PEOPLE!!!!

This September, while taking down a ladder stand to relocate it, I fell 15' on to my back. My two sons, 8 and 5 years old witnessed it - they both thought I was dead. 500 yards off the road, no cell phone coverage, 2 hours from home... get the picture??? 15' does't sound like much, but I had time to tell myself, this is going to hurt as I was falling, it seemed to take forever to hit the ground.

The good news! I hit the ground - I didn't land on the metal stand or the stumps from the sapplings I cut at the base of the tree. As soon as I had my breath, I said a prayer. Although I couldn't yet stand, I assured the boys I was fine and I just needed a few minutes. Thank God thats all I needed. Within five minutes, I was up, but it the worst pain I've ever felt.

It was the longet most painful 2 hour drive I've ever had. When I got home I couldn't even lay down. I went to the emergency room, they said two other men came in during past month from falling out of stands and were both paralized. After an exam, I had no broken bones or disc issues, just muscle issues. I've been back in the woods several times in Oct preparing my stands and blinds. I was VERY fortunate and thank God EVERYDAY. Someone above mentioned they only go up 10'... Christopher Reeve fell off a horse and was paralized. That's what??? 7 feet?

Sorry to be long winded. When I was reading about how many of you are not wearing saftey harnesses, I freaked! It is a MUST. Please don't take changes. I know my sons will always use the safety harnesses after seeing me fall. I'm looking at life very differently now. I'm lucky to be hunting NC opening day this Sat!

WEAR YOU HARNESS!!!!!