Hello again;
Today, I am writing in hopes of helping one of my online friends. There are so many people out there who have helped me on my journey, so that when I read his story; I couldn’t help but get involved.
I know this is not the usual kind of story you find on my site, but I hope you will read it through to the end. Its a great story about the heroic spirit of a man and his guide dog and the woman he loves. And if after reading you decide you would like to help with a donation, then please go to http://www.markburninghawk.net/music.html This is Mark’s music site, but he assures me that all donations will go to his girlfriend’s care.
The Story
Last Saturday afternoon, taking advantage of the beautiful weather before the rainy winter arrived, Amy and I decided to go for a short hike. We drove to the Damnation Creek trail head on HWY 101, near Klamath, CA, and intended to be back at our car within a couple of hours, as it was already late afternoon, and would get dark soon. Ezra was guiding me as usual, and Luke was shepherding us all as usual, and we were both enjoying the rugged landscape and giant redwood trees. Softly scented air was dappled with sun and shade as the trail first descended, then wound up to a narrow wooden bridge, at a fork with the Coastal Loop trail. We decided to venture a ways down that trail, hoping it would “loop,” back to the footbridge. No such luck. At first, the trail, mostly composed of an old highway and well maintained, was great for hiking, so we continued. By the time it got narrow and steep again, and Amy could see the ocean through the trees ahead, we needed to turn back; it was getting dark. We tiredly turned and made our way back down the trail, until we were mostly back to the footbridge.
Tragedy Strikes
We stopped to catch our breaths and let the dogs pee, and somehow, Amy fell. I heard her fall, cry out, then a crash, then nothing. I called out, “AMY! Amy, can you answer me?” I heard nothing for a few minutes. When I heard a sound, I didn’t think it was a human making it. It was Amy screaming. I had to get down the cliff she had fallen over, to ascertain her condition. I somewhat climbed, mostly fell down to where she was. She had landed badly, on her back, on the rocks at the bottom of an old creek bed. Luke was with her, and Ezra followed me down. Her screams of pain were constant, long and loud. She kept saying, “NO! NO! NO!” over and over, and told me, “I can’t feel my legs!” I sat for a while, held her hand, listened to her scream. I knew I had to somehow get help. I had my iPhone 5 with me, but when I checked, I had no service. There was no way I could move Amy; she was far too badly injured to climb up the cliff. I had to climb up the cliff, helping Ezra up with me, and find a place where I had enough cell service to call 911 and get a rescue team in to get Amy. So, as she screamed, I tucked my maroon sweatshirt carefully under her head, and said, “Baby, I love you; I will be back with help, I have to go get help.” She just kept on screaming.
The Rescue
I found a chimney up the cliff, hauled Ezra up and got back to the trail, which was fortunately very well-defined. I still had no service. I had no choice but to walk with Ezra guiding me down the trail until I could call 911. Fortunately, Ezra was able to follow the trail, even in the dark. Luke also had come up with us, and stuck close to us. We walked about a quarter mile until I got one bar of cell coverage. With that one bar, having to call back ten or twelve times, I got 911 to contact the sheriff, who sent in the volunteer search and rescue team to find us. There was some consternation when I told the sheriff that I couldn’t give visual landmarks. I explained that I was blind, had been hiking with my sighted girlfriend, and she had fallen. I gave them the names of the trails, but, No, I did not think I could get back to my vehicle, and no I couldn’t describe where I was. I told them about the bridge at the trail fork. Then my iPhone battery got dangerously low. They had my GPS coordinates by that time, so I settled down to wait, calling out from time to time, in case they could hear me. That didn’t stop the SAR people from hitting the trail, so I was told. I was growing cold now, shivering in just sweats and a T-shirt. I had given Amy my sweatshirt.
Just Imagine being blind facing this emergency
I walked with Luke and Ezra back to the footbridge. The creek under it whispered, defining the silence of the woods at night. Luke alternately huddled against me and padded back and forth over the bridge. Ezra sat close, being calm and patient. I had done all I could do. I began intermittently shouting, “HELLO! HELLO!”
