Dear friends in the art show world,My wife and I were on our way to exhibit at the Bellevue Arts Museum show and while driving there got into a very serious car accident in Montana last Tuesday. My wife is in critical condition. I'm fine. Our van is totaled. You can read my account of the story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pattihI wanted to let you all know in case any of you are wondering where we are at upcoming shows, since we will have to take time off from what has been a full show scheduleOne piece of information that is applicable to fellow traveling artists is this... We had eaten lunch about an hour prior to the crash, and several minutes before the crash my wife Patti mentioned being sleepy. She was driving and we had planned to switch soon. I was working on my computer. She apparently fell asleep at the wheel. The rest you can read about on the above website, but I wanted to note that the highway patrolman who handled the case told me that counterintuitively, he finds more sleep crashes to occur in the afternoon than late at night, even after accounting for reduced traffic at night. He was a career military medic and noted how the body's energy goes to digestion after meals, making one drowsy. Surely we've all noticed this. So fellow artists, let our experience heighten your awareness about this risk. Patti is still in critical condition, but is making steady progress and all indications are that she will have a full recovery, though over a long period.All the best,Marty and Patti HulsebosFairfield, Iowamartyhulsebos.commarty2858@gmail.com
Marty, I hope Patti shows some improvement everyday. Hang in there. Thank you for reminding everyone to take sleepiness seriously. I have seen special news reports on TV that have said that super sleepy drivers are more dangerous than drunk drivers. After driving in a tired state several times myself and realizing how I was putting myself in a dangerous situation, I told myself I wasn't going to do that anymore. I have still found occasions when I couldn't find a good place to pull over but I try not to let myself get put in that spot. Sleepiness can come on so fast though sometimes. Give our best to Patti. Please keep us up to date. We all want to know how her recovery is coming along.
I am so very sorry this happened to your wife. Thank you very much for sharing this very important information with us; that is very kind of you and admirable to even think of others during this difficult time you are going through. Wishing her a very speedy recovery.
I want to join all the other artists in wishing for a speedy recovery for Patti and thanks that you're okay. We'll be praying for you and Patti and wishing you all the best.
I am so sorry to hear about your misfortune and will keep you and your wife in my prayers. I am glad to hear that she is improving. Art work, vehicles, etc. are just "stuff" that can be replaced or remade; however, one cannot replace a loved one. May you and your wife have no further mishaps, may her recovery be swift and uneventful and may you and she enjoy the best that life has to offer.
Sending you and Patti our heartfelt prayers and intentions. This has clearly been a very traumatic experience both physically and emotionally and a cautionary tale for us all. Take good care.
I'm sure she is in a great deal of pain. I pray that she is able to fully recover and get back to her loves (you and art I'm assuming). Surely, it takes courage to share our mistakes and I thank you. I've thought about this a great deal the past few days. You all are in my prayers as well.
Comments
Marty, I hope Patti shows some improvement everyday. Hang in there. Thank you for reminding everyone to take sleepiness seriously. I have seen special news reports on TV that have said that super sleepy drivers are more dangerous than drunk drivers. After driving in a tired state several times myself and realizing how I was putting myself in a dangerous situation, I told myself I wasn't going to do that anymore. I have still found occasions when I couldn't find a good place to pull over but I try not to let myself get put in that spot. Sleepiness can come on so fast though sometimes. Give our best to Patti. Please keep us up to date. We all want to know how her recovery is coming along.
Jacki B
Dear Marty:
I am so very sorry this happened to your wife. Thank you very much for sharing this very important information with us; that is very kind of you and admirable to even think of others during this difficult time you are going through. Wishing her a very speedy recovery.
I want to join all the other artists in wishing for a speedy recovery for Patti and thanks that you're okay. We'll be praying for you and Patti and wishing you all the best.
I am so sorry to hear about your misfortune and will keep you and your wife in my prayers. I am glad to hear that she is improving. Art work, vehicles, etc. are just "stuff" that can be replaced or remade; however, one cannot replace a loved one. May you and your wife have no further mishaps, may her recovery be swift and uneventful and may you and she enjoy the best that life has to offer.
Sending you and Patti our heartfelt prayers and intentions. This has clearly been a very traumatic experience both physically and emotionally and a cautionary tale for us all. Take good care.
-Victoria and Bruce
Thoughts and prayers with you and yours.
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