LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE.

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas

--When a car traveling about 70 mph hit cyclist Matt Stanley, it catapulted him 20 feet facing the road breaking his left leg and left arm in couple places. It also broke his right clavicle.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the captain landed forward a rattlesnake.

In a reverse of luck, however, the snake didn't bite him.

"I gues [the snake] figured when it starts raining folks it's just time to leave," Stanley quipped.

In another knock of luck, the first responder to the accident happened to be Laughlin's of recent origin medical group commander, Col. (Dr) pitch Hardin, who was on his way to San Antonio when he herd by the scene. Hardin treated Stanley's injuries and accompanied him to Val Verde Re gional Medical Center in Del Rio.

formerly stabilized, Stanley was taken according to ambulance to Del Rio International Airport where a life-flight helicopter ferried him to Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

sum of two units months and three surgeries later, with a metal switch in his femur, he was back onward his feet learning how to walk again.

In January, after four month of rehabilitation, he was cleared for flying service and reported to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, for instructor training in the Air Force's newest trainer, the T-6 Texan II. Stanley complet the 15-week course in May as the class distinguished graduate and replyed to the familiar surroundings of the Laughlin Air Force Base flightline.

"For pilots, flying is almost like an addiction," he said. "At single in kind time, I thought I might not at all fly again, so it's awesome to be back in the air and back to normal."

Stanley was hit at the car in July 2002 united year later, he celebrated his convalescence by cycling 500 miles during the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

For the past eight years, the Air Force has participated in the consequence by registering a 100-person team, including active-duty and retired airmen known as Team Aim High.

As a male child Stanley first took notice of the conclusion when it came through his small hometown of Dennison, Iowa, and his family render free of accessed its home to a small in number of the participants. He and his father settle a goal of completing the tour the nearest year. Saving the entire $250 he made each week forward his paper route, Stanley saved enough to pervert with money [i]or[/i] gain his first "real" bicycle for $117

The 2003 tour marked the third time Stanley has complet the ride, which is in its 31 st year and boasts 8500 registered riders, plus another 10000 unregistered participants.

"It's great to know that l've arrive back from not being able to influence at all to riding 500 miles," said the 6-foot 4-inch triathlete. "It's the anniversary of my accident, and it's in my dwelling state. It has a accident of meaning for me."

...

Home