Help Arrives
Finally, about four hours later, my voice hoarse from dehydrating, shivering from cold, I heard a very faint, “HELLO! Are you Mark!?” Oh yes, I was Mark all right. A few minutes later, a woman named Renelle ran up to me on the bridge, followed by her partner Mel. Luke led them to where Amy had fallen, and they found her. I got under a space blanket and drank water. It wasn’t over. Amy couldn’t move, and they had to get more people with a back board and stretcher to get her up the cliff, and then we all had about three miles of hiking out to do. Luke stayed with Amy and the rest of the team, while Mel, Ezra and I started the long hike back to the highway.
As we hiked along–by now it was about three thirty in the morning, pitch dark save for Mel’s flashlight–he soon discovered that Ezra and I could navigate our way ahead better than he could try and guide me. As we walked, we talked about Ezra, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the school that trained him, about dogs in general. Mostly he was just trying to take my mind off what had just happened.
The Real Heroes
I realized that Ezra and Luke were the real heroes of this night. Tired and limping, Ezra nevertheless led me where I needed to go, avoiding obstacles in the dark and finding sure footing. Luke led the rescue team to Amy, and kept me safe while I waited for them. I have not yet stop sending my gratitude to Dog for walking with me, for saving our lives. The last 0.7 miles was all up-hill, switchbacks and rock steps. As beat-up and tired as I was, I cannot imagine what it was like for Amy to be stretcher-borne out of there. I saw her briefly at the ambulance; she was in shock, but she said, “Thank you, you did the best thing you could…”
The Future
I got a ride home from a park ranger. I had Amy’s car towed home. By then it was 4:45 in the morning. I put the dogs to bed and just sat there for the next hour giving my thanks. Luke came home with me and is subdued, confused and sad. Amy was taken to Sutter General Hospital in Crescent City. There, she was determined to have a broken thoracic spine, three broken ribs and a collapsed lung. As of now, she is either en route to or in surgery at OHS in Portland. No one will tell me anything. The dogs and I are still recovering. I’m sore all over, Ezra is sore and tired and Luke is being perfectly behaved for me while he waits for Amy to return.
It’s far from over, but this is an update. I am anxiously waiting for news of Amy. I frankly have no idea what comes next.
I hope that some of you will be able to help my friend Mark. If you can donate, that would be great. But at this point your prayers and good wishes would be just as welcome. He is obviously scared and frustrated not knowing what is happening. You can follow his story on his face book page.
If you appreciate his story and my efforts to help spread the word about his situation, then please share this post with your friends, family, and coworkers. When you share it on social media be sure to encourage anyone who sees it to repost it. I don’t do things like this often or lightly. I look forward to your comments.
Again I am just trying to help a friend. So, I want to thank you in advance. Take care, Max
This is a terrifying and heart-rending tale, Max – I think it’s great that you’ve used your blog to share the story of Mark and Amy’s ordeal. It sounds as if both the dogs were amazing and played a really important part in the rescue – while I was reading it I was trying to imagine what it must be like to be in that situation and unable to see, and I just don’t know how Mark coped with it so well – he showed such great presence of mind. I’m over to visit his FB page now and hope with all my heart that Amy makes a full recovery.
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Hi Sue; Well, when I read his story, I thought I had to do something to help. I don’t have much in the way of cash right this minute, so I thought the next best thing would be to share his story in hopes that some of my friends could provide him emotional and or financial support. And I agree with you about his poise and presence of mind. I am one of the few blind eagle scouts. But it has been so long since I used those skills, that I doubt I could have done as well in his situation. Also, my cell phone isn’t as talkative as an iPhone so it wouldn’t have even been able to tell me when I had a signal like his did. He had a strong heart, a great dog, good technology, and someone he loves depending on him; so when you think about it how could he have gone wrong. smile Thanks for the comment, and I am sure he will enjoy your visiting his face book page and leaving a comment. Take care my friend, Max
Poor Amy and Mark was so brave helping her. The dogs are the heroes too Max along with you for sharing Mark’s story. I’ll keep Amy in my prayers and know that she’ll be alright. I’m so sorry that happened and pray she’ll come out of surgery just fine. A little shattered from this experience but a stronger person because of it.
