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bajanow
Junior Nomad
Posts: 47
Registered: 5-27-2005
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Highway rollover accident
NEAR TRAGEDY IN MEXICO
Newport Beach surfing family nearly killed in serious car accident in Central Baja
By: Marcus Sanders with Tom Cozad
August 8, 2007 Marko Foam president and Newport Beach surfer Ty Peterson, his wife Becky, sons Riley and Coby, as well as area groms Tyler Porteous
and Victor Done were driving to a famed Baja pointbreak on Sunday, August 5th for a ten-day summertime surfing holiday when disaster struck.
Their white, full-size 4WD truck was packed with gear and groms, had 14 boards strapped to the roof and was dragging a small loaded trailer behind it.
They were about 10 hours into their trip, winding through the mountainous desert of Central Baja when it happened. "We were behind a semi truck, and
he gave me the left blinker, which meant it was OK to pass," remembers Becky, who was driving. "I passed him and then the road got really narrow while
I was passing and I think the left front tire got stuck in the soft shoulder and the car started immediately fishtailing." The trailer added to the
momentum of the swinging car, and it eventually flipped over. "I don't know if I'd ever travel with a trailer again," Becky explained. "It completely
took over the car -- it was freaky."
I think we flipped over three times," remembers 15-year-old Newport Beach goofyfoot Victor Done. "I hit my head in the first one, blacked out for a
minute, and when I came to after the truck landed, I couldn't see anyone right away, I didn't know if anyone lived or not. Pretty soon I just saw
bodies and stuff all over everywhere, but everyone was OK. We all walked away."
After it landed upside down in the dirt, the only people remaining in the car were Victor (passenger seat) and Becky Peterson, who was driving.
Everyone who was in the back seat was thrown from the car as it rolled. Riley and Coby Peterson and Tyler Porteous escaped with assorted bumps,
bruises and road rash, but Ty Peterson ended up with severe injuries, including broken ribs, four pelvic fractures, six broken vertebra and a
punctured lung. (All injuries are now stable and recoverable.)
There were also three other surf families ahead of the Petersons in different vehicles, and as soon as word reached them, they all drove back to help
the shaken family. "Lyle David really helped out a lot," remembers Victor. "You have to make smart fast decisions in a time like that and that's
exactly what he did. He helped a lot." "It's amazing we're all alive. No one should've lived through that."
15 year old surfer Victor DoneLuckily, there was an accident a couple miles north of where they went off the road, and the ambulance was able to get
them to the Central Baja town of Guerrero Negro, where Ty and Becky spent the night in the local clinic and the groms stayed in a hotel before all
being flown out the next morning to a hospital in San Diego.
"The local clinic was minimal," explains Becky. "It had no drinking water or ice or anything, but the people there was so generous with everything,
especially Dr. Alvaro Orvales, who helped translate for us."
"The big lesson here is that anyone traveling in Baja should have good insurance, a SAT phone and a plan for something like this," Becky continued.
(Though she did point out that she had huge first aid kit in the car but was unable to access it.) "We were really lucky."
"It's amazing we're all alive," Victor agreed. "No one should've lived through that."
SURFLINE/SURFNEWS
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rpleger
Super Nomad
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Mood: Was good.
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Wow, I'm glad you got thru it all OK.
Richard on the Hill
*ABROAD*, adj. At war with savages and idiots. To be a Frenchman abroad is to
be miserable; to be an American abroad is to make others miserable.
-- Ambrose Bierce, _The Enlarged Devil\'s Dictionary_
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
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Mood: missing Baja...
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Sounds like the "Groms" in the backseat were without seatbelts??!!!Glad everyone is alive!
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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They were travelling in a Sportsmobile, a souped-up, high$, high-COG 4WD van and towing a trailer. The news did not mention, or at least I did not
see, in what highway or particular location the accident happened. Anyone knows?
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Halboo
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Registered: 2-19-2006
Location: 33°26\'00.15\"N 117°37\'09.84W
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Grom is short for Grommet = a young surfer
I received the full details of this crash and an update in emails in the past days.
