John Gregory (center with white shirt and black back strap) with his Troop 7 at Camp Orr in 2006. This past Sunday, my step grandson, John Gregory, was bitten by a Copperhead Snake at Rocky Springs Trail off the Natchez Trace National Parkway. He was there helping out the Knights of Columbus who were there feeding the bike-a-thon racers on behalf of Multiple Sclerosis. Rocky Springs was one of the stops to feed the bikers as they rode over a 100 mile trip on the Natchez Trace. He was in the rear watching the younger ones on a walking trail so they would not veer off into the woods...when he stepped on it. Of all times to be wearing flip flops! He had a cell phone and called for help and while waiting...put a tourniquet on his leg. He was carried out piggy back and taken to the hospital for anti-venom and rounds of antibiotics. John Gregory is also an avid deer hunter and a Boy Scout. Next year he will be an Eagle Scout. His training paid off big time. Bob and I went up to the hospital yesterday afternoon to visit him and in his bed was a huge stuffed, you guessed it, SNAKE! Also, he was given two more rubber snakes as a happy. His leg is still swollen and elevated. Hopefully, he may get to go home today. John's in the the 9th grade at St. Aloysius High School. His Mother teaches Calculus at the same school and his younger sister, Laura, attends the elementary school there. Laura was with John when he got bitten. Get well soon, John Gregory!
PS: John Gregory said...this was the last time he would ever wear flip flops in the woods in our great wild outdoors!
8 comments:
Tell John Gregory I said "Get Well Soon". That has to be a terrible experience.
When I was really young 1-6 yrs old my folks went to a church in NJ called St. Aloysius. I went to kindergarten and 1st grade there.
I will be sure and tell him "his-self"...so nice of you! Take care my friend.
Wow, I'm glad he will be o.k. That's kind of scary.
And, I guess there's a lesson here. Don't wear flip flops when there are poisonous snakes around.
A hard way to learn a lesson but that is part of going through life! Thanks for coming by kristine.
Tell John Gregory "hope he gets well soon" I know from personal experience it is a very painful and uncomfortable experience. It will definitely make him more aware of his surroundings. Them darned ole copperheads don't play fair, and even the most experienced outdoor people can get bit very easily. Here in Missouri, there has never been a recorded death contributed to copperhead bites, but they do make you very sick and swell up like a beach ball,even after treatment!
Thanks kenny for your support...will tell John Gregory. I'm sure he will be more aware. I have seen them in the woods while on our 4-wheelers riding and they can be pretty scary creatures. Once while in our National Miltary Park walking one day one was coiled up in the middle of the road. I ran as far around him as I could...It really upset me for sure.
Glad to hear John Gregory is going to be OK.
JDP
Thanks jdp...it was not a good experience for him. A pretty scary moment but he is on the road to recovery now.
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