Thank you for being such a good friend to Mark, I’m sure he really appreciates it Max.
~Adrienne
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Hi adrienne; thanks for your prayers and kind thoughts. I’m sure mark and aimy will appreciate them. And like i said so many people have helped me, that I felt like i needed to do my small part for them. I too hope she comes out of it stronger. It sounds like both of them had quite a bit of strength to start with though. Thanks again and take care, max
Hi Max,
Much speedy recovery to your friend. I can’t imagine such a horrible accident. Many prayers will go up for this situation, mine included.
Good luck to all and God Bless,
Barbara
Hi Barbera; You are so sweet. I am sure that Mark and Amy will appreciate the kind thoughts. Take care, Max
Wow, what a story Max and how grateful Mark and Amy must be to have such wonderful animals to help lead the way.
Sending blessings to all and it’s very cool of you to share the story Max. You certainly are an amazing friend.
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Hi Elle; I’m sure they will appreciate your thoughts and prayers. In my life I have been helped by a lot of great people some of them I knew and some of them were people who came along when I needed them the most. I have also been fortunate to own or be owned by some great dogs. smile My current crazy mut penny might not have rescued me but she wouldn’t have forsaken me either. so, I thought I could play a small part by reposting his story. I don’t know how to do it where it would have shown as a guest post or i would have. Thanks again and take care, max
Hi Max,
good on you for sharing this sad story. I’m so sorry to hear of Mark and Amy’s accident and hope that everything will turn out ok in the end.
As i was reading the post I was dreading the outcome, especially as I’m spinally injured myself and HATE the thought of this happening to others. I so hope that Amy will be ok….
They say that mans best friend is his dog and in this case it certainly rings true, what fantastic dogs they are, the real hero’s in this case…. and of course those that came to find Mark and Amy.
I can only imagine the fear that must have gripped them both…. I hope that everything turns out ok I really do.
Thanks again for sharing this Max, I will of course share it on the social media sites.
Take care and please wish them both a speedy recovery for me.
Barry
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Hi Barry; I imagine this was a difficult post for you to read, so I appreciate your visit all the more. Thanks so much for your kind wishes, and I’m sure they are appreciated by Mark and Amy. According to his face book page they still haven’t gone far enough in the medical treatment to know if or when she will walk again. So, you may have a prospective that would help them as they deal with the changes that are occurring in their lives. Yes, the dogs were great one of them a trained guide dog and the other one just a loving friend. thanks again barry and take care, max
Hi Max,
It was somewhat difficult reading the post as I dreaded the outcome. It’s never easy reading of people suffering but when we can relate to it….
When i had my injury I was in and out of consciousness but I had an army trained medic come to my aid. I asked her to support my legs, which felt like they were stuck in the air, she told me they were flat on the floor and I knew instantly that if I survived I’d be paralysed.
I then had 2 weeks in and out of consciousness but I knew all the way that I was paralysed and when I eventually came around in the spinal unit it was confirmed.
I didn’t have any time wondering whether I’d walk again as I was told pretty quickly that i wouldn’t due to the damage caused.
I’ve witnessed people who’ve suffered spinal injuries, have months laid in traction and walk away from it all with no lasting effects. I also seen it go the other way Max….
I can only imagine the fear of waiting for the final outcome from the doctors and really do feel for Amy.
Please keep us informed Max,
Take care,
Barry
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Hi Barry; Thanks for sharing your experience with me and the people who read this post. I believe there is a lot of uncertainty not only about her future condition but about Mark’s roll in it and don’t foget we have two doggies one of whom is probably confused waiting for its mistress to come home again. I have forwarded the post to mark and I hope he is reading the comments. I will post a reply here if there is any definite news. Thanks for your warm wishes for my friends. Bloggers are great, smile Take care, max
What an amazing story. I do hope Amy pulls through. There was a lot of courage displayed in retrieving her and to go through that agony, well, what an ordeal.
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Hello; thanks so much for your kind comment. I am subscribed to his Facebook page and am also hoping for good news. just wish i could do more for them than post their story. take care, max