My name is Celinda McCormick.  Until all legal matters are wrapped up I will not indulge the names of the others involved.  This site is a docmentary of my 3rd Rot Rally (ROT 2004) including preperations, fun pic, and the aftermath so far.

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM (October 15, 2005)

The 2002 and 2003 Rot rallies I was just a passenger with hubby who rode the custom V-6 trike he and a friend fabricated.  There were times I wanted to go for a ride but he didn't or couldn't so in Feb 2004 I took a TXDOT approved Motorcycle safety/training course.  I passed the course with flying colors and got my motorcycle license Feb12, 2004.  Hubby had bought me a 2001 Harley Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster.  I joined the San Angelo branch of the West Texas Chapter of H.O.G. (Harley Owner's Group). She's a beautiful bright yellow and rides great.  So great in fact that hubby decided he needed to find me another bike to ride so he could have the Harley at his beck and call.  

  Andrew my great dane keeping the Harley protected.

We drove all over Texas looking at bikes but couldn't agree on anything.  One night we happened across a 1997 Suzuki Marauder that not only he liked but screamed out to me "Take me home!".  The next day when I arrived home for lunch there in the driveway sat my new bike, the Marauder!!!  I rode her every chance I could to get used of her handling and to improve my riding skills.  I even got my 1st personailzed plate for her that read "BKRLDY" because I was so proud of her that I wanted everyone to know she was mine.  For Mother's Day my hubby even gave me a bike bell for her!

I ended up putting over 2000 miles on her in preparation for the Rot rally.  I've driven cages (enclosed vehicles) in Austin and knew I'd need all the riding experience I could get.  We still decided to trailer the bikes down behind my van to not overwhelm me.  We got to the rally early on thursday June 3rd, 2004, found a good tent spot and quickly started our tour of the vendors so that if something caught our eye we could comparison shop first a little before buying.  We bought a few things including my 1st leather vest for my collection of pins and patches from other events.  We joined in the friday evening parade to downtown Austin.  Myself and lots of others had ourselves a blast honking back to the  thousands of waving and honking bystanders.  I even managed to get a few high fives from fellow ladies screaming "You Go Girl!" while slowing riding through the throngs of folks by where we parked our bikes in front of the Tx Capital.  Austin police officers on their PD bikes were having a ball with us.

 The last pic of a healthly me and my bike

 Saturday is where my memories end.  So far all I remember is meeting up with 50+ riders at two of the poker run stop areas (stop pts 2 and 3).  I never made it to the final stop to draw my hand.  Now all I can tell you is what the Texas DPS have written on the 3 pg report.  A 43 yr old white man from other part of Tx had borrowed someone's white custom Harley Davidson motorcycle and was swerving in and out of the lanes of traffic showing off.  He had NO motorcycle license endorsement!!!   He ended up laying the bike down in the rd, the man was swept away from traffic but the bike he was riding hit a gravel truck causing enough damage that the 2 people in the gravel truck sent the truck into an embankment where the truck's fuel tanks caught fire after the 2 people inside got out with minor injuies.  Then the bike was thrown into my bike while I was going an estimated 65mph.  Because of so many other traffic accidents my husband was told by 911 that no critical care helicopters were available.  He witnessed part of the accident from this side mirrors.  After an hr an ambulance arrived to take me to Brackenridge Trauma Center in Austin..  I was sent staight into the Intensive Care Unit with life threatening injuries where I stayed for 10 days.  Those injuies include  but not limited to severe head trauma, fractured skull between my left ear and eye, compound fracture of my left collar bone so my left arm is in a sling, multiple fractures to my left lower leg that's in a bright pink cast, broken scapula (left shoulder bone) which impacted my back ribs bad enough to fracture tham too.  There was horrible road rash all over my left side from sliding across the hwy.  I am bound to a wheelchair and a bed with only a mobile potty chair for the disabled as my break.  I can't yawn, laugh, sniff, or anything else without pain.  I should have died in the accident the way it happened but luck, the Good Lord, and some damn good guardian angels were there for me that day.  I can't imagine the hell it was for hubby to see it all happen.  I was told that in the hospital he kept blaming his self for buying me a bike and not stopping me from riding.  I've told him that I do plan on riding again once I'm totally mended and he's not happy about it but I don't give up easily either, lol.  Oh and by the way, all the typing has been done with only my good right hand.

Below is what was left of the bikes.  Here is what's left of the Harley that hit me.

 Here is what's left of my beautiful bike.  The frame is bend in more than 7 places, the forks look like they've been curled under, and I've never seen any impact break a front rim like this ones.

Below is a photo of where my body came to rest in the road and the splatter of blood I produced.  My bike ended up much further down the rd.

Notice what a beautiful day and road it was.  

You can email me at LadyHDSportster@aol.com

Ok folks, time for an update (9-11-04).  

