January 20th, 2011 by Conor
I had to take this out of the frame and scan it over. God I miss being that young and naive. Miss you guys! Danny when you get better I’ll give you another blow-out, Jersey shore style… Who would have thought Pauly D got his hair style from your pissed off Q-tip?? Who the hell let us put peroxcide in our hair?
January 20th, 2011 by MIchelle
It’s 2:24 PM. Usually I’m sleeping right now, but today I made it in early. I walked in this afternoon to him snuggled up with his stuffed bear. It’s absolutely adorable. I don’t want to gush about it and I usually am the last of my girlfriends to use the word “cute,” but really, you’ve got to see this. Even Doctor Gorsuch had a good laugh when he walked in to Danny and his cuddle buddy. It’s is funny and cute at the same time.
About an hour ago Danny had his physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments. They stayed for about forty five minutes until Danny was too dizzy and over it. The physical therapist did some upper and lower body simple workouts; raising his hands above his head, lifting his legs up one at a time, and tossing a ball back and forth. The occupational therapist had Danny write his name, the year, and different colors that she held up on a piece of paper. I watched anxiously to see how his writing was and to my surprise it was perfect.
The only area that I’ve found Danny to be struggling a bit with is his short term memory. If I ask him questions about yesterday, sometimes he’ll remember and other times he’ll look at me confused. From what I gather, he is doing absolutely amazing in all areas for this stage of recovery. Everyone is impressed. This includes myself. We had no idea what the extent the injury would effect him, but it’s been surprising everyday to watch Danny improve.
Although there are times that Danny might seemed bummed out or over being strapped down to the bed, there are also many time throughout the day that I feel like Danny is dealing with this as best as you could expect. He’ll smile if something funny happens and make everyone smile with him. Today he made us all laugh when the therapist joked about being left out and Danny passed him the ball instead of me. That’s probably a bad example, but it shows he still has his sense of humor.
At the risk of sounding too mushy in this post, I will also say that he still makes me blush multiple times a day. I had to include this stuff because I have to give him credit for all of the positives. The doctor also mentioned that the fact he is having these complex emotions shows that he is still capable of having them and that is yet another positive. All in all today has been a good day. He’s finally getting some sleep now and I haven’t had to hold him back from trying to escape yet, which he didn’t remember from yesterday. I really wish you guys could see him and that teddy bear!
-Michelle
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
Sounds like the snow isn’t the greatest today but the crew at Northstar is doing what they can to have a fun time.
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
Danny wasn’t in much of a good mood to begin with so I certainly wasn’t gonna try to push him to video it. Even though I had only planned on videoing his hand it just wasn’t gonna happen. He reached his hand into the bed and pulled about 8 names out. several fell into his bed (so I guess some of you ladies still kinda won) and then there were 3. Michelle spread the three names out for him and he settled on Stephanie Rawson. Until next time. More fun hospital raffles to come.
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
Well I thought I was doing bad last night when I got kicked out of the ICU room, tonight, I didn’t even make it in there. I was packing up my stuff in the lobby to head in when I looked up to see Michelle rather randomly. Right around midnight is when I usually head into the room. About that time Michelle rounded the corner with a rather discouraged look. I don’t remember what she said specifically, only that I didn’t believe her at first. She explained that the nurse was trying to give Danny some space so that he might be able to sleep better. This surprsed me because I had been in there for the last 15 nights in a row. Why was tonight different I wondered.
I headed to Danny’s room anyway because I had to get some things out of there if I wasn’t going to be able to get in there at all. When the locking doors opened to the ICU I was met by the nurse who explained to me that Danny was sleeping so I could come on back in and hang out if I wanted. I diverted my attention from the informative nurse and looked over towards Danny’s room. Right when I looked over Danny threw up a wave which to me said something like “Please get me the hell out of this place I can’t stand it and I want to be home. NOW.” I informed the nurse that Danny wasn’t sleeping.
Before I had headed to the ICU to get my stuff I was contemplating even going in. I figured it if had been that hard for Danny to sleep that he probably would be pretty pissed if he was woken up by me. So When I realized he was awake I was excited I wouldn’t be bothering him. As I walked in the room he proceeded to try to roll over and get out of the restraints that were holding him down. I’m not talking about rolling around in discomfort, I’m talking about moving around and fighting with some rage to get out of the position he has been forced into. The nurse took a minute but was able to calm him down.
