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RICHARD AND EDWARD HABERSHON
MAY 2003
CO- HABERSHONS OF THE MONTH

First of all, Richard (my baby brother).  While skiing in Mirabel last month, he broke his leg.  I only heard about this through the family grapevine and had to wheedle the story out of him.  In short, he was standing on a steep icy slope waiting for some skiers below to move away when he slipped and crashed on the ice, breaking his leg.  He was carrying a heavy rucksack (that's backpack to our three American readers) which didn't help.  The pain was excruciating and got worse as he was lifted onto a stretcher.  He spent five days in the hospital at Moutiers and has three long titanium pins holding the femur together.  And, horror of horrors, he has to inject himself in the stomach area with blood thinner to prevent DVT.  Ricky's comment on the ordeal?  "Thank goodness for holiday insurance."  He also laments the fact that he wasn't at least flying down the mountain when it happened.  Interesting note:  The hospital at Moutiers has an average of 20 admissions per day with broken bones, one of which is usually a femur.

When interviewed at college, his son, William took time out from his busy exam schedule to describe the incident and confirm Richard's bravery, thus justifying his HOTM award:

" . . . has been extremely brave from the moment his leg was broken just below the second highest point in the three valleys.  The conditions were awful with just sheet ice to ski on and he landed very heavily, due to the fully loaded rucksack on his back, from a standing position.  Very bad luck.  The pain on his face was unbearable and brought back memories of when I broke my leg in three places at the age of ten, a spiral fracture!  Now he's at home and has adopted my Range Rover for three months as it's an automatic (left leg broken) and has electric seats which help him get in with ease!  He's managed to start driving to meetings and get on with things although he's obviously slightly less mobile on his crutches!  So very brave and very determined not to let it beat him!  Unfortunately no tennis for a year and no skiing for quite a while though no doubt he'll hit the slopes by the end of next year!"

Our other Habershon of the Month for May is Edward (my nephew).  The nomination came in from Rob Leaver.  Here's what he had to say:

"Hi, my name is Rob Leaver and I live with Ed Habershon in Birmingham - we are both at university here.  I have always considered Ed a special Friend, but recent events furthered this relationship. We were both in a snowboarding competition a few weeks [ago] in Sheffield.  I was unfortunate enough to break my arm while "on the slopes" and had to go to hospital.  While there I had to have it manipulated as the bones had slipped - it was a very painful procedure as the anaesthetic didn't work too well.  Fortunately Ed was with me to hold my hand through the pain while the nurses pulled on my arm - even if he did laugh occasionally... It is for this reason that I would like to nominate Ed for 'Habershon of the month'. Even though for me, he is Habershon of the year.

Yours sincerely (and still in a cast), Rob Leaver"

Well done, Ed!  Now why do I have the uneasy feeling that Rob's about to get his arm broken again?

Richard and Ed, I'm sure that all Habershons and other loyal readers will join me in commending the two of you for your bravery and compassion.  Here's a website for you, Ricky.  Special thanks to David for supplying the pictures.