely neighbors, passerby's or road workers. Fortunately I had numerous similar experiences in my own life of late.... Its all good....:)

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    1. Ray, I think luck and/or angels were definitely on my side since it could have been a lot worse. Things like this make us appreciate those around us.

      I hope your experience wasn't too painful.

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  13. hope you get recovery soon and everything goes well with you...

    Have a wonderful weekend

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    1. Thanks Tanza. I'm still nursing the leg and thanking God the accident wasn't worse.

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  14. So sorry to read about your mishap, Valerie, which really wasn't you fault because of that car in your way! Glad to know you are healing and getting back on the scooter is what I would advise as well.

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    1. I will get back on the scooter when next I need to shop or post letters, but I shall go carefully when returning to my own driveway.

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  15. Oh dear, that sounds scary. I'm happy people had eyes and ears on you to come to your aid. Kind people sometimes just come out of nowhere then disappear just as fast.

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    1. We don't live in each others pockets yet they/we are always there for each other. It's lovely. Now that I am on my own it's extra good that can call on folk in an emergency.

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  16. I'm ever so sorry to read about your accident. I hope you're on the mend now.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. It's on the mend now, thank you. Good to see you blogging again.

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  17. Oh no, and ouch!!! So sorry about that Valerie. I do hope he gets his darned car out of your driveway. Thank goodness for the nice chap who stopped to help you in your time of need. He was an angel that's for sure who probably didn't want a thankyou but he gets one from me too for helping you out. I hope your poor leg heals quickly.

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  18. Denise, the kind neighbour is just that, a kind neighbour - and I don't want to upset him by demanding that he shifts the car. Today that same guy is fixing my broken door bell, or rather replacing it with a new one, and shopping for it himself. I am working on a way to ask him to remove the car without upsetting him. At my age it pays to stay friendly with neighbours.

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  19. Get your neighbour to move their car, it's your driveway after all and then use the scooter again, maybe just up and down the road to build up confidence. You obviously enjoyed it and it was a chance to get out and about which is always good. I had a moped and came off it 3 times, and got cut up quite badly but I always get back on and rode it again.

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    1. As soon as the wound heals I will go out again, depending on the weather!

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  20. Well then I guess patience and diplomacy is the key in this situation Valerie, especially as he is such a nice guy to help you like that. I'm sure he will move the car eventually, keeping fingers crossed for you that it is sooner than later :)

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  21. That's scary!! I'm glad you are OK, Val, and I'm glad the construction man happened to be nearby to help you out. Take care.

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    1. Oooh Matt, I wish I could see that man to say thank you but I guess I wouldn't even recognise him if he walked down my road.

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