Vicki's recovery at Smith Mountain Lake

[Subsailor637]

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/08/28/virginia-shooting-victims-husband-i-blame-the-guy-holding-the-gun-not-the-gun/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Saw this out there.

Must have really been hard for Tim to speak to reporters when all his thoughts and energies are focused on Vikki but he is spot on with his remarks.  We have become a society where it is NEVER the fault of the person doing a despicable, evil thing; it's not the person's fault when they commit a crime or injure innocent people. It's the (insert whomever the perpetrator is blaming or the gun's fault or the gun laws fault, etc, etc.). When we stop holding people accountable for small things they no longer feel they should be responsible for big things.  I know I am in danger of breaking the rules for no political discussions on this board (and that's not what I am trying to do) but one of our own has been taken down in a senseless act and I am both saddened and sickened by it.  As sailors we are always responsible for what we do or don't do to keep our boat, passengers and those around us safe;  I just wish the rest of society did the same

[Eagleye]

Tim and Vicki,
This is such a shock. I never made the connection as I was catching bits and pieces of the news.  Suzie and I send our thoughts and prayers to you and wish for a speedy recovery.  We had actually discussed coming to SML for the wine festival in Sept.  I know that you and  Vicki were a major players for organizing that event.  I am lost for words......

Best to you both,
Allen & Suzie

[nreamer]

Must have really been hard for Tim to speak to reporters when all his thoughts and energies are focused on Vikki but he is spot on with his remarks.  We have become a society where it is NEVER the fault of the person doing a despicable, evil thing; it's not the person's fault when they commit a crime or injure innocent people. It's the (insert whomever the perpetrator is blaming or the gun's fault or the gun laws fault, etc, etc.). When we stop holding people accountable for small things they no longer feel they should be responsible for big things.  I know I am in danger of breaking the rules for no political discussions on this board (and that's not what I am trying to do) but one of our own has been taken down in a senseless act and I am both saddened and sickened by it.  As sailors we are always responsible for what we do or don't do to keep our boat, passengers and those around us safe;  I just wish the rest of society did the same

Well said.

[Pete H]

Tim and Vicki,

We saw the some coverage of this incident on the news down here over the last couple of days, mainly concerning the reporter and cameraman who were killed. Then this morning the news had you being interviewed, this was the first time we realised that there was another victim who had been critically injured but had survived, but it wasn't until I logged on to here that I realised just who it was that had been so terribly injured.
Evalyn and I of course don't know you and Vicki personally, only through your presence on the website and via our shared interest in sailing. However such is the power of social media like this website that we do feel a connexion.
We send our best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery to Vicki, and also to you and all the others in your community affected by this tragedy.

Peter and Evalyn Holly
Ararat,
Victoria
Australia

[Tim Gardner]

Hello to all the Com-Pac-O-Nauts

Vicki was up and walked around the ICU for about an hour today. Wore her out, big time.

We want to thank you for the good wishes all y'all are sending our way. Even Australia!

Her next challenge will be to go forward to bend on the Asym.

Thanks guys, really.
TG

[Bob23]

This is great news, Tim! Please be sure to give her my best- I so much enjoyed meeting her at CLR 2015 and really love her unique sense of humor. Just looking at some photos from the post race hydration session- I have a few good ones of her floating around, dog in her lap and a drink in each hand! Still supporting you both!!!
Bob

[Craig]

Great news Tim! Our prayers have been answered!

[kickingbug1]

this is such a relief!

[frank]

WOW....just catching this now. So sorry to hear....SO happy it is turning out OK!
Glad that she is up and walking. A scary-life changing event I'm sure.......
Hope the recovery continues to go great !

[MKBLK]

Great news, Tim. Barb and I are thrilled that she's doing well. Hope we can all get together soon. Maybe if the SML rendezvous is postponed, we possibly can do a BBB-2015.1 at SML.

Marty K.

[K3v1n]

That is great to hear Tim. I and my family are keeping you guys in our thoughts and prayers.

-Kevin

[deisher6]

Tim: 
Beverly and I  would like to add our best wishes and prayers for you, your wife and Buddy the Sea Dog.  We hope that Vicki had a speedy uncomplicated recovery.

Have been sailing away from home and news for the past three weeks.  Heard about the shooting from a dock master a few days back, but did not realize that it involved you all until I read 'the Blog'. 

Again our thoughts are with you.

regards charlie

[bmiller]

After selling Pooka I check in here once in awhile to be sure you are all doing well. I was completely shocked to read this.

Tim I wish you and Vicki all the best.

[fried fish]

Yay Vicki!
All the best,
Fred

[Tim Gardner]

Some updates:  Excerpted from Vicki's Recovery Page on Facebook.

Aug 30:  Vicki got a lot of rest today after doing a couple laps around the ICU (she placed 1st in her age group). Her doctors and nurses say that she is the poster child for bullet wound recovery. She remained cool and calm while having her surgical wounds redressed, a process that the nurses claim to have made "tough, tattooed, and proud men send echoing cries across the trauma floor." We are so proud of her endurance and strength.

Aug 31:

Vicki spent most of her day attempting to sleep because it seems she is trying to adopt a nocturnal lifestyle. The nurse wants her to sleep better at night, so we tortured her with corny jokes and what she considered barbaric physical therapy. According to her nurse, the more she complains about being uncomfortable, the better she is recovering- so we tried to speed up the process with our relentless Gardner poking and teasing. Based on our results the outlook looks good.
smile emoticon

Also, she is LOVING all of the positive encouragement that is being sent both online and in writing. Your comments are fun to read when we are trying to keep her occupied. If you have a funny Vicki story, send it in a message and we'll read it to her this week. Thank you!!

Tim, Jacqui and Erin and all of the spouses and begats of the family