I debated about writing this but decided to post it so I don’t have to tell the story multiple times to each of the people I know…

First, the Good News …

My sister-in-law, Pat, came to visit us from Michigan while we are in Northern Virginia.  We had a series of tourist-type things planned in the Washington DC area including a Segway Tour of the National Mall so Pat could see as much as we could squeeze in during her visit (Smithsonian, Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House grounds, etc.).  Sunday was the Segway tour, Monday a trip to Mount Vernon, and Tuesday was a tour of the White House (no Donald in sight) with a few other stops planned over the weekend.

The Segway was a three hour tour (that should have been a tip-off right there–no island in sight though), a little tricky getting balanced on the Segway initially but after a brief demo and some practicing, the tour group of eight was ready to roll.  Heide and I followed in line with me being last of the eight and Heide right in front of me.  Those little suckers can do about 15 miles per hour so they really zip along the sidewalks and we covered a lot of ground.

…And now the BAD news

As we neared the end of the tour, there were some pedestrians on the sidewalk strolling three abreast and Heide swerved to go around them.  Unfortunately, her left wheel drop off the edge of the side walk (about 2-3 inch drop), she lost her balance and fell off the Segway.  I was riding right behind her.  I could not swerve or stop quickly enough to avoid hitting her and ran right over one or both of her legs as she lay there on the ground.

In the end, neither Heide nor I can remember which leg I hit.  It’s quite possible the fall broke her left leg as there is a tire-track bruise on her right leg but we can’t be certain.  “Honest, your Honor,  it was an accident!”

In the end, her left leg is broken just below the knee and two bones in her left ankle are also broken.  The doctor believes the bones are in proper alignment and will likely not require surgery. She is in the hospital and they have her wrapped in a soft, full-leg cast for the time being.

Because we are currently staying in a townhouse with three floors (i.e., STEPS) and the 3.5 bathrooms all showers in tubs rather than shower stalls, it was decided by the doctors and physical therapy folks that it would be safer for her not to go directly home from the hospital.  They swear they aren’t trying to keep her away from me !!!

She is not permitted to put any weight whatsoever on the leg and with the townhouse layout, she will be spending at least the next three weeks in a rehabilitation hospital here in Northern Virginia.  I will transfer her later today to the rehabilitation hospital.

The doctor has prescribed morphone for Heide’s pain and Scotch for my guilt….