First the BAD news: The total broken and shattered bones came to 17, they are: shattered left collarbone, broken left shoulder blade, both left inner ear bones shattered and the reason for my deafness on that side, plus damage to my right eardrum so my hearing went from 100% to about 75% total hearing, as for my shattered ribs, all but the top rib bone were shattered in the middle from the impact but also broken off at my spine, 4 of my left toes were broken in the bones leading to the toes (from my steel toed boots being impacted by the Harley), crushed 5th metatorsal (outside weight bearing ft bone) in my left ft, and multiple shattered bones in my upper left ft and ankle from the head-on impact of the Harley.  Because of the inner ear bones being shattered, I now suffer from equilibrium problems (dizziness).  Because my left arm was in a sling for so long letting my collarbone start to fuse back together my left arm is somewhat useless plus my left wrist barely moves and has stayed swollen (as has my left ft) for over 3 mths now.  3 brain hemorages and a punctured lung as well as LOTS of road rash scars on my left arm, leg, and left side of my head.

I attend phyical therapy for my lower injures 2+ hrs a day, 3 days a wk.  And I have to attend a seperate occupational therapy for my upper body injuries another 2+ hrs a day, 3 days a wk.  With my left leg in a cast for so long without being weight bearing I have developed osteoporosis in my ankle/leg joint.  I now am in a heavier, more cumberson medical 'boot' and have started having to use a walker on a VERY limited basis to get my leg weight bearing again to stop the osteoporosis.  It's painfull, VERY painful since recent xrays show that the shattered foot/ankle bones haven't fused together yet, so I'm literally putting weight on broken bones, but it's a necessity and Dr prescribed.  And I won't look the same either to some degree because with some of those shattered bones, like the collarbone and ribs, there will always be a large welt (calcium deposit) over the shattered area.  I have gained little use of my left arm/hand, and same for my left ft/ankle, but we've seen minor improvements.  It's just going to be a LONG road...and ofcourse I'm lacking in the patience department so I'm learning how to have that too, cuz I have NO choice but to have patience.

Here's an updated pic of me...yep, I still LOVE CHROME!:

My head wound has had the stitches removed but it's still an open wound and bleeds occassionally.  It's down to the size of a nickel now and requires daily medical ointments and cleansing.  Some of my hair in that area has started going back in, about 1" of growth in the last few months, but very noticable so I often wear a dew rag, baseball cap, or bandana to avoid being stared at.  I tire easily now a days.  Whereas I used to work 7 days a wk, standing sometimes 5-6 of the 8 hrs I worked.

Now for the GOOD news: due to this site and the typical biker fellowship, I have found some great new biker friends!!!  One group in particular I must mention is the Women On Wheels West Texas Chapter- the IronDragons!!!  I had been emailing with them before the accident looking for a riding group of ladies to join.  When they heard of my wreck, they rode down within 3 wks of my hospital release to cheer me up in the best way possible....RIDING THEIR BIKES DOWN!!  Not only did I get to meet them, but their rides as well.  An AWESOME group of gals and their families!!!!  They also made me a member of the chapter which has been one of the highest points in my road to recovery!  I also got to meet with my local HOG (Harley Owners Group) the West Texas (San Angelo riders) Chapter that I joined just before the wreck.  Everyone has been so great.  Some have been in my shoes, some dread the time they might spend in my shoes someday.  The people and fellowship of these groups is why I rode, and why I plan on riding again someday even if I'm limited to being a passenger or on a trike due to the equilibrium problems. Here is a group pic of me with the WOW group that I am very proud to share.  Look at these faces, they ARE the folks all bikers should strive to be like!  They are everyday people, with many different jobs and backgrounds, but with the same PASSION for riding and the love of family, friends, and motorcycles!

Let me add something here.  While I'm a Harley girl, I was riding my Suzuki that fateful day.  Myself and others have gone over the accident scenario hundreds of ways with the same conclusion.  What saved my life that day was my bike, YOLO.  It was she that took the vast majority of the impact and in doing so she saved my life.  Only to be completely totalled.  It is to her that I owe my life and ofcourse to all my numerous doctors and supportive friends.  It is with fond memories that I think about how I was checking on her EVERY night before going to bed, and cheerfully telling her I'd see her in the morning for a ride.  It's been over 3 mths, and I still cannot see a pic of her without crying my heart out.  It's the ache of losing a best friend.  I had always taken the best care of her, and in returned, she took care of me TO THE END.

The hardest part of my down time was hearing of the death of Indian Larry.  He was a mechanical chopper genius and one of my biker idiols.  Sadly he died of similiar head injuries that I lived through.  It was a big guilt trip for me.  But in the immortal words tattoed on his neck "Vengence is Mine Sayeth the Lord.  NO FEAR".  When I do get to ride again, my first ride will be claimed in his honor.  He won't ever be forgotten!  Rest in Peace fellow biker brother Larry.

Back to uplifting words.  I'm still an eternal optimist and WILL overcome all of this one way or another, somehow.  I've learned alot out life, don't waste it or take ANYTHING for granted...especially walking, and being able to do things for yourself.  My 12 yr old daughter has gone above and beyond the call in helping me.  She was forced to grow up quickly because of this but never EVER has said anything negative about it, or complained of having to do my usual household work.  But we are both greatful for EVERY moment we have together now, because we know how lucky I am and how close to death I was.  I thank God every day for the extra time I've been given to spend with her.  And yep, she's still a biker lady in training, lol.

