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important Message From Joe &
I have been dragging my feet ( almost literally ) trying to wait to the last moment possible to make the call for this year. Yes it is official, sadly there is no race for this year. Yes I know we said we'd only postpone till this year, but we were hoping that things would have improved greatly between then and now. But they have not. Actually Far from it. A few of you know what all happened to cause the cancellation of last year. Total, ( well almost ) total lack of sign-up's. Which at this point I am glad that everyone was waiting to the deadline to sign up. But that was NOT the main reason. Linda in February was injured badly, but we just did not even know how badly, till later as the months passed by. As all of you past veterans of this race know, she is a VITAL part of the race. And without her at 100% this race just could not happen. But we pressed on hoping she would get better. But as time passed by she continued to get worse. To the point I knew she could not take the stress of the Race, so we canceled. And I figured I'd have time to work up the race around her and go for it this year. Hence the Postponement, and offer to the teams a "Rain Check" so to speak. Ok, now for the problem at hand, why the cancellation for this year. First, we went from a two income family to a one with Linda's injury. Her status, according to over 30 Doctors, they kept sending her to specialist to specialist, trying to help her. But finally according to them, AND the state of Wisconsin, she will never be able to work again. So that left me as the single breadwinner so to speak. Then guess what? With this wonderful economy we have going I was down sized, I lost my job of 15 years. A cost management part of the companies for they two weeks later had someone else doing my job at less than 1/2 my pay. I found a new job ( at a 60% of my old Pay rate ) This area is totally depressed. But into my second week there I was injured, severe tendon and nerve damage in both arms. And was suggested to have surgery immediately! But that company workmen's comp wont pay, they say it did not happen there I only worked there two weeks, it's where i came from, And of course where I came from won't pay, because I wasn't working for them, at the time of the injury. So no ones paying. Well I find another job, but between talking Linda to her appointments, and my own damaged arms ( Yes BOTH arms ) I was terminated due to poor attendance. I finally found one doctor willing to do the surgeries and wait on payment till we can. If Ever. I had one done 6 weeks ago, and am just starting to get use of that arm back. I'm due in for the other arm in three weeks. 99.9% of you out there were completely understanding even without knowing these details. And only one team has made any stink about this at all. I fully appreciate that. I see the "Teamwork" of Adventure Racing coming through. Just as when some of the high profile racers were injured badly, how the AR community came together for them , We see that here also, Not in a financial way ( even though I sure could use it ) Just on a good spirit and understanding of the situation way. I have always tried to give a great race. And from what most teams have said it was one of the "Must Do" races of the year. And that was a great feeling! But sadly again this year is a no go, because of both Linda's situation as well as my own. Kinda hard to work on a adventure race course with no arms! Plus right now I could not afford it! I'm close to 60 grand in the hole with Linda's medical bills, I'll add close to 14 grand to that for my surgeries, I'm in a house that the mortgage is more than the house is currently worth. If it wasn't for My lawyer that is handling things for me, we'd be without electricity right now. We were shut off last january, Yes they can somewhat. I know they say they can't shut your power off in the winter,, but while somewhat true. They can't totally shut ya off,, but they can legally do what they call 30/30. The power is on 30 minutes, off 30 on 30 off 30. imagine living like that!? Come this winter if I have a home I'll be suprised. If my surgeries work out as hoped, I'll be able to start to get my feet under us again. And if so, then there will be a race come 2009. But right now, It is just not even physically possible even if it was financially. To hold one for 2008. Ever So Sorry, Joe nss@mwt.net |
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