6. THE SCOOTER ACCIDENT

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On a beautiful day in July of 2022, my wife & I decided to go out to run a few errands. We asked our roommate Maggie if she wanted to come along for our walk. After a few hours, we completed what we needed to do and started our way home. We decided to cut through the mall, and came out to the back parking lot I decided to ride forward at full speed, since the very back lot was empty of cars at the time, which is 20km/hr 

I was going straight, but needed to turn away from the curb, but I believe that I turned too quickly, all I remember is panicking and turning.

THE ACCIDENT 

The next thing I found myself on the ground! I had landed face first, I knew I must've had a concussion, and had road rash on my arm, and I was bleeding from my mouth. Instantly, my wife and friend Maggie ran to see what happened and called 911.

When the ambulance showed up, the paramedics attended to me, loaded me in the back. The scooter was still working, so Morgan drove my scooter home and met me at the hospital.


When she arrived, because of the current COVID-19 protocol at the time. Morgan wasn't too sure if the ER department would let her in, but explained my Cerebral Palsy and was allowed in. The hospital's ER was swamped, so there wasn't much room. I was in the offloading waiting room. After approximately thirty minutes, the adrenaline wore off, I was in a world of hurt!!!


I asked Morgan to see if I could receive any pain relief, to my displeasure, I was told that I couldn't receive anything until the doctor had seen me! A very painful four hours went by and my case was finally revised and was seen by a doctor where pain management was administered.

Hour 6 in ER with no pain management. 


After a battery of tests, scans, and x rays, I was informed that I have fractured my jaw!  I was referred to a surgeon (oral-maxillary surgeon) he did no want to do surgery to wire my jaw as I was very lucky in that it was non displaced (cracked, but my muscles and tendons made it stay in the correct position)  was given dietary food choices while my jaw healed which sounded unappealing however Morgan found options that I liked that were on the "safe" list.

When I was discharged, Morgan helped me to the car and we made our way home. When we arrived it was around 11pm at night, I was having a tough time getting in because of the hydromorphone in my system luckily our roommate was awake to help get me in the house. 



The next day, we went to my appointment with the specialist. I had to have another x-ray. When the surgeon came in with my results, I was informed that the fracture will heal on its own and that I did not require surgery to have my jaw wired shut. I was also told that because of the way it fractured, I was lucky I didn't break my neck and become paralyzed, or much worse killed!


THE RECOVERY

While recovering at home, I'm not too sure what part was worse, the not being able to open my mouth too much, (I couldn't even eat Chunky Soup without pain), or the not being able to sleep on my side. Sneezing and coughing was pure torture!

Morgan removed my 4 stitches from my chin laceration. 

After approximately 3 weeks, I was completely healed and back to normal.

Lost a section of tooth shortly after my accident, luckily I have amazing Dentists at White Cedar Dental. 

Well everyone, be very careful of what you are doing and pay attention to your surroundings. Since the accident, I enjoy the smaller things in life, and don't stress too much.

Keep calm and live on!


Craig Buchanan


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