Sunday 28 October 2012

Words Fail Me (almost)

This is off topic for sure and I really don't know why I am writing this but I guess I just had to get this off my chest.

I have just spent from 3 a.m. Saturday morning until 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening at first one and then a second hospital whilst my son has his jaw rebuilt (it is badly broken in numerous places) as the result of a completely unprovoked attack in a nightclub on Friday evening. He was completely blameless and enjoying a night out (his first for over a month as he has been working his socks off  - he is a self employed electrician I should add) with some friends for somebodies stag night. It was a very 'sensible' night as many of the older generation were in attendance so none of the usual high jinks associated with such an occasion.

My son and I have disagreed on many things over the years but I love him all the same and any parent will understand that of which I am speaking.

He was jumped on by three 'gentlemen' (add I use this term very lightly) whilst talking to someone at the bar and it all happened very quickly - one punch and a couple of kicks to the head later and my son is in an ambulance on his way to hospital. SWMBO and I got the call at 2:50 a.m. and were with him until they wheeled him into theatre to install a Titanium plate and stick everything back together. Luckily the brain scan found nothing (apart from his brain of course!). Needless to say the Police are involved and all manner of CCTV footage is available so hopefully these 'gentlemen' will be apprehended and the full weight of the law is brought to bear on them. Yeah right....

It is difficult to be forgiving, or spiritual or anything else other than incandescent with blind fury at this and my son was lucky. Lucky it was not worse, a whole lot worse in fact, as in brain damage or anything else more severe. As you can imagine, he looked awful, like something from a bad horror film.

To the three 'gentlemen' concerned I hope that they never have to experience what we have been through over the last 36 hours. Actually I retract that, I really hope that they do.

And far, far worse into the bargain.

24 comments:

Paul O'G said...

A night out turned night-mare - the things parents' nightmares are made of. Very pleased to hear that despite the anxious moments and sadness there all appears to have a good prognosis. As you say, it could have been much worse.

Steve said...

Our thoughts are with you and your family DC. Stay strong.

Robert (Bob) Cordery said...

David,

I was shocked to read about what has happened ... and pleased to hear that the injuries were not worse.

My thoughts are with you and your family, and I hope that your son makes a full and rapid recovery.

If there is anything that I can do to help, please let me know.

All the best,

Bob

Mosstrooper said...

My best wishes to you and your family and I hope justice is done .

Bluebear Jeff said...

My best wishes to your son for a complete recovery.

Be thankful for no brain injury. My wife and I have been living with hers for 13 years. Hers was not the result of violence but of surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Despite what Hollywood portrays, almost all brain traumas result in permanent deficits. Fortunately my wife's are physical rather than to her intellect, but they are difficult enough.

So as unfortunate (and uncalled for) as your son's injuries are they could have been much worse. Be thankful of that, sir.

And don't feel "bad" about your feelings toward those who assaulted him. Hopefully they will get what they deserve.


-- Jeff

joppy said...

My sympathies are with you all, as you say it could have been worse, especially in a bar, where glasses can get involved!.

Steven Page said...

David, my thoughts and prayers sre with you and your son in this awful situation. i too am thankful that things were not worse than they were. Please keep your friends here informed of his recovery.
-Steve

PanzerKaput said...

Jeez I am really sorry to hear about this and I hope your son makes a speedy recovery

arthur1815 said...

David,
Like your other readers, I was shocked by your news, but very relieved to hear that your son was not more badly injured and is going to recover.
My sympathy to you all.
One can but hope the thugs concerned soon encounter someone even more vicious who will give them a taste of their own medicine...
Arthur

Peter Douglas said...

David

I was shocked to read your post. My thoughts are with you and your family. We have not it seems evolve much as a species after all.

Peter

BigLee said...

Sorry to hear about this, no parent should have to see their kids hurt like this. I hope everything turns out OK for your son and that the scumbags that did this get all they deserve.

Battlescale said...

My sincerest best wishes to you and your son. I know only too well how you feel David. In 1986 during the Easter Bank Holiday my 18 year old cousin Paul was enjoying a weekend break with his best friend in North Wales. It was his first time away from home and after much persuasion he had got permission to use the static caravan owned by his Mum and Dad.
On their first night there Paul and his friend were strolling back from a local pub when a bunch of young lads started to shout abuse at them ... Not being the type for confrontation Paul kept his head down and continued to walk home. Out of the blue, one of the lads suddenly ran across the road to confront the two of them and without a second throught he landed a single punch to Paul's face which knocked him off his feet. His attacker then ran off...laughing... and that's the bit that boils my blood most. Paul's friend got Paul to his feet and helped him back to the caravan. The next morning Paul didn't wake up.. He had slipped into a coma during the night and 24 hours later he died.
He was the nicest lad you could ever have met. He didn't deserve to die at such a young age.
It still really upsets me to this day to think that some piece of scum (for that's what they are in my eyes) can take someone's life like this... and laugh about it.
His attacker was caught and was found guilty of manslaughter. He got 7 years imprisonment and served just 4.
People like these have no place in civil society.

Tim Gow said...

Sorry to hear your news. I think you were quite right to share it with us. You know where I am.

Ray Rousell said...

It really makes you wonder what the worlds coming too nowadays??? I hope your son has a speedy recovery and they find the dirtbags who hurt him.

Itinerant said...

Praying for healing and justice. Thank you for sharing.

The Angry Lurker said...

Amen sir, really glad that he's going to be alright, saw a lot of this when I was a bouncer!

Anonymous said...

Hopefully your lad will pull through okay, that is a horrible thing to have happened. Hopefully he'll get a bit of justice too.

jmilesr said...

Very sorry to hear of your son's injuries. Your son is lucky to have parents who will be there for him as he fully recovers.

Tomo said...

Your son and your family are in my Prayers.

Conrad Kinch said...

Very sorry to hear of your family's recent trial. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

tradgardmastare said...

My thoughts are with you and yours.I wish your son a full recovery.

Sidney Roundwood said...

David, all my thoughts are with your son, you and all your family. I'm really sorry to hear about such appalling news.

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Oh Dave,

I am so sorry to hear about this
Christ it sounds absolutely awful
An absolute parent's nightmare

I hope the recovery goes well
And the criminals feel the long arm of the law

Best Wishes

Prufrock said...

Very sorry to hear this, David. Best wishes to you all and may the blokes who did it get what they deserve.