Michelle and I decided to head out of the ICU for the night at midnight but not before we mentioned to our nurse, as well as another favorite (;-)), that Danny really needed to be watched closely. Michelle had some concerns about Dannys care based on Dannys behavior earlier in the evening. Twice while she had been in the room she had seen Danny try to get up out of bed. I realize the nurses watch patients closely as a job, but, sometimes they get busy, and I wouldn’t put it past Danny to do something wild. He is extremely uncomfortable, now he’s alone, and he doesn’t want to be there one bit. As we walked away from the hospital I couldn’t help but imagine Danny sleeping with one eye open waiting and watching the nursing staff while planning his escape. I really hope he doesn’t go for it.
I will not make the same mistake tomorrow. Even if they kick me out for the Graveyard shift I will have already been in the room a little earlier in the night. Super bummer that I saw Danny for about 10 minutes today. So for those of you around the country that feel helpless waiting for updates and info, I had a taste of it today. It sucks.
It’s 3:19 and usually I am about halfway through my shift. Instead, I am going to bed.
Good Night Danny, and I hope that’s just what it is…
Conor
January 20th, 2011 by MIchelle
It’s 4:14 AM. I’m laying in bed trying to think of something other than Danny laying in his room alone. If you’ve read what Conor wrote, then you know that Danny needed to get some rest and that we were asked to give him some space. I don’t blame the nurse for asking this of us. If I were trying to get some sleep, it would be pretty difficult with other people in my room. On the other hand, Danny is on a mission to get out of that bed. I had to restrain him twice today and eventually I was able to talk Danny out of making a run for it. Even though he can speak now, he still has yet to hold a conversation. There are times when he is squirming around in bed, red in the face, and his fists are balled up and flexed, but he won’t say a word. These times are painful to watch. These times break my heart because all I want to do is help him. I think, for the most part, that he has the worst headache of his life. He rated it a ten on a scale of 1-10. Hopefully tomorrow is less painful. Get some sleep Danny. See you in my dreams.
-Michelle
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
For those of you that are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the hat raffle we have to move the drawing back to a little later on in the day. Right now we are going to shoot to do it at noon MTN time (-2 hours from EST). We will post the results and hopefully the video at that time. For those of you that haven’t purchased tickets yet that gives you another 9 hours to get yours.
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
I have wanted to write something here for sometime now, but I honestly haven’t found the words to say. Last night I recorded a song on a whim while thinking of Danny. I wasn’t sure if this was something that was appropriate to submit or even something that I wanted other people to hear, but after consideration, I felt that this was the most honesty I could bring to the table. I have only known Danny for about a year, but as everyone is well aware of, that is more than enough time to appreciate the amazing human being which he is. I can’t wait for the day that we are all hanging out in Tahoe again, but until then I will be appreciating every day I am given and sending as much love to Danny and those close to him as I know how.
CLICK HERE to listen to the “DCT” Jam!
If you want to download this song head over to Will’s Bandcamp page… Will Porter
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
I’m one of those folk who has indeed been, “affected and touched” not only by Danny, but Conor as well. I admit to selfishly reading the entries on a daily basis as it helps me feel connected to what’s going on across the country. But as Conor wrote on the Home page, “it’s selfish just to read on this site”, so it’s my turn to throw my hat in the ring and add at least two cents worth of rhetoric.
First a few descriptors about Conor… strong, true, loyal, creative, an incredible editor of video clips, funny- did I already say strong and loyal? Well, take that to the nth power (whatever that may be). This site, along with Danny, is truly, “THE BOMB”! Thank you Conor!