Excuse the darts in the update
>Friends,
>Without authorization from the witnesses and families affected by this
>horrific accident, I offer what follows as a summary of things that have
>come to light since everyone returned safely to their homes. Initially, the
>reports we received from Mexico were "as told" by a random local who Lyle
> avis was able to persuade to make a call to Kirk Norton back in the
>states.
>As might be expected from this type of relay of such critical information,
>piercing through language barriers at the very outset, there were many
>misconceptions about what actually transpired. I would emphasize that based
>on our total ignorance of the crisis as it unfolded, it would be a mistake
>to ever discuss notions of blame, who was or wasn't there, or who did or
>didn't do anything right or wrong. The focus of all discussions from here
>on
>out must remain in the realm of gratitude. For those of us who have seen
>tragedy up close and personal, this story is clearly one of heroism, valor
>and selflessness by men, women and children who faced life-or-death
>situations involving their closest friends and they faced these things with
>courage and calm. We can all breath a heavy sigh of relief that miracles do
>happen in Mexico.
>
>As we get older, some of us joke about how we had better take advantage of
>our waning abilities to participate in adventure travel before we're too
>old. We joke about how long it takes us to recover from the mildest of
>injuries and we put on believing faces of confidence that we're still young
>and invincible. The truth is, this is the thing that keeps us young the
>most
>- not giving up our souls to the relentless march of time. Either that or
>we're just a bunch of dumb surfers with massive egos and even larger levels
>of denial. But I digress.
>
>For those who aren't familiar with the dangers of traveling to Mexico, it's
>important to know that few places on the planet inspire more fear into
>travelers than the remote areas of Baja California, Mexico. From a lack of
>any semblance of medical facilities, to mandatory and costly bribes to the
>police, to how you might possibly evacuate someone from such hostile lands,
>Baja tops the list of places you'd never want to be hurt in. But for those
>adventurous enough, the potential for uncrowded perfection is too strong an
>appeal. And if you make it there and back once, your confidence builds and
>you continue on annually.
>
>And so four separate families departed on what would be their fifth annual
>trip to Scorpion Bay, nearly 15 hours South of the US/Mexican border. They
>travelled in a 4-car caravan, keeping in close contact by walkie-talkies.
>Two days ago, roughly 12 hours into their drive to Scorpion Bay, the
>Peterson's were involved in a horrific accident. There were 6 passengers in
>their van, including Ty, Becky, their two sons, Coby & Riley, and two of
>their friends, Tyler & Victor. While attempting to pass a slow moving truck
>on the two-lane highway, the wheels of the trailer the Peterson's pulled,
>dipped into the soft-shoulder and whipped their van sideways.
>
>After briefly clipping the side of the truck, their van was thrown off the
>road and began tumbling out into the desert. The roof was peeled off
>immediately, and bodies began flying out of the open roof. Tyler and Ty's
>Golden Retriever Reef, were immediately deposited on the sand on the first
>revolution , then Coby, Riley and Ty soon followed. Fortunately, none were
>buckled in, because the photos we've seen since demonstrate that they
>surely
>would have sustained much more serious injuries had they been strapped in.
>The van was demolished and lie resting upside down with Becky and Victor
>hanging in their seats - the engine still running. Coby was unconscious,
>Riley sustained massive road-rashes on his backside and was bleeding from
>his mouth, Tyler appeared to have broken his collar bone, but was otherwise
>okay and Ty was conscious but unable to move. All were in instant shock.
>Riley found his dad and curled up next to him to keep him company. It was
>midday and many travelers began to stop to either offer assistance or
>pillage what parts of the wreckage they could while the injured tried to
>regroup.
>
>For their part, Lyle & his family, Al Duhoux & his family, and the other
>family (apologies that I don't know their names), began to get suspicious
>that they had lost contact with the Peterson's. Lyle suggested they pull
>off
>the road and wait for them, when another traveler on the highway pulled up
>to them and said, "Your friends ROLLED!" It is a long and desperate story
>that followed, but the bottom line is that all the affected parties were
>evacuated back to the US after a harrowing night in what passes for a
>hospital, and all the other members of the caravan turned around without
>hesitation and drove another 12 hours straight home.
