In June 2017, Angelo from Genesee County was riding his Harley Davidson home from dinner when he swerved to avoid a deer and hit a utility pole. There he sat for hours, unable to reach his cell and waiting for someone to discover and assist him. Read his words below:
“I had just bought a Harley-Davidson, something that I have always wanted to do my entire life, only two months prior to my accident. I was riding home from dinner around dusk on some country roads and vaguely remember swerving to miss a deer. I couldn’t really stop the bike in time, so I more or less just let it go. It hit a utility pole and exploded into many pieces. I remember drifting in and out of consciousness after the accident, but not being able to move. I thought I had broken my back or neck. I could feel the blood, and eventually realized that I was in a motorcycle accident…yet I was still alive.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the strength to get up or the capacity to locate my cell phone to call for help. According to the police reports, I laid there for three hours before anyone found me. By the grace of God, a passerby noticed parts of my totaled bike in a ditch and called for help. I remember being cared for by local EMS personnel until Mercy flight arrived. The next thing I remember was landing at ECMC.
Waking up in the hospital, I remember my parents coming in and being in total shock of my appearance and condition. I had 14 facial fractures, including my cheekbone, orbital bone, and a broken jaw. I also had two fractured wrists. I was sent home five days later where I began my long road to recovery.
Looking back, I’m grateful to have even had the opportunity to recover. If it wasn’t for Mercy Flight and their personnel, I’m not sure I would still be here today. It’s most definitely changed my perspective and outlook on life. It’s so easy to wake up every day and take for granted the ability to see with both eyes, or to eat properly, or to walk. For a period of time, I couldn’t do any of those things.
Since my accident, I’ve lead the charge in giving back. I have become more involved with my church, I have rescued an abused puppy from a rescue and I have become an advocate for Mercy Flight in this community. I have a renewed passion for working with the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, as well.
I can’t lie – life has been difficult, at times, after the accident, but I am blessed to know that there is a life-saving organization like Mercy Flight. I understand now, more than ever, that nothing is guaranteed in life. Thank you God for my Mercy Flight, and my second chance at life.”
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