M-D TDC & TDR Member POW-MIA needs our support..

[Hammer]

For those here don't who know Matt Stepler,POW-MIA as he is known on here,I have some bad news about him.



While riding his newly aquired,long time wanted Harley home after a night out with some of my fellow co-workers he was involved in a terrible crash with a car Thursday nite late on I-81 South.



I do not know all the facts of the accident and after chatting with Matt today he doesn't know either what happened. He remembers getting on the bike,getting on I-81 South and thats it. The next thing he remembers is waking up at Hershey Medical Center and feeling like a tank ran him over. He doesn't even remember the trip to Hershey aboard the "Life Lion" Chopper. His list of injuries are long and include both arms smashed,broken pelvis and hip,various broken toes and the rest bruised and very sore. He will be at Hershey Medical Center for a while and then moved to a rehab hospital after they are comfortable he can begin. I am going to stop by Hershey Tommorrow after doing some CB antenna installs at work and find out more for you all. I have his room number and phone number but have been asked for now to hold them as he can not answer a phone. I will try and get a idea of how long he will be there for those who desire to drop him a card.



I have asked Matt if he needs anything and he humbly said no. I offered to him if he needs us to make sure we get a call. This will in all certainty make him miss Spring Fling. I have told him we would haul him and the hospital bed to the show and park him to see all the goings on if needed and he will keep me informed what the doctor says as the date draws closer. Does the group want to do something at the show for him?.



Keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers as he has a LONG road to recovery and its going to be filled with many bumps and bruises along the way. I'll drop a update tommorrow with a way to send cards to him if anyone desires.



Myself,I will miss Matt's smiling face at work each day and want to wish him a speedy recovery. If there is anything I can do for ya Matt you know where to find me... ... ..... Andy

 

[lmills]

Andy, please keep us informed and let us know if we can do anything. Also, get an address for cards and flowers

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Andy,



My thoughts and prayers go out to him, and I hope he has a speedy recovery. I am up for doing something at Spring Fling. Maybe taking up a collection for him, to help pay some of his hospital bills? Whatever we can do to help. Keep us updated on his progress.





Jim

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Hope all turns out well for him. If you cant post the Hospital address, pm me with it so I can at least send a card to him.

 

[Hammer]

Update.....

I went today and had a nice visit with Matt. To describe how sore he is I am not sure I can find the words. His injuries are great and will have him in Hershey Medical center for a while longer. He still has yet to undergo surgery for the severe damage to his wrists and arms. The right arm has a traction device attached directly to his bones to try and keep them in place until he heals some so they can do the necessary work to attach the metal plates and pins. The left arm and wrist is immobilized so he can not damage it until the do the plate and pin deal to it also. The left pelvis and hip are broken and will heal on their own. The broken toe(He has only one and its on the right foot)will also heal by iteself and require no extra work. The nurses at Hershey had him up today already and made him walk the hallway down to the window and back. Upon my exit I chatted with her ans asked if thats normal and she said yes as its needed to help maintain circulation in his legs to keep blood clots out. Matt told me the worst part of the walk is the special shoe for his toe damage as it has him off balance and with the other hip and pelvis broken its was a PIA to walk. He does have a terrible case of road rash on his backside and told me if it wasn't for the high dollar leather jacket it would have been much worse and for that he was thankful he spent it. He has road rash on his head and face also due to being thrown free of the bike. Minor rib injuries and a concussion are the least threatful injuries. I asked him if he slept any last nite and he told me he would have if the nurses wouldn't have been keep waking him every hour or so to take his blood pressure. I told him that was their way to keep the checks up on the consussion and make sure he was ok.



He said today he hurts more when we make him laugh and the guys he rode with had him in stiches while they were there. Told me he will not forget and will get even with them,LOL. He also thanked us for all of our concerns and I told him again if he needs us to make sure he calls. He can not answer the phone due to the arm and wrist breakage so calls are out of the order. However he will be there for a while yet and I'll add a address below for anyone who wishes to send a card. Matt asked for no flowers as he has a small room and it tough enough to mave around.



His spirits are high even though through his tough guy act you can see easily he is a hurting pup. I will make sure I keep a check on him and stop on my way to work to check on him. Time will tell how long he will be laid up and off work. His next stop after Hershey will be a rehab hospital and thats down the road a while. Keep him in your thoughts as I am certain he will need some help as he gets well... ..... Andy



For those who wish to drop a card here is the address.....



Matt Stepler

Room 5263

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

P. O. Box 850

Hershey, PA 17033



Visitation hours are 11:00am until 8:00pm

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Any word on how hes doing ?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

So sorry to hear about a fellow biker going down. I know how he feels and how long his recovery will be. Let him know we are thinking about him and to take it one day at a time and do what's right in front of him. If he starts thinking about everything he'll get overwhelmed - been there done that.

 

[Carlsummers]

Hat to hear that. Hope he improves quickly. That is the very reason I gave up riding a year ago... . too many easy ways to get hurt out there.....

 

[Hammer]

Update. .



Matt has had his surgery on his hands and has been sent home. He is staying with his parents as he needs alot of attention. I will check in with him and see whats next. I will also check and see if a contact address can be palced here for those who desire one.



Sorry about the minor delay but work has me running ragged with this new schedule and the time slot has my sleep messed up a tad... ... ... Andy

 

[magothy1]

Yup, do keep us up on the address. Whew, it does give ya a little pause when you crank the the thing up. I was told there's two kinds of rides, those who've crashed and those who haven't crashed yet. As far a road stuff, I'm still on the lucky side.