*if you are experience difficulty logging on, please try again later...I may just be updating the site.    

     On June 26th, 2004, Dan was doing one of the things he loved best! He was riding his motorcycle through the hills and plains on a 3oo mile Poker Run.  There were about 100 other bikers on this ride as well, and it was a beautiful day!

      On that day, between Alzada, MT and Hulett, WY, Dan collided with a deer. According to the friends he was riding with, when the deer jumped out of the ditch, Dan locked up his brakes and held on tight...still, somehow that deer jumped straight up into the air and landed squarely on Dan and his motorcycle knocking him down onto the pavement. Dan still held on to the motorcycle for as long as his body would let him before he was thrown to the side of the road.

     Dan's injuries to his head were severe and he lost consciousness. It took approx.  a little more than 2 hrs. from the time of the accident, for the ambulance to load him up, transport him to Colony, WY, to meet the LifeFlight helicopter, get stable enough for the flight and then be airlifted to Rapid City Regional Hospital.

     Upon his arrival, he was taken to the Emergency Dept. and then straight to CT scan. The scan showed that there were extensive head and brain injuries and that they would need to perform a Craniotomy immediately to remove a blood clot from Dan's brain, as well as a ventriculoscomy to drain fluid from his head, as well as monitor the intracranial pressure (ICP monitor).

      The other injuries that Dan had sustained were minor in comparison and included; a broken clavical, 3 broken ribs, skull fractures, a partially collapsed lung, some road rash, face/ scalp lacerations, 2 black eyes, and numerous bumps and bruises to the abdomen and pelvis.

      I will try to update this site as often as possible with the latest developments... realizing that much of his condition is just a waiting game. We have been told, on numerous occassions and in numerous ways that this is "a marathon, not a sprint" and that it takes time, and that we are " in it for the long haul" and that "only time will tell" and that "it's between God and Dan now" and that "no news is good news". What this all means is, that with a head injury of this type with the traumatic brain injury and all of it's complications and implications, it could take months , or even years before we know to what extent Dan will "recover". So, please continue to send him your good thoughts, prayers and love....whatever you believe in...it's all good, it's all appreciated and it's working wonders! Keep the faith!!

We are keeping our fingers crossed and our prayers raised to the heavens.

Love,

Jess, Kathy and Dan

(and Brenda, Jason, Wyatt, Jake, Steve, Vonnie, Coleen, Warren and Loretta, as well as, all of the wonderful friends and family that have been there to support us, feed us, and take care of us and our needs, through this very difficult time.)

May your Guardian Angels bring you home safe, in mind, body and SPIRIT.

     Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. ~   Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.