SEATTLE — A Bonney Lake man left paralyzed from the chest down after a car accident has a message for his fellow 12s. He says the game isn’t over yet.
John Bachner says the game has just begun. He says it’s his family, the ones would bleed blue and green, that are keeping his dream alive.
Every day is training camp for John.
On Sept. 5, John was nearly killed when the truck he was riding in blew a tire, struck a tree and rolled about seven miles off I-90 near Ellensburg.
“I broke my neck in a couple of places, I broke my back.”
John was ejected from the vehicle. The impact also broke his shoulder blades, fractured every rib in his body and even broke the bones in his face.
But he says what broke his heart was losing his beloved Seahawks Super Bowl sweatshirt.
“They had to cut it off me to check me out.”
Now paralyzed from the chest down, John started physical therapy this week.
“They have to prepare me for the worst, getting wheelchairs ordered, asking me how I’m going to get in and out of my house.”
But this Seahawks fan says the game is not over just yet. The accident may have broken his body, but a visit from Doug Baldwin, a call from Momma Sherman and the love from his fellow 12s has strengthened John’s soul.
“It’s amazing. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are a 12, people will come and pick you up,” John said.
And just like his beloved Hawks, John has a game plan.
“I want to be able to walk into those stands and cheer them on like I used to.”
He knows the odds are against him, but when did that ever stop a Hawk — or a 12?
“I have prove to them that I’m not a quitter and I’m a true 12 because 12s don’t give up.”
John’s question isn’t why; it’s why not.
“They didn’t let up one bit on Sunday. My game day is coming.”
A fundraiser will be held at The Sports Page in Auburn Sunday at 6 p.m.
http://q13fox.com/2014/09/24/bonney-lak ... hawks-12s/
John Bachner says the game has just begun. He says it’s his family, the ones would bleed blue and green, that are keeping his dream alive.
Every day is training camp for John.
On Sept. 5, John was nearly killed when the truck he was riding in blew a tire, struck a tree and rolled about seven miles off I-90 near Ellensburg.
“I broke my neck in a couple of places, I broke my back.”
John was ejected from the vehicle. The impact also broke his shoulder blades, fractured every rib in his body and even broke the bones in his face.
But he says what broke his heart was losing his beloved Seahawks Super Bowl sweatshirt.
“They had to cut it off me to check me out.”
Now paralyzed from the chest down, John started physical therapy this week.
“They have to prepare me for the worst, getting wheelchairs ordered, asking me how I’m going to get in and out of my house.”
But this Seahawks fan says the game is not over just yet. The accident may have broken his body, but a visit from Doug Baldwin, a call from Momma Sherman and the love from his fellow 12s has strengthened John’s soul.
“It’s amazing. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are a 12, people will come and pick you up,” John said.
And just like his beloved Hawks, John has a game plan.
“I want to be able to walk into those stands and cheer them on like I used to.”
He knows the odds are against him, but when did that ever stop a Hawk — or a 12?
“I have prove to them that I’m not a quitter and I’m a true 12 because 12s don’t give up.”
John’s question isn’t why; it’s why not.
“They didn’t let up one bit on Sunday. My game day is coming.”
A fundraiser will be held at The Sports Page in Auburn Sunday at 6 p.m.
http://q13fox.com/2014/09/24/bonney-lak ... hawks-12s/
