A very sobering experience on today's ride...Updated

[hmt81]

Joe, prayers from NJ............. It is so sad that some feel so down & alone that they resort to such things. Blessings to you & your crew for noticing & acting. Hoping & praying for Amanda's recovery. Please keep us informed.

[Dubsvalk]

My good riding buddies were truely magnificent yesterday!  I had to work so wasn't able to join them on this particular ride.  I am so proud of each and every one of them for their efforts and the caring they showed for a stranger needing help.  I call them "The Wild Bunch"; but today they are "The Noble Bunch"!  I will always remember how special each one of you are everytime I ride with you!  Yesterday was a special day for my friends, Amanda, her family, and everyone on this forum.  We witnessed the depths of despair and the tremendous efforts of caring people.  Giving a stranger the possibility of another chance at life.  Whether Amanda lives or is taken to a better place, God's will has been served and the efforts of some wonderful people on this forum has been recognized.  This Christmas season has been made very special with their act of selfless generosity and caring for another human being!
Dubs

[JerryB]

Good one Joe and company.......Most people don't take the time to be concerned about someone else....JB

[Misfit]

Prayers for Amanda. Great job guys! 

[Bama Red]

Prayers up from here in south central TN, Joe. My youngest daughter and her family have added Amanda to their church's prayer list as of last night, so our prayers will be multiplied.

I'm so proud of all y'all - Bravo Zulu, men!

[Psychotic Bovine]

This really is an amazing story.  I have reposted it to my Facebook page so others can read about it, if you don't mind.

[Skinhead]

Great job Joe & Company.  As others have said, you were truly doing doing The Lord's work.  I'm sure from now on, there will be a little extra good grace, karma, what have you, watching and protecting you and I hope all riders.  I've heard said, that if you save a life, you are responsible for that life.  I'd like to ask and suggest that you keep us informed on Amanda's condition, and when what ever caused her to take such drastic action, is known, that if we as a club can help, you let us know.  For now I will keep her and you in my prayers.

You guys saved a lot of people from having a very lousy Christmas.

[Pete]

Thanks to you guys, for helping someone in need. (you all did the right thing)
Our best wishes to everyone, hope everything turns out well.

[Slick]

  About all that I can add to this is that-


YOU GUYS ROCK


Prayers out to all-

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

None of us did anything yesterday to get a attaboy ....I do want to thank everyone for the comments especially those that have said a prayer for this young woman. Big Al and I are going to the hospital this evening to check on her and take her some flowers we've all chipped in on. She was moved from ICU to CCU this morning I'm not sure if that's good or bad .I did do a google and one sounds just as bad as the other to me ....She's still alive so I'm hoping her fighting side has took over however she was still unresponsive as of this morning.They told me no flowers was allowed in her room but they would keep them at the nursing station and she could see them when she pulls out of this.I'm not going into anything her suicide letter had in it other than say she said " I feel so alone " ....I hope she gets to see the flowers and know she has gave this Christmas a very special meaning to everyone that was on that ride yesterday.....I'll let you folk's know what we find out later this evening or tonight....Say a Christmas prayer for Amanda ....Thank's

[chip]

     Damn bikers go through life not giving a crap about anyone but them selves no matter how it affects anybody else !  Glad you were there guys ! 

[alph]

just to let you, and everyone else know, even though you don't have "cell signal" your phone can still connect with 911.  (what i've been told) 

don't know if you tried it or not....  if you did, and wern't able to connect, that would be good to know.....

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

just to let you, and everyone else know, even though you don't have "cell signal" your phone can still connect with 911.  (what i've been told) 

don't know if you tried it or not....  if you did, and wern't able to connect, that would be good to know.....

All ( 5 )  of us had cell phones with I'm pretty sure ( 3 ) different providers none of them worked ...We did try....Phones in that area are worthless that's one of the big problems when someone crashes on The Dragon it takes forever for help to get there.

[alph]

just to let you, and everyone else know, even though you don't have "cell signal" your phone can still connect with 911.  (what i've been told) 

don't know if you tried it or not....  if you did, and wern't able to connect, that would be good to know.....

All ( 5 )  of us had cell phones with I'm pretty sure ( 3 ) different providers none of them worked ...We did try....Phones in that area are worthless that's one of the big problems when someone crashes on The Dragon it takes forever for help to get there.

wow, didn't know that.  i was always under the understanding that 911 would still work in that situation. 

joe, don't dwell on the "what if's".  you did eveything right.  the way i look at it is like this;  all those times you ran the dragon, you were unknowingly practicing for this day.  you knowing those turns made you the best person for getting help.  that's the way i see it.

al.

[ptgb]

wow, didn't know that.  i was always under the understanding that 911 would still work in that situation...