Yes indeed, it was Thanksgiving of 2005 as Elisabeth wrote (see entry on January 8th), that Danny and Conor entered my life. I however, did not experience any trepidation about meeting them; I just made the (positive) assumption that they both would be very cool. I suspect however that David (aka Potterman) might have had some concerns; after all he had already met and interacted with my “spawn”, and knew what they were all about. The fact that David didn’t leave here twitching after his first dinner here with Seth and myself during the summer of 2005, is a testament to his stamina and resilience, and yes, for those of you who have read Elisabeth’s entry, her description of Thanksgiving dinner, as with most family dinners here was/is more than accurate. Dinners here are replete with all sorts of conversation, the content of which, most of it anyway, can be termed ‘politically incorrect’. The positive reframe is that these dinners are also incredibly funny, and the food is usually extraordinary as well. As far as the post-dinner game of, “Asshole”, in recent years that’s been replaced with “Apples To Apples”- no hairy, nasty dog biscuits involved- just loss of ‘face’. i don’t know which is worse.
Back to Danny..if it wasn’t for Danny, I wouldn’t be part of 21st century technology. Despite the fact that David and I had long gone our separate ways, Danny stopped by one day to say hello, took one look at my new laptop and decided that I should be on facebook. Now, for any of you reading this that know me, you are aware that I’m still working on the on/off switch, (I still don’t have a cell phone) therefore the prospect of participating on facebook was daunting to me. Danny took charge, set me up, also showed me how to negotiate photo-booth, and itunes, and voila, here I am. I will be ever grateful to you Danny for that.
Over many other Thanksgivings, as well as a few birthday dinners (in March and May- Conor and Danny respectively) and other various and sundry events, I have indelible images of both Danny and Conor; Danny sitting on the couch, crochet hook in hand, whipping up chapeau creations worthy of a runway, Conor sitting on the couch, laptop on lap (where else?), wheezing away from Freddy (the very overweight house cat) wanting to cuddle up to him, Danny laughing at…well, that’s a story that might be too politically incorrect to write about, so I won’t. Say “thank you” Conor.
Watching Danny competing on the slopes at Killington was also a joy, especially watching him count all his well deserved prize money.
And of course following the Shreddytimes youtubes was (still is) exhilarating for me. Watching Danny ‘do his thing’, being adeptly filmed by Conor, made every move Danny made look so easy. His passion is palpable in all the videos.
Some Danny descriptors…STRONG, true, loyal, creative (hmmm- sound familiar?), an incredibly talented, fluid, determined, proud athlete. And let’s not forget ‘cute’! Uh, I guess ‘hot’ fits as well.
To rephrase one of my sayings, “the bad news is the good news”; Danny is aware of what’s going on, perhaps not fully yet, but his reactions of sadness, frustration, confusion are all appropriate. Danny is a fighter; he will be victorious.
Love to you Danny.
Ellen Terie
January 20th, 2011 by Conor
My roomate and good friend Will Mayo is heading up the Tahoe side of sticker making for the Danny is the Bomb efforts on the far West Coat. He just started making them a little earlier today to get them done in time for tomorrows ride at Northstar. He sent me a proof because I asked to see them just to make sure things were up to par. I wouldn’t have normally asked for a die cut sticker proof except that Will was using Danny’s sticker plotter and equipment. Danny has been teaching Will the ropes on how to make stickers.
The proof that I saw totally shocked me. Right off the bat my eyes were drawn to the red text on the metal ruler that Danny owns. I recognize the sticker very well. It says “I Ride For Kevin,” which was an advertising campaign that Burton headed up a year ago when one of their stars Kevin Pierce got hurt. How ironic that Will sends me a photo of a proof for Dannys awareness campaign when another campaign was on the ruler he is making the stickers with…. weird to say the least.
I noticed another irony when I originally watched Paul’s video of Danny laughing. In a few of the more obvious scenes Danny is wearing the I Ride For Kevin tee shirt.
I also have two of those “I Ride For Kevin” tee shirts and wear them from time to time. I wish that all those stickers and tee shirts made Danny and I buy helmets. There is a good chance that the helmet would have changed the outcome of this incident significantly. A crash like Danny took could have happened to either of us or any of our friends- that is still a shocker to me. The maneuver that took Danny out was simple, routine, and could have been done by any snowboarder having fun.
Do yourself a favor. If you are going to wear the tee shirt or the sticker to represent your love for Danny and to recognize this tragic event. Go one step further and get a helmet and rock that too.
~Conor
