|
|
|
|
You Can’t Keep a Good Machinist Down… But Sometimes You Should By Thomas A. Pinski When a 1,700 pound F/A-18 SuperHornet Wing Stand fell on Machinist Keith Schafer March 3rd, his first reaction was to jump up and attack the behemoth with a hammer. Fortunately, two Union brothers kept him from getting up! The fast thinking and insistent orders from Brothers Ed Terneus and Dan Richardson probably saved Keith’s life and most certainly saved him from a life of immobility. “I can’t describe the pain I felt at the time. I guess I was in a state of shock,” Keith recalled later. “If they had not kept me down and calm, my surgeon said at best I would have been paralyzed for life.” The incident occurred at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. Keith, Ed, and Dan, all members of Local Lodge 837B in St. Louis, Mo, arrived at the military base to complete the delivery of a Boeing Maintenance Trainer built at the Boeing St. Louis military production facility. The men were assisting in the unloading of the wing stand when the unit fell from the Tommy-Lift. Dan and Ed were thrown clear of the falling unit, however; Keith had his back close to a wall and nowhere to go. The unit struck Keith in the shoulder, doubled him over at the waist, and shoved him backwards. Ed and Dan prepared for the worst as they saw events unfold and were somewhat relieved to see Keith breathing and attempting to move as they came closer. Keith wanted help getting to his feet. His brothers told him that would be a mistake. He should stay on the ground until the Emergency response crew arrived. Keith insisted they help him up. At this point, Dan and Ed told Keith that if he tried to get up, they would be forced to “sit on his chest” to keep him down. Keith, still in shock, was calmed somewhat by their words but still wanted up. His Union brothers continued to talk to him and kept him as still as possible. Hours later, Keith found himself in a full body cast. Doctors explained he had broken his spine both vertically and horizontally at the L4 position. Even worse, a splinter from the bone had broken away and was compressing several major nerves by more than 50% their normal size. These nerves allow for lower body motion. They were very concerned that any movement would cause the sliver of bone to slice through the nerves. If this happened, they would not be able to repair the damage. Keith was transported back to St. Louis to meet with specialists in preparation for surgery. Again, the surgeons expressed their amazement that Keith was not paralyzed. The surgery went perfectly and the healing process began. After several weeks of little activity, Keith began physical therapy to strengthen the repaired bones. Today, Keith is back to work. More importantly, Keith has recovered most mobility and, though a little slower, can play with his two children, Zach and Jeremy! “The kids knew I was hurt bad, but did not know how much more serious it could have been,” Keith related to his friends when he returned to work. “My wife, Shari, is doing a lot more and I appreciate her being there for me. I also appreciate the cards and phone calls I received from my Union Brothers and sisters. Lying in bed for the first few days, I must have read the get well cards hundreds of times and it was good for my heart and my soul to see how much people really cared!”
Local Lodge 837B took action to recognize the quick thinking of Brothers Terneus and Richardson in August. The membership passed a motion to give Local Lodge jackets to the two to express the feelings of the Lodge for their assistance in keeping a good man down! Lodge 837B President John DeWitt Darity arranged a special presentation in the Boeing plant to present the jackets and thank the Brothers for their actions. Close to fifty of their co-workers joined in the appreciation ceremony. The final presentation to Ed and Dan came when Keith reached in a sack he was hiding, pulled out several rolls of Lifesavers and handed them to the two men. Keith quietly whispered, “You guys are my lifesavers. I do not know what would have happened if you had not been there for me, but I do know I can walk again thanks to your concern. Thank you!”
|
|
Send mail to
comm837@swbell.net with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