One more updated pic, taken Sept 11th, 2004. On this, the 3rd annivesary of one of the worst events in our Nation's history.  This pic is dedicated to the memory of those whose lives were stolen from us that day and the lives of our soldiers lost serving freedom proudly.  Here's my tribute to their dedication and strength, and to let everyone know that even when things are tough and look impossible, where there's a will, there's a way!  As my way of remember my deceased bike, YOLO, that saved my life, I've put her red leather fringed handlebar grips on my walker.  On my left leg is new medical 'boot' that has replaced my steel toes.

Time for another update (3-21-05)

Good and bad news.  Good news is that Nov 18th I took my first ride SOLO again!!!!  Ok, that's AWESOME NEWS!  I pushed myself but didn't go past the boundries I had set.  The first being able to swing my leg over Sweetheart.  Then was being able to use my bad left ankle/foot to shift the foot shifter.  Next step was to be able to push her around the yard, driveway and even the grass to make sure I could do it.  Next start her up and see if the vibration hurt any of my bones.  After each hurdle was reached with NO pain I finally made the decision to try starting her up and putting her in gear.  In case I panicked I had my thumb over the kill switch.  But 10 ft out of the driveway, there are no words to describe the months of rehab, the months in the wheelchair, all the while with the goal of riding again, and I was doing it finally!  I rode a full tank of gas out of her (3.3 gal tank) before I felt fatigued and came home.  

The ride was completely different than any times I'd fired her up before.  I can only figure that before the wreck, I'd heard 1 too many people tell me about how easy it is to get killed on a bike.  Well, I saw the gates of hell and rode back.  I don't feel immortal, but the confines of fearing death by motorcycle were gone leaving me free to truelly enjoy the ride without the worries I'd rode with before the wreck.  I was so comfortable I did something I hadn't done before on the Sportster, with it being the fall season and on a quiet residential street, I played weave cones with piles of leaves in the road, lol.  And yes, I mentally sent a message to Indian Larry that this was for him, as well as for me.  He didn't get to ride again, and by the love of God I was granted the chance to once again be on 2 wheels.  I learned that God has a reason for everything, whether we like it or not, he has a plan.  And that should the day come that it's my time to go, it will happen regardless of where I am, what I'm doing, or what I'm riding.

No, hubby isn't happy about it, but then Dec 11th he followed me on his trike with our daughter on the W Tx HOG Toys For Tots toy run/biker parade.  After seeing me in the saddle again, he didn't fight it anymore.  He's lost the fight already, lol.

Now for the bad news.  My riding has been halted once again.  Remember that bad left ankle from the wreck?  Well, Feb 28th it wobbled while I was going down the porch steps causing me to fall.  I tried stopping the fall by grabbing the fence with my good right arm.  Instead I broke my right shoulder in 2 places and dislocated it.  So once again my wings are clipped.  But this time Sweetheart decided to have sympathy pains for me.  Hubby took her out for excercise and she got a screw in the side wall of her back tire.  So now my right arm is mending with lots of torn muscles, and her back tire is flat.  I tell her that while we're both disabled right now, we'll be back on the road in a month or so :)  My shoulder is healing ok, I have to wear a sling when I go out in public so it's not bumped or jarred.  Life is tough, but I am tougher!  :)

Pic taken by hubby 3-18-05 of me wearing the shirt my sister sent me for my birthday :)

UPDATE!!! 5-23-05  I'M RIDING AGAIN!  So now I've had 19 broken/shattered/dislocated bones in 8 mths but as of May 4th when I got clearance from my new orthopedic Dr from the most recent breaks and dislocation.  I was on my bike that night.  Our daughter caught a pic of me riding with our cell phone camera (I had forgot she had it with her and her dad in the car as I rode home from work one day last wk).

ALSO...HUBBY IS RIDING AGAIN TOO!!  May 7th we went to Kent's HD Dealership in Abilene, Tx for the MDA event.  Hubby fell in love with a 2005 HD Softail Deluxe so he has a new bike and I have my old riding partner back!!  Here's a pic of his new scooter I've named Beauty.  He still refuses to wear gear of any sort but I'm working on that :)

One more thing, I'll be adding a 2nd and probably 3rd page to this site this wk with the DPS wreck photos so y'all can see more of what happened and the aftermath.  So check back!!  AND GUESS WHAT!!!  I'LL SEE Y'ALL AT THE 2005 ROT RALLY!  I may be on 4 wheels this yr but I'll be there just the same!  

DPS PHOTOS NOW AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING FROM THE ACTUAL WRECK SITE WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE ROAD!!!!

VIEW THE PICS AT: http://www.members.aol.com/LadyHDSportster/ROTDPSpics.html

Now call up a friend or go see a family member and TALK/VISIT with them because you'll never know when will be the last chance you get.  You might not be as lucky as me to have a second chance at life.

And for Christ sake...ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET AND RIDING GEAR!  NO EXCUSES!  As someone once said "Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly".

New biker friends are always welcomed and wanted, just email me at LadyHDSportster@aol.com