Good grief … but reminds me of the time I was checking out our new Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the guy next to me in the camping section was fiddling around with the little Brunton wristwatch band compasses. He said they all seemed to be pointing in different directions, until I observed that maybe his big chunky metal watchband was the culprit. “Oh, does that make a difference?”

Craig,
I have a Leatherman P4 Squirt, a mini Fox 40 whistle with the extra nubs removed, a Princeton Tec Pulsar II, a Stanley 3' locking tape measure, and about 12 feet of paracord braided in a square sinnet-type fob which is about 8 inches long. Sorry, I don't have any pictures. I try to keep my car and house keys in the other pocket so that I don't list to port. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Post deleted by Chris Kavanaugh

I am all too familiar with listing. If I should ever fall into a lake or something, I'm gonna sink like a rock.

While I am sure no disrespect was intended, never-the-less; I am not sure I appreciate the humor of the link in this post, while I know it is important to be able to laugh at ourselves and trust me I laugh at myself and actions all the time. Laughing at the expense of someone’s disability is not humorous in my opinion. I work with Special Olympians during swimming season and find these athletes to be some of the most compassionate, friendly and “abled“ individuals I know. Just my 2 cents. Pete

I keep trying to convince my wife that my "spare tire" provides buoyancy in case I ever fall into the ocean. She's not buying.

ParamedicPete, I deeply apologize.

Was talking with one of my vets at work about SF and Group the other day and that story came up.

No disrepect was intended, but if someone takes offense, then it might as well have been done with ill intent.

Once again, I deeply apologize.

Unfortunately, I am not able to edit/delete the post as the time to edit has expired according to the board.

I have sent an email to the administrator and hopefully they will edit/delete the post.

No need to apologize, the linked web site was not yours. Believe me, I am not normally politically correct, nor particularly sensitive, but I do have a deep respect and admiration for Special Olympic Athletes. They have taught me a lot about what is important in life, how to survive every day and have given me the gift of their friendship. There is no need to edit your post, people should be free to read and set their own level of comfort. Pete

So to put a band aid on it I will tell another story:

My corp was volunteering an ambulance and the crew last May at the Special Olympics event. It was basicly running, sand box jump and throw events. Everything was going great, maybe few bandaid here and there. Oh and btw these guys can compete. I wish I was as hardcore when it comes to competition as they are. So at the end of the day one of the athletes falls down. Nothing really serious but he was wearing leg braces and one of those heavy shoes. After eliminating posible spine injury, we seat his in the stair chair and tend to the scratches. The kid is the nicest person out there. He asks questions, tries to learn names of the instruments , etc, etc. You would never tell that he is any different from other kids. Everyone is happy, smiling and ready for more action. Than my partner, takes some cold sterile water and pours it on his hand to clean up the abrassion. Kid was so involved and focused on others that he jerked his body and straighten out his legs in a fast kick/jerk movement. Everything would be fine except that I was crouched right in front of him and his heavy boot cought my manhood. Let's say that I couldn't walk upright for few hours and I spend a drive back to the base in the back cab with an ice pack.

Matt

With the exception of your foot encounter, I am glad to hear of your experiences with Special Olympic Athletes. Your prospective of what is important in life can really change through these enlightening encounters. I have three daughters, the youngest 10, can sometimes drive us to the edge with non-stop talking, then you stop, reflect and thank God that you have a child who can even talk. I know that many of the parents of these wonderful athletes would give anything, just to hear their child say one word. Pete