Not to hijack this very important thread... but to clarify the dialing of 911. What you are referring to is, unactivated phones... in other words, that 5 year old phone sitting in your kitchen drawer with no service plan connected to it is still capable of dialing/connecting to 911. It will pick up whatever service (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.) there is at it's physical location.

There does have to be service in the location though.

[stude31]

Joe,

Whatever the outcome of Amanda you responded as God calls us to "serve".  One of the versus that comes to mind that I say almost every day.  "Lord here am I, send me."  You were doing the work God called you to be at.  It's good that you listened to the Holy Spirit.   It is now in God's hands and His will, will be done.  I too gasp as I scroll down looking for Joe's next post hoping for the best.   

So many people living today are depressed and feel alone.  I know there have been times that I felt that way and it was folks around me that are like these fellas that helped me see past my problems.  I too, hope she mends and gets better and understands that this life is a gift.   Thank you for the post and being ready to serve.  May the grace of God be upon Amanda and her family for now and the days coming.   God's speed...

Joe.

Hey Joe keep us posted and if by chance there is a way we can all send cards to her like we have done for our brother's and sister's of the VRCC.  Maybe we can get some e-cards to her and her family.  Just a thought.   

[Charlie McCready]

Wow, talk about gnats !!!  Joe, Al, Greg,  everyone there, glad you were there. Hope she pulls out of this and gets help. By all means keep us posted as you learn updates. 

[MP]

+1 on the cards if she pulls through.  Maybe, a bunch of cards from total strangers, may help her in some small way, to realize that she is NEVER alone, no matter how much it may seem like it.

MP

[joefromperry]

Wow, this brought a tear to my eyes. I am SO VERY PROUD to be in some small way connected with this great group of people. Prayers from Perry, OH for Amanda and her family.

[Challenger]

Stude: you beat me to the E-card thing, I think it could really help her state of mind like you said, If Joe or someone could let us know where to direct them

[Dogg]

I would bet that real cards that were present when she woke up and was able to talk, read, see, stuff like that, would have more of an impact than an ecard. Just my 2 cents...

You guys did exactly what you were supposed to do. no pat on the back, just a thank yo ufrom a family you dont know, a handshake and a hug from parents you never met and the memory of wht had happened to carry with you forever. It was the right choice.... 

Prayers for Amanda from the shore of Md.

[F-106]

NICE WORK JOE, YOU GUYS DID GOOD!!!!!!

I've started this thread several times only to delete it and start over trying to find the best way to share this experience we had today. Most of you know when we take a ride I'll take the best picture ( in my minds eye ) and call it " The Money Shot " . Well today the money shot saved a life I hope. We rode up to Deal's Gap today and made a couple passes across The Dragon and on the way home I took us out The Foothills Parkway . I pulled into a overlook to get a shot of my bike with the snow covered mountains in the background. I rode right by this car with a young woman in it that looked to be asleep. My bike is pretty loud with the Cobra's and Big Al was on his Kawasaki Mean Streak that is loud as well. After taking the picture I got a uneasy feeling about this young lady the car was'nt running and the temp's on the mountain was in the low 30's. Soon the entire group shared my uneasy feeling. Big Al and Greg went to the car and Al knocked on the window Greg walked around the car and said she's got a suicide note in the seat.No one had cell service so I jumped on my bike and took off like a bat out of hell until I got service. 4 Park Rangers 1 Blount County Deputy and 2 EMT's claimed if we had not stopped she would have died. I'm very proud of my ridin' buddies each one of them worked the entire time trying to help this young wowan while we waited on help to arrive the first showed up about 30 minutes after I made the call.....Her name is Amanda and she took several different medications trying to end her life. We called about a hour after they took her to the ER and was told she is stable....Please say a prayer for her that she will find help.

Picture removed by me... I should'nt have posted a picture that showed her face....I apologize.

[GreenLantern57]

Thanks for listening to that little voice! I believe this young lady can be turned in the right direction if she survives this.

Prayers from Amarillo.

[Disco]

Right place, right time. Right people

+1, and +1 on the gnats, too.  Great job, guys.

[PharmBoy]

You guys in this club never cease to amaze me with your big hearts, kind words, and humanitarian actions toward anyone and everyone who might need some kind of help. You are just the greatest!  Now I think that I'll go clean my glasses...JTL

[Crazyhorse]

All you guys did well. Your action reminds me of an old Christian Hymn that says:

Little is much when God is in it
Labor not for wealth or fame
There's a crown and you can win it
If you go in Jesus' name

Keep up the good work. We are praying for Amanda and her family. Keep us up to date on her recovery.

[Rams]

Thanks to a great group of dragon riders.  Prayers for Amanda and her family. 

