Comments on: It’s Not the Fall So Much as the Impact

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:53:21 +0000

Godspeed healing and a great article written from the heart!

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:34:52 +0000

Derek,
Bummer of a story, but that’s an important fatherhood lesson. I learned the same one myself a few years ago, in a thankfully less serious way, from a broken collarbone that I got doing something reckless. Hope you’re recovery continues to go well.
.-= Ron´s last blog ..RonMarks: "The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas covered planet going…" http://tumblr.com/x6l6vm068 =-.

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:29:31 +0000

Tara – yes, it certainly changes when you have kids, and have had other climbers tell me “I have to be extra careful when we climb together, because you have a family.”, and it seemed too cautious at the time. Now, however, I see it completely differently.

And with our kids, that is the golden question: how to keep them safe, yet teach them to have some guts and to take chances once in a while?

As far as EC, try this post: http://naturalpapa.com/babies/infant-potty-training/ and there’s a good book about it: http://www.timl.com/ipt/

By: Tara

Tara — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:53:00 +0000

Hey – just found your site today. My husband and i are both climbers (our son’s middle names are Joshua Tree – for the obvious reason being born to climbers – not the musical reason). Anyway i read him (husband) your climbing tale of woe – spawned much discussion… if i got all manked up on a climb how could i take care of the kid, if he got messed up – he could work, but it would suck, wanting to teach your kid to go for it – but not cross that fine line into being reckless. Great post. I haven’t been on the rock for about 15 months (pregnant then recovering, then cold winter weather) and I was just thinking the whole time that it sounded like such a fun line – despite the outcome. anyway – now my husband is looking for a podcast from dirtbag diaries that your tale reminded him of – well he just pulled it up.

feel well, get better.
PS – can you give more info about elimination communication. we are trying it but without any real direction or mentor.

By: One of the best green Bloggers in America, Derek Markham, needs our help. Spread the word! | elephant journal

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:44:10 +0000

[...] Recently, over Twitter, he mentioned he was a bit out of it, doped up on Percocet. What?, I asked, a crawling sensation in my gut. Yeah, he said, got into a bad accident recently. [...]

By: Will

Will — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:47:31 +0000

Derek,

Thanks for sharing your story. For years I have talked about wanting to take up sky-diving. As the father of 4 boys I can resonate with your sentiment. Life is uncertain – but it is easy to forget the full extent of the consequences.

I hope you heal well and quickly.

Blessings!
.-= Will´s last blog ..Bamboo Truth – Is It Really Green? You May Be Surpised… =-.

By: Joseph Condron

Joseph Condron — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:41:44 +0000

Great post. You retold the story brilliantly. Ankles heal but tales of woe can be recalled again and again!

By: What’s Happening Wednesday | Backyard Mama

What’s Happening Wednesday | Backyard Mama — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:53:57 +0000

[...] cautious ’cause I didn’t have a cell phone or a pal with me. So, when I came across this post from Natural Papa (of New Mexico) I had a little chuckle, some nostalgia and a great reminder of why I tend to be a [...]

By: kia

kia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:42:09 +0000

Sorry to hear about the accident. I am glad you were not hurt worse. Don't be too hard on yourself. You are teaching your kids to be expressive and "go for it" through your example. This will just be a little lesson in personal safety for them along the way. .-= kia´s last blog ..mamavation monday 25 jan 10 =-.

By: Norm

Norm — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:37:58 +0000

Very early in your post you mention something to the effect of “my family depends on me”.

After a life experience like yours I decided that that should not be so.

Make sure that they can depend on themselves and you can climb anything that you like.

By: Ivy

Ivy — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:07:45 +0000

Oh, Derek, go easy on yourself! Yeah, you took a risk that didn’t work out and yeah, you had a little time to yourself when you didn’t think of the family …. But really, Papa’s need to play too. And you’ve got to focus on just your own self alone sometimes. This is a pretty minor crisis compared to some of the things your family has been through. The point is, there’s no need to beat yourself up, just move on through. And a sitting Papa can still give Mama a much needed break from time to time with a little bit of story or a craft, right from the all important lawn chair.
And you know you can always call me and I’ll fedex you some soup!
Heal well, friend,
Ivy

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:55:49 +0000

That was beautifully written and emotional. I feel your family pain. Blessing to you and your family and hope for the best in a fast and safe recovery.

By: Chris Tackett

Chris Tackett — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:06:02 +0000

Derek,

Glad to hear you are alright! I like the tie-in to your rules. Get well soon!

-Chris

By: Patti Gibbons

Patti Gibbons — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:55:01 +0000

Wow. At least your ankle has a good story. I broke mine running down the stairs. I had been a runner, in-line skater, and skiier, but I am none any more, but I am also 52, lol, and the young heal faster. It has been 5 years since I broke my ankle..it was a very long healing process. Took a good 3 years. I have two plates, and 12 screws which the docs won’t take out..it was a dislocated fx too.

So… I learned many things. To be grateful for what I have, to slow down a bit (I am a bit of a maniac myself) and to let others help me. You are lucky that you are graced with family, and a job that you can do from home. Take the lesson you learned…..and you can’t beat yourself up about it because it all is what it is, and the only time you should beat yourself up is if you don’t learn from your lessons in life.

Hope you heal quickly!

By: Janelle Sorensen

Janelle Sorensen — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:47:38 +0000

I agree with Sean – don’t beat yourself up so much. Clearly it’s important to weigh risks against responsibilities, but it’s also important to LIVE. Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere no matter what you’re doing. I’ve been laid up recently because of a right ankle injury that was almost like yours, but I didn’t break it – just the worst kind of sprain. And I was just running around our backyard with our new puppy – a perfectly benign activity. Life is risk, no matter if you think you’re consciously making the decisions or not. In the end, if you make it through (which we usually do), it’s a glorious lesson in living – if you pay attention. Kudos to you for paying attention.

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:04:44 +0000

Good points, Sean. I would not want to teach my kids to never go for it, but I know it’s a fine line sometimes between going for it and being reckless. I hope I’m beginning to understand what that means.

And you’re right – I’m getting lots of good one-on-one time with my little ones during this down-time for myself, so there is a bright side to it.

By: Sean Daily

Sean Daily — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:01:43 +0000

Great post Derek, and so sorry again to hear about the extent of the injuries. I know you’re mentally and physically tough and will get through this time with grace… this post is evidence of that.

We all do things that involve risk every day (getting in our car or on our bike being the most risky of all), and though it’s easy to beat up on one’s self for being ‘irresponsible’ it’s also irresponsible not to live a passionate live… we must model this for our children and they must be able to see our falls as well as our triumphs. Because otherwise we’re not ultimately preparing them for the ‘real’ world (which includes lots of bumps) and/or not modeling the act of living a deliberate, joyful existence.

Though accident-related injuries are never fun (I’ve had my own share of adrenaline junkie-fueled damage in years past), they do sometimes offer gifts in the form of lessons within the ‘curse’. Try to turn this time into a positive by doing things that you would otherwise never have done with full mobility.. catching up on reading, playing board games/cards/etc with your kids.

Heal up quickly and keep up the great work!
.-= Sean Daily´s last blog ..Eco Child’s Play =-.