>
>In times of stress and tragedy we know that the true character of a person
>unfolds in it's purest form. At the sight of blood, some of us get
>physically ill and others take charge and tend to the wounded. From all
>accounts of the stories told by those who participated, Ty chooses his
>travel companions well. The proof is that within 24 hours, he was lying in
>a
>hospital at the University of California at San Diego (Kirk was waiting for
>them at the hospital when they arrived, thus providing the first of
>numerous
>signs of support that have unfolded for this greatly loved group of
>friends). All six passengers were safely evacuated, what valuables could be
>recovered were and the quick thinking of Lyle-and-friends prevented what
>can
>often be weeks of negotiating with local police to leave the country. It
>seems equally clear that had Ty not been brought back in the timeliness
>that
>he was, he would likely have succumbed to his wounds. A big thanks to Lyle,
>Al, Robin, Theresa, and all their amazingly brave kids, for keeping calm,
>putting the health and safety of everyone injured before themselves and for
>turning what could easily have been a tragic fatality into what is by all
>accounts a miracle.
>
>So here's the medical summary as we now know it: Becky has a broken finger,
>Coby was knocked unconscious, bruised and shaken, but not otherwise harmed,
>Tyler has a severely bruised collar bone, Victor escaped with minor
>scrapes,
>Riley chipped a few teeth and sustained a great deal of road-rash &
>lacerations to his back and legs, and Ty took the rest for the team. Becky,
>Coby and Riley were all kept in hospital overnight , while Tyler and Victor
>were released yesterday. I should say that it was one of the most touching
>moments I've ever seen when Ty, Coby and Becky were all sharing Ty's ICU
>room in their respective hospital beds. Ty facing out , while Coby and
>Becky
>facing in towards him. Ty lay there with arms held outstretched to clasp
>the
>hands of his wife and son. All three wore neck braces and the conversation
>was saturated with sentiments of love, humor and gratitude.
>
>Ty's condition is serious and he is still in the SICU (Surgical Intensive
>Care Unit) at the Hillcrest facility of UCSD Medical Center. He is in a
>great deal of pain, but the miracle is that he has no spinal, nerve or
>brain
>damage. This is a tough, tough dude we're talking about. After spending the
>day with him and talking with his nurses and doctors, I'm convinced that
>any
>other man would be paralyzed over most of his body.
>
>The update on his injuries includes:
>
>1. Fractured Pelvis on the lower-right-hand side;
>
>2. Several fractured vertebrae in the thoracic and lumbar area (not sure
>which ones or how many). But these fractures left no loose pieces to
>interfere with either mobility or recovery;
>
>3. 12 broken ribs on the right side and 4 broken on the left side. Many of
>the broken ribs are broken in several places, but none were compound;
>
>4. Fractured Occipital Condyle (base of the scull that rests atop the Atlas
>of the spine and allows the head to swivel, dip and turn). Again, this
>fracture appears not to have left any fragments loose, but that estimate
>was
>as of late last night, prior to an MRI.
>
>5. The lung thought to be punctured was in fact badly beaten, but not
>punctured after all. The down-side is that he was left with fluid and air
>trapped between rib-cage and lungs, which required tubes to be inserted
>into
>each side of his rib-cage to allow these elements to extract. Prior to this
>treatment, Ty had a severely swollen face on the left side and could not
>see
>out of his left eye. Within an hour of inserting the tubes, the swelling
>subsided and improvement was both significant and visible.
>
>6. Lost cartilage behind his right ear. This will require they sew his ear
>back to the side of his head until the tissue has a chance to heal. Later,
>they will release the ear to decide if plastic surgery is required. Knowing
>Ty, he'll look great either way.
>
>7. Ty had an unusual amount of gravel stuck in his scalp. For most of the
>day, while talking with him, he'd pick at it and periodically find little
>gems of Baja nuggets to remind him of his ordeal.