Any updates?

blackrams

[flamingobabe #44]

Thanks guys for your caring and quick response.....my family is having prayers for Amanda.. God Bless

[X Ring]

None of us did anything yesterday to get a attaboy ....I do want to thank everyone for the comments especially those that have said a prayer for this young woman. Big Al and I are going to the hospital this evening to check on her and take her some flowers we've all chipped in on. She was moved from ICU to CCU this morning I'm not sure if that's good or bad .I did do a google and one sounds just as bad as the other to me ....She's still alive so I'm hoping her fighting side has took over however she was still unresponsive as of this morning.They told me no flowers was allowed in her room but they would keep them at the nursing station and she could see them when she pulls out of this.I'm not going into anything her suicide letter had in it other than say she said " I feel so alone " ....I hope she gets to see the flowers and know she has gave this Christmas a very special meaning to everyone that was on that ride yesterday.....I'll let you folk's know what we find out later this evening or tonight....Say a Christmas prayer for Amanda ....Thank's

You're wrong Joe.  Most people wouldn't want to get involved or paid attention to the car.  You did.  You listened to your gut.  That started the process to save her life.  You DESERVE an attaboy for that.

Marty

[Dubsvalk]

Amen, Marty!
Dubs

[RoadKill]

Not a hero in the whole bunch ! Those riders did NOTHING out of the ordinary..... (in their humble minds) !   Not a 1 of them thought "This is worth a service medal" !  They did nothing more than being their baddass,Git-er-Dun,AWESOME selves! Those of who know this bunch are not surprised in the slightest! Only THANKFULL to know persons of such high caliber !   

[Jack]

So many of us enjoy the holidays and forget that some don't have it so good.  Suicides and murder/suicides seem to increase right around Christmas.  Good observation and the fact you cared and got involved saved this woman and gave her a second chance to get her life right.  Thanks to you and good luck to her.

[Cliff]

Two prayers for Amanda...

1.  That she pulls through this episode with good health.

2.  That with this second chance that she is able to overcome the causes of the severe emotional distress that led her down the path of self destruction.  I truly hope she can do this!

To all of you thanks for being alert and giving her this second chance.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

First, for Amanda, let me say, thank you to you, Al, and Greg... you saved a life today! That is not anything to be taken lightly. It is a shame that many people take their own lives so lightly sometimes. As an almost 20 year police officer, I unfortunately have seen my share of the ones who attempt, and the ones who complete the act. There was even one who committed the act because of me (I think about it EVERY day).

The one thing they never realize is how their actions affect the ones who love them. Years later, I have contact with those families and you can still see the pain on their faces, in their actions, might I say, even in their souls.

You guys didn't just save a life today, you saved the lives of Amanda's family and friends who don't have to live with the burden of what they would of, or might of done to help her with whatever pain pushed her to this. Hopefully, Amanda will find the support that she needs to truly understand the reasons for her despair, and will receive the tools she needs to deal with those reasons, and move on to a happy, fulfilling life. That support started with you guys today!

Pete if you see this I have no idea why this was on my mind this morning.... Strange indeed 

[jimmytee]

Thanks for sharing. I will admit it dug up some old hurt from my Ex's mother who committed suicide in '99. It was the impetus for a series of issues that culminated in our no longer being married. It's still bites hard on old feelings. So yes, you not only saved this girl, but like others have said, her family and friends.

[Oss]

Just re read this whole thread and sorry to say I cant
 remember if Amanda ever made it out of the hospital   

Sometimes you can do everything right and altho the person you try to save
doesnt make it, the lesson spread to a world that can pass it on to save others


Sure hope the young girl made it out of CCU (Cardiac Care Unit)

I keep seeing that line from an O L D  post in my head

y'all "just ride around helping people"   

Proud to be able to call you folks friends

This country needs more like you, Al and Greg

[alph]

wow, that's weird....

I just picked up an old envelope from Smokin Joe (I had asked him to get something for me a while ago and he mailed it to me, I have a habit of keeping old addresses incase I ever have to mail something to that person), plus, I've been thinking about this Amanda girl these last few days.

I wonder if all is good with her?  my mama use to say; that when you're thinking of someone, they're thinking of you......  (my mama also lost her mind so who knows what she was thinking when she said that.)

if anyone has the ability to check up on Amanda (as creepy as that may sound) please post an update.

thanks.

[Skinhead]

I think we all ought to chip in and buy the wild bunch capes to wear when they ride.  Then they can be like superheroes, riding around helping people.

Really, that is an awesome story and I'm proud of you guys.  I agree that an update would be cool if available.

[SANDMAN5]

NO CAPES!! Haven't you watched "The Incredibles"?
Seriously, an update would be great!!

[Robert]

Joe you were there for a purpose and you listened and did good.