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My main partner in building, my son Luke, was hit by a baseball this afternoon and it broke his jaw. They are putting a plate in tomorrow. In January he was thrown from a school bus and ended up with 2 plates, a pin, and several screws in the right side. Now he'll have a matching plate on the left side.

This probably means he won't get his private pilots license finished up before heading of to Texas to school this fall. He will have his jaw wired shut for 4-6 weeks so will not really be able to use the radios.

I'm pretty bummed out about it and just needed to get it out.

John,

I'm sorry. Life has been a little brutal here lately, so I'm in a mood to feel your pain. You've got my compassion.

Jon

John -
I'm sorry.
I hope he knows you are there for him...
Lorin

Wow John!

That is tragic! Sounds like the poor kid has been dealt a couple of tough hands!

I am sure things will turn around soon and these tragedies will become a memory once the private ticket is finally earned.

Good luck witht he surgury! Hope it all works out fine!

CJ

Thanks for the responses everyone. Today is a new day and he is in good hands for the surgery. I'm sure all will go well. Luke is in amazingly good spirits for what has happened.

One good point is it looks like we will probably make Osh for sure now as this will rule out any state baseball possibilities for him. Just have to always look on the brightest side.

Jon - If there is ever anything I can help with let me know. I know that sometimes I know just talking with someone somewhat removed fro mthe situation can help.

Thanks again!

Wow John, what a year so far! Glad he is in good spirits though! Sounds like he's a great kid. I'm a huge baseball fan, so I can understand the feeling of not getting to play.

Tell him we're all lookin' forward to seeing him at OSH!

Hmmm, maybe he wanted to go to Osh afterall Keep in good spirits, it will pass.

Thanks for the support everyone. We just got him home and thought I would provide an update. They did some more x-rays this AM and decided that they did not need to put in a plate. They ended up wiring the jaw in place after some manipulation. At least that was less obtrusive than the plate.

Looks like 4 to 6 weeks wired shut and then hopefully back to normal. Should be good to go for Osh we hope.

I'm going to talk to his instructor and see if he can fly some with him even though he can't use the radio. He wouldn't be able to do any solo stuff but at least he could get some more hours in. It would be really nice if he could get his private before heading off in August. He has about 25 hours now, has soloed, and was ready for cross country. Anyone have any input or comments? Should he try to build some hours while "muzzled" or just wait, which would probably mean next summer?

Oh yeah, I forgot, sounds like he can start bucking rivets next week.

I wouldn't see why he could not work on navigation or get a cross country in. And ya know, there are places still where you can fly and not use the radio

John,

Sorry to hear about your son.. Sounds like your doing what a dad can at this point and I'm proud of you for being there for him.

Sounds like a great kid if he's handling it all with good spirits.

Hope to see both of you at OSH.. I'm sure he'll enjoy it.