>
>For those of us who have had the misfortune of breaking a rib, we know that
>one is enough to bring you to your knees - Ty has 16 broken ribs. The pain
>is indescribable and will last for many weeks. Kirk and I were in Ty's room
>while the Neurosurgeon examined him and our mouths were left wide open at
>the absolutely, totally and in all other ways normal responses Ty was able
>to provide. He is clearly the luckiest man on Earth who offers proof that
>fairies, angels and miracles do exist. He is beaten so badly, but offers
>nothing but humor and his selfless concern for others. He will be fine, but
>it will be a long, long road. He will probably remain in San Diego until
>the
>pain subsides enough to move him closer to home and Becky will remain with
>him for the duration. Nobody except immediate relatives are allowed
>visitation rights in the SICU (Kirk and I told the doctors we were his
>brothers), so please do not plan to visit him there. Nor can he take your
>calls or receive flowers, but I'm sure a card or two might be nice upon his
>return home. Their address is: 1350 Hampshire Circle, Newport Beach, CA
>92660
>
>In closing, it is always inspiring to see the community of friends who come
>to the aid of loved ones. If the measure of a man's wealth is seen in the
>love others have for him, then it is clear that the Peterson's are easily
>the richest people on Earth. Thanks to Kirk and Brett and everyone else who
>had their hands in the swarm of phone calls that began within an hour of
>the
>accident and helped the rest of us feel as though we might have a hand in
>their full recovery. And we all owe Lyle a huge round of applause for
>leading the entire crew in Mexico in their efforts that turned tragedy into
>an outright miracle. Thanks Lyle for bringing our friends home safely.
>
>If you think that someone else might want to peruse this summary, please
>forward it to them. Good will from all parts of the globe speed recovery.
>And Ty, Becky and Riley will need all the good will, good vibes and prayers
>for the speediest of recoveries. And please accept my apologies if any of
>the details have changed since late last night. This is a dynamic and fluid
>event and changes ought to be expected as time rolls on.
>
>All the best,
>Q
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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damn.......
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
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Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Whew
That is absolutely amazing. I am so thankful that they are all still alive.
So Nomads lets all be thankful and not have any more of this blame game...think if it were you and your family.
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
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If those highways had real driveable shoulders, I'd tow a trailer too. On those highways, I'm even scared just driving my tow rig itself. I wish they
do something about those shoulders, especially those ditchy kinds. There's very little margin for error.
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woody with a view
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| Quote: |
either offer assistance or pillage what parts of the wreckage they could while the injured tried to regroup.
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who could possibly pillage in a situation like this? why didn't other passers-by/rescuers kick some major asss?
ah, humanity in the modern world......
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Frank
Senior Nomad
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Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
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Wow, thats a nightmare. I know that stretch of road, just far enough and flat enough to make you feel at ease. Glad everyone made it.
Pillagers? Thats hard to believe, or maybe I dont want to believe it.
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
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Who is playing a blame game? Certainly NOT me!(probably sounded like it tho)I have known people, friends and family that have had roll-overs and
accidents that were NOT wearing their seatbelts and that fact saved their lives! Sometimes I wonder about that law.What an amazing story.Look what
love and a love for life can do.
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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Gadget
Senior Nomad
Posts: 851
Registered: 9-10-2006
Location: Point Loma CA
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Mood: Blessed with another day
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[Halboo,
Just an incredible story. Thank the Lord for watching over us at times like this.
I to have been thrust into this type of situation as members of our pit crew had a head on collision and roll over ( roll over was not a severe as
this one ) in the mountains south of El Rosario. They were just a mile or so from meeting us at our predetermined pit location turnoff when it
happened. The screams on the radio were unforgetable. Both vehicles stayed on the road and were blocking both lanes on a curva peligrosa. It was an
ordeal for sure to tend to everyone and get the road cleaned up for traffic.
Please pass along our deepest and warmest wishes for a speedy recovery and let Ty know we are praying for his healing. The account of his injuries
brought me to tears. Let him know that he has a fellow badly injured ( numerous times ) but not out brother thinking about him.
"Mankind will not be judged by their faults, but by the direction of their lives." Leo Giovinetti
See you in Baja
http://www.LocosMocos.com
Gadget |
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
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Halboo; My Prayers to those involved in this Accident!
