Everyone, I'm finally out of the hospital and am at my dad’s house in Fruitland. It feels awesome to be here.
I really want to thank everyone for all of the support and good thoughts. I got a lot of love for a lot of people and this company right now. I couldn't have done this without all of the visits and help I've received. It really does blow my mind how good people are.
Once I can walk again and can stand to be out of bed more than an hour or so I'm going to try to visit. That might be more than a few weeks though. They still won't let me put any weight on my foot and it will be a few weeks before they will.
So right now I'm just here recuperating and trying to do long emails on my iPhone. No need to reply unless you want to but I just wanted to say hi to everyone and let you know my status and to say the first of many thank you's and I love you's to come.
Be good to everyone. Have fun. And I'll see you soon.
Love, Jeff
Broken Barker Bash Photos
Welcome to the Broken Barker Blog, where we’re all about celebrating Jeff Barker, a dear friend, gifted designer and an all-around-great guy, who was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident on October 2, 2008.
The Accident
While taking a ride in Kuna on his 2004 Yamaha Roadstar Silverado that warm fall evening, Jeff was struck by an impaired driver who was fleeing the police at speeds up to 70 MPH. The driver of the car walked away from the scene. Jeff, on the other hand, was thrown 30 feet from his motorcycle. When the police found Jeff on the side of the road, he had no pulse. He was resuscitated on the scene, but while being airlifted to the hospital, was resuscitated three more times.
The Hospital
Jeff spent a total of 4.5 weeks in the hospital as a result of this accident, where he relied on a ventilator to breathe for the first week in the ICU — a result of the puncture to his lung. Jeff also sustained multiple broken bones, including 10 ribs, three vertebrae, collarbone, shoulder blade, left leg and elbow. Jeff also suffered from severe contusions across his body, and his front teeth and his jaw were broken, as well.
The Road To Recovery
Jeff was released from the hospital on November 5th, and since then, he’s been in his father’s care at his childhood home in Fruitland, ID. His road to recovery will be long, and at times, arduous. Right now, Jeff is able to take a few steps to get from room-to-room, but after that small bit of activity, Jeff’s body is overcome with physical exhaustion and pain. It will take one full year of physical therapy — if not more — for Jeff’s body to be able to handle the physical requirements of normal daily activity. We know that Jeff’s brilliant sense of humor, his positive demeanor and perseverance will see him through, but he needs your help, too.
How You Can Help
Your positive thoughts, prayers and undying support are critical to Jeff’s recovery, so feel free to post words of encouragement to Jeff right here on this site by adding comments to his postings below.
You can also help raise money to assist with Jeff’s significant medical expenses. As of mid-November, the estimated cost for Jeff’s hospital stay was up to $150,000, which doesn’t include any of the costs for surgeries, doctors’ fees or emergency charges. With least two more surgeries ahead, plus the need to continue with formal physical therapy, you can see how Jeff’s expenses will quickly add up.
Buy tickets for the Broken Barker Bash
Join Wirestone and friends as we toast Jeff’s new lease on life with a great night of music, a silent auction and tons of fun.
When: Friday January 23, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM – ?
Where: The Linen Building, 1402 W Grove St, Boise, ID
Cost: $10
Live music starting at 8:00 PM, featuring:
Bill Coffey & Ned Evett
Travis Ward and Hillfolk Noir
Soft Gong
DJs from the Vinyl Preservation Society
All proceeds from the Broken Barker Bash and the Silent Auction will help pay for Jeff’s medical expenses.
A SPECIAL THANK-YOU
The Broken Barker efforts are only possible because of thoughtful contributions from people like you, including:
- David Hale for his generous donation of The Linen Building for the Broken Barker Bash. http://www.thelinenbuilding.com/
- The members of Soft Gong: Bill Coffey, Ned Evett, John Warfel and Tim Willis http://www.myspace.com/softgong
- The members of Hillfolk Noir, including Travis Ward, Sam Merrick, Alison Ward and Mike Waite http://www.petometz.com/
- The Vinyl Preservation Society http://www.vpsidaho.org/index.html
- Steve Fulton, for his magical sound engineering http://www.myspace.com/stevefultonmusic
- The Modern Hotel http://www.themodernhotel.com/
- Wirestone, LLC http://www.wirestone.com/
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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