Delano High School Student Saved By the Belt
June 07, 2008
April 2008
Here is my story. Tuesday evening at the Delano Tiger Baseball game in St. Boni I was on cloud nine. I went three for three, two doubles and two RBI's, pitched four innings, no earned runs and six strike outs! WOW! It felt great!
Then Wednesday I found out that I had achieved my goal of reaching Varsity status and would be practicing with varsity that very afternoon. Practice was amazing (ok ... now you know for sure that my mom is helping me write this) ... practice was practice. Coach Paulson had me pitching before all of the other Sophmore pitchers so my hopes were high that possibly I would be playing in Thursday nights game. After practice I was heading home to pick up my sisters for religion class. My energy was high and I was extremely anxious with all that had transpired over the past two days. I was taking my normal detour home down Nelson Road due to the construction that continues to bind most all of Delano's residents. I was approaching tickle hill at Kutz Crossing going a little too fast. The road had recently been re-graveled so I should have been going a little slower. I went over the hill and the front end of my car began to slide to the right I knew there was nothing I could do when I saw the tree in front of me. BAM! I hit the tree! I remember sliding but I don't remember the impact. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT! The impact into the tree was so great that it caused the backend of the car to come up and over wedging the car between the tree and a telehone pole. I was stuck! I don't believe that I ever lost conciusness because the next thing I remember was realizing I could not get out of the car. My legs were trapped between the floor board and the seat. I looked down and saw my legs locked really twisted and mangled but could not get out. I could not reach my phone! I tried not to panic but was scared. I began to scream in hopes that someone would hear me. The next thing I knew there was a man (an angel my mom says) that was right by my side helping me through the pain and my fears. He somehow pried the door open and was able to unbuckle me but I was still stuck. Him and his wife stayed with me the entire time until the rescue workers were able to pry me from the vehicle. It took the rescure workers about ten minutes to free me from the wreckage using the Jaws Of Life. I was then airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center. I had emergency surgery on my left leg that night at 9:30. I had compound fractures and it was broken in several places. They put pins in my leg to assist with the healing and someday I will have to have them removed. My right leg fared better then initially expected with only several sprains and a slight fracture on the outter ride side of my foot. I am grateful to everyone that was there that day to assist me during one of the most scary and painful times in my life. And Thanks to all the friends and family that waited at the hospital that evening to make sure that I was o.k., especially Coach Paulson and Coach Van Cura -- what a wonderful surprise to wake up and see you standing there. The doctors tell me that I should be able to make a full recovery and I fully intend to do just that!
Then Wednesday I found out that I had achieved my goal of reaching Varsity status and would be practicing with varsity that very afternoon. Practice was amazing (ok ... now you know for sure that my mom is helping me write this) ... practice was practice. Coach Paulson had me pitching before all of the other Sophmore pitchers so my hopes were high that possibly I would be playing in Thursday nights game. After practice I was heading home to pick up my sisters for religion class. My energy was high and I was extremely anxious with all that had transpired over the past two days. I was taking my normal detour home down Nelson Road due to the construction that continues to bind most all of Delano's residents. I was approaching tickle hill at Kutz Crossing going a little too fast. The road had recently been re-graveled so I should have been going a little slower. I went over the hill and the front end of my car began to slide to the right I knew there was nothing I could do when I saw the tree in front of me. BAM! I hit the tree! I remember sliding but I don't remember the impact. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT! The impact into the tree was so great that it caused the backend of the car to come up and over wedging the car between the tree and a telehone pole. I was stuck! I don't believe that I ever lost conciusness because the next thing I remember was realizing I could not get out of the car. My legs were trapped between the floor board and the seat. I looked down and saw my legs locked really twisted and mangled but could not get out. I could not reach my phone! I tried not to panic but was scared. I began to scream in hopes that someone would hear me. The next thing I knew there was a man (an angel my mom says) that was right by my side helping me through the pain and my fears. He somehow pried the door open and was able to unbuckle me but I was still stuck. Him and his wife stayed with me the entire time until the rescue workers were able to pry me from the vehicle. It took the rescure workers about ten minutes to free me from the wreckage using the Jaws Of Life. I was then airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center. I had emergency surgery on my left leg that night at 9:30. I had compound fractures and it was broken in several places. They put pins in my leg to assist with the healing and someday I will have to have them removed. My right leg fared better then initially expected with only several sprains and a slight fracture on the outter ride side of my foot. I am grateful to everyone that was there that day to assist me during one of the most scary and painful times in my life. And Thanks to all the friends and family that waited at the hospital that evening to make sure that I was o.k., especially Coach Paulson and Coach Van Cura -- what a wonderful surprise to wake up and see you standing there. The doctors tell me that I should be able to make a full recovery and I fully intend to do just that!
Nick Kelzer
1
Comment(s) -
Post a Comment
On April 24, 2009 Mom Kelzer said:
"Almost one year later and I am so grateful that Nicholas is with us. His passion for baseball has been revived and he is back on the field. Each time I see him play I say a prayer because I am so thankful that he is with us today. Nicholas worked so hard this past year to make sure that he would be on that pitching mound this year, he loves the game ... and we are just so happy that we can watch from the bleachers and cheer him on. You go Nick! You have the talent and you have the love for the game ... we love you and know that you will someday achieve what has always been in your heart ... BASEBALL! Love, Mom"