I think that your words about the Medical Care in Baja are completely False or writtin from Lack of Knowledge!
You are Dead Wrong and should be Ashamed to Post such information.
From 1968 to 2002 I traveled and lived in Loreto for 16 years full time. After my wife's life was saved in 1992 by the Doctors at the General Hospital
in Villa Constitution when she only had 4 Hours to live, we became involed with the Dovtors in Loreto, Constitution and La Paz.
They may not have all the fancy Equipt, and Facilities but their Compassion and caring far exceeds that of many States Doctors.. Docters are trained
at the University in Mexico City where many American Doctors go for Training
They serve many hours , from 6 AM to Dark taking care of the many Children and their Families.
I watched a Man Die after setting on the Airport Tarmac waiting{10 hours} for a Medical Flight, while the Brokers shopped his Flight for the Cheapest
Price!
You have done a Diservice to the many many good Doctors and Nurses of Baja.
Shame on you !!
Skeet/Loreto
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Halboo; My Prayers to those involved in this Accident!
I think that your words about the Medical Care in Baja are completely False or writtin from Lack of Knowledge!
You are Dead Wrong and should be Ashamed to Post such information.
From 1968 to 2002 I traveled and lived in Loreto for 16 years full time. After my wife's life was saved in 1992 by the Doctors at the General Hospital
in Villa Constitution when she only had 4 Hours to live, we became involed with the Dovtors in Loreto, Constitution and La Paz.
They may not have all the fancy Equipt, and Facilities but their Compassion and caring far exceeds that of many States Doctors.. Docters are trained
at the University in Mexico City where many American Doctors go for Training
They serve many hours , from 6 AM to Dark taking care of the many Children and their Families.
I watched a Man Die after setting on the Airport Tarmac waiting{10 hours} for a Medical Flight, while the Brokers shopped his Flight for the Cheapest
Price!
You have done a Diservice to the many many good Doctors and Nurses of Baja.
Shame on you !!
Skeet/Loreto
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Skeet, sorry to say this, and this probably does not belong in this thread, but you are the one doing a disservice to the travellers to Mexico.
It's not about the quality or caring of the doctors and nurses. The "fancy equipment", as you call it, can at times, and severe trauma can be one of
those times, make the difference between life and death or healing and being crippled.
So BS on you - urgent medical care, in Baja DOES suck - there are countless examples of that, and to ignore it, you gotta be (well, I don't know what
you gotta be, and I'm going to be nice). Even mexican doctors will tell you that if you get in a situation like this one, get the hell out of the
country as fast as you can.
Fortunately these folks were able to do just that, though I can't imagine the pain that must have been endured during that trip. Best wishes to all
involved.
One final question - you're not saying that all doctors in Mexico go to Mexico City for training are you? And given a choice between say UCSD or UCLA
or Johns Hopkins, and Mexico City, where do YOU think a student would go? 
[Edited on 8-10-2007 by Roberto]
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
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Roberto: Suggestion:
You and all of the Travelers and Partime Residents of Baja should take the following Advice;
Go to the American Red Cross and learn First Aid, then when you are involved in a Situtation use that knowledge to Stop Bleeding, CPR, Treat for Shock
all which will give the Injured a better chance to Survive while they await Emergency Care or Transport to the States.
Stop always blaming the Mexican People for their way of Life, stop always expecting it to be the Best!
I have just as many good incidents of very Compassionate and Caring Doctors doing a good job which far out number your reports.
I strongly suggest you go and work with some of the Hospitals, especially the General Hospital in Constitution,
You , like many others can only Cry, Whine and Blame others for your own Shortcomings! Get out and do something Positive, like forming a Cadre of
folks, teaching them First Aid{and Spanish} to give those Injured a better chance to Survive!!!!!
Just think, You might be involved and Save a Persons Life someday!!
Skeet/Loreto
Given the Chance I much prefer the Doctors of Baja than I do in the States where Money is their First Concern and in Baja Compassion is First.
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The Sculpin
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Mood: Riding into the Sunset, looking for a sunrise.
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I understand where Skeet is coming from here. When I read the narrative that Halboo passed on (from Q), a few things struck me as odd.
The first was the "We can all breath a heavy sigh of relief that miracles do
happen in Mexico" - huh?? Personally, I don't believe in miracles. Nevertheless, I'm not sure why they wouldn't happen in Mexico as opposed to
anywhere else in the world.
The dumb surfers part I understand, being one.
This one's a doozy:
"For those who aren't familiar with the dangers of traveling to Mexico, it's
important to know that few places on the planet inspire more fear into
travelers than the remote areas of Baja California, Mexico. From a lack of
any semblance of medical facilities, to mandatory and costly bribes to the
police, to how you might possibly evacuate someone from such hostile lands, Baja tops the list of places you'd never want to be hurt in."
If this guy thinks the world's badlands start and stop in baja, he really needs to get out more. Ever get a nasty infection in the jungles of Borneo -
how about dysentery in Rwanda - a cane toad "bite" in the outback?
Another doozy:
"All six passengers were safely evacuated, what valuables could be
recovered were and the quick thinking of Lyle-and-friends prevented what
can often be weeks of negotiating with local police to leave the country."
Yea, when someone is killed in an accident, that could be one scenario. This was a single car accident and noone was killed, so no need to get
"legalities" involved.
So here's the bottom line: yes this was a horrific accident. Fortunately, the majority of the damage was property. But the account totally ignores
anything done by the locals - as if they didn't even exist. You can see the ambulance in the picture, you know they went to the clinic, you know that
locals were helping to gather belongings and clean up the site (pilfering?), you know there had to be arrangements made for the truck and trailer to
stay, but no where are they mentioned. The whole tone of this is rather patronizing and really leaves a bad taste. I guess "Q" really proves the point
as to why norte's are apprehensive about the "badlands" of baja!
Whoa there, Cowboy - pull back on those reins!
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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How were they evacuated so quickly? I haven't found that info here. Because they were caravaning, did the fact that friends were immediately on hand
contribute to the evacuation? Were they proactive and did they they negotiate with medical services themselves? Were Medavac or any agencies involved?
It does appear that local medical services and clinics played a crucial role in saving at least one life.
This information could help any of us in future need. We have just been discussing medical evacuation in another thread. As usual, there are a lot of
differing opinions. So, how did this group accomplish it?
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Roberto
Banned
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I also understand where Skeet is coming from (I think). It has nothing to do with the quality of health care in traumatic situations.
Skeet, when you make statements like "stop blaming the Mexican people for their way of life" all I can do is shake my head in wonder. Did I interrupt
some bad dream you are having? How do you come to the cry, whine, etc conclusions? In short WTF do you know about me. I am making a comment on one
thing - the quality of urgent medical care in Baja, and I repeat IT SUCKS.
Let me try this one more time, please try to read this and understand what I'm saying. This has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF THE DOCTORS, NURSES
AND PEOPLE OF MEXICO. If I didn't feel the way I do about them I wouldn't go down, plain and simple. Am I getting through to you?
The Mexicans are the FIRST victims of the shortcomings of their system, for chrissake - don't you think the doctors there feel impotent when faced
with situations they can't help because of the shortcomings of the facilities where they work? Wake up and stop thinking in sweeping generalizations
about people - generalizations based on what? You know nothing about me, what I do, what I would be able to do in a situation like this, yet you make
these sweeping statement. Wow! It just leaves me speechless (so to speak).
And another thing:
| Quote: |
Given the Chance I much prefer the Doctors of Baja than I do in the States where Money is their First Concern and in Baja Compassion is First.
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More unadulterated BS. While true that the doctors in the US work within a system that is money is a primary consideration, there are just as many
good and caring doctors (and people) north of the border as there are south. I love the Mexican people. I am Italian, and going south is like going
home. I often say that Mexicans are just Italians that speak the wrong language - but let's stop the romanticizing. There are good people and bad
people everywhere.
And Sculpin, yes, I saw some of those same comments and asked myself WTF? On the other hand, there are lots of other comments, mostly centered on the
extreme danger of driving Mex 1. It's no SoCal freeway, that's for sure, but nothing that not driving above your capabilities can't take care of. I
chose not to comment because people got hurt here, and it seems like there may be better times to do so.
So, drive carefully - no mistakes!
[Edited on 8-10-2007 by Roberto]
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Roberto; Maybe the Cry and Whining should have been for Hulaboo.
Urgent Care Facts: In 1972 prior to the Road opening I sufferred a Heat Stroke at San Nicholas. Driven to the small Clinic Delerious and De
Hydratated. Was kept in the Clinc absorbed 26 Pints of Glucose and some Potassium{8,000 cc's} Survived- Cost Nothing, They just saved my Life.
Wife was taken to General Hospital in Constitution heaby Pain- Periantias= Had four Hours to Live Drs. Gustavo Morales and Dr. Rene Hibiff operated on
Sunday- One Week later she left. Cost $61.00- They saved her Life.
We have been involed with those Doctors Since that time and have observed and have been ask to Translate on several Urgent Care Situtations there in
La Paz and Loreto. At no time did I see are hear a Doctor Complain about not being "Like the States" or about the System. They were all trained in
Mexico City at the University and worked with many Doctors from the States.
I have been on many trips out to give Jackets to the Kids and their Families, talked to the very poor People and never, never heard a Complaint, The
Doctors are too busy helping the People, they Don"t Time to make all that money that the Doctors do in the States!!
Roberto, No I do not know you, Agreed, so What and Who are you? What is your Experience in Baja? With the People?
Hulaboo wrote some very False Statements which I understood you to Support..
So. How about some Facts about the Poor Urgent Care in Baja?
Could some of that be from Americans who have read Stories about Baja supposedly having Poor Care and they themselves do not take that care,
preferring to return to the States, then Bad Mouthing Baja saying they were not taken Of Properly??
I Speak from Experience and in the 35 Years I visited and lived in Baja I found the Doctors much more Compassionate than in the States.
Skeet/Loreto
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Could some of that be from Americans who have read Stories about Baja supposedly having Poor Care and they themselves do not take that care,
preferring to return to the States, then Bad Mouthing Baja saying they were not taken Of Properly??
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Of course. Maybe we're getting somewhere here.
Skeet, I know, understand, and have witnessed the care that Baja folk in general have towards others - regardless of who they are and where they come
from. I support them as much as you do, though you have spend WAY more time there than I have. On the other hand, you're a MUCH older fart than I am.
Anyway, can we get that out of the way? The station that people occupy in life means nothing to me. All I care about is WHO they are, regardless, by
the way, of where they come from.
I'm just saying something very simple, which is this: when it comes to urgent medical care, the equipment can make the difference. I don't care what
country you're in, or what your training is. This is where money DOES make a difference. Medical care can be expensive. Where I come from, major
cities (3 million plus), might have 2 MRI machines. Where I live, in Poway, CA, the neighborhood hospital has two - a small town with MAYBE 100,000
people. How many hospitals in Baja do you think have MRI machines? These are very expensive machines that can and do save lives. When I walk into the
emergency center in the same neighborhood hospital because I've had an accident, they have the facilities to perform an organ transplant if they need
to - maybe not there, but available. How many hospitals in Baja do you think can perform major surgery or organ transplants? Again, I'm not talking
willingness or ability, I'm talking FACILITIES.
But, the bottom line is this. When this type of equipment can make the difference, care in Baja sucks, and the Mexicanos are the ones who suffer. Not
because the people don't care, not because they don't work hard, not because they are bad people (quite the contraty) - but because the system they
live in does not provide them the circumstances to have what they need to take care of themselves. I'm sure you see the difference.
I hope you understand what I'm saying. I know you care about these people, that they are your friends, but frankly, I'm getting pretty sick and tired
of your sweeping sweeping statements about folks with different backgrounds from yours that you have no knowledge about. Tone it down, Skeet, there
are others besides you in the world who care.
[Edited on 8-12-2007 by Roberto]
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