As requested, IAmA man who was in an extended coma for a period of 4 months. AMA.

Gwildar · 3 months

Were the medical staff surprised you woke up after such an extended time?

MrMustang · 3 months

When you came out of the coma, were you aware of how much time had passed or did it feel as if it happened instantly after the accident?

aoeu00 · 3 months

I feel awkward asking this, but if the system permitted, and said "here's a gun," and you could pull the trigger on that guy, would you do it? Or, to a lesser extent, if they let you push the button for the electric chair, etc? Or do you feel him serving for the rest of his life is sufficient?

IronCawk · 3 months

Do you dream in a coma? Do you have any idea your still alive or just wake up and not have any idea what happened last four months?

jstew311 · 3 months

Did you feel well rested when you woke up?

johnsmcjohn · 3 months

Do you have a hard time sleeping now?

akir2222 · 3 months

How old are you now? I also read that you said you are completely disabled- mind going into some more detail on this? Are you mobile, able to live alone, etc? All the best though.

Meowmixmyanus · 3 months

How was the wake up experience? As in were you surprised in a hospital or was there people with you, etc.?

disorderlyconductor · 3 months

I may have crossed a line here but I really want you to be able to go fishing.

So I wrote to the Darryl Gwynn Foundation, which has a fundraising event called Hot Rods and Reels and said this:

Hello Darrell Gwynn Foundation,

I'm writing you about your Hot Rods and Reels events and also to ask you for help. I'm asking because I'm moved by the story of a man called Tedsnake. On this site called reddit.com, Tedsnake started a thread, to respond to a request from another member on the site, about his life after waking from a coma which had a duration of four months.

My curiosity quickly turned to compassion as this man, aided by his roommate, described how drastically his life changed after an impaired driver took the lives of his wife and children and very nearly himself. I would encourage you to look through the discussion here to be heartened by the challenges this individual has overcome: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/p6xx7/as_requested_iama_man_who_was_in_an_extended_coma/

To provide a brief (and what I am sure is in no way complete) history of the comments, Tedsnake lost his job as a manager of Ohio Auto Parts Company, until it went out of business November 11th, 2006. The following spring Tedsnake was involved in the accident which robbed him of his family. After being discharged from the hospital he was homeless only until recently.

I was particularly moved to compassion by this comment: Tedsnake: I was manager of a very large auto parts company in Ohio for 25 of my 30 years employment there. I used to professionally drag race and do mechanic work, including building custom show cars. I can't do these things now. I'm totally disabled now. And I'm worthless. I collect money from the government to sit here and eat. To me that's a worthless person. (Roommate: Doing my best to assure him he's wrong about this)

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/p6xx7/as_requested_iama_man_who_was_in_an_extended_coma/c3n0qcb

This comment in particular that started me on the search which led me to your organization:
Tedsnake: No. I'm completely disabled now. I used to work in an autoparts warehouse, but I'm not able to do that now. As for hobbies, I still create models (tanks and airplanes, mostly.) I don't create furniture or hunt anymore, though. And nobody will take me fishing. http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/p6xx7/as_requested_iama_man_who_was_in_an_extended_coma/c3n0kbs

I live in Canada, so I can't take Tedsnake fishing, since he lives in Orlando. However, I've noticed that your organization is nearby. I'm hoping that an organization such as yours, that has combined these two passions of Tedsnake would be willing to help this man get his lure in the water. I recognize that the Darrell Gwynn Foundation has focused its mandate to provide support for people living with paralysis and prevent spinal cord injuries. While Tedsnake has mentioned he requires a wheelchair for distances greater than 50ft, he does not have full paralysis to my knowledge. However I believe your organization and Tedsnake are kindred spirts, it is my hope that through your organization, Tedsnake can return to at least one of the things he enjoys to do.

Sincerely, DisorderlyConductor.

I hope that other redditors will send a similar email to info@darrellgwynnfoundation.org and the power of the internet can get you out on the water. All the best my friend!

TL;DR Send an email to info@darrellgwynnfoundation.org and help get Tedsnake out fishing!

EDIT As pointed out, I got the email address wrong. Fixed that for this post, but big thanks to NattyBumppo for catching my error. Much appreciated. Now lets show that charity the kind of outpouring that got SOPA shelved!

EDIT 2 Big thanks to the hundreds of you that sent emails. We're almost there, please see their reply:

*Hi. This morning we’ve received hundreds of emails from people all over the country asking us to help a gentlemen named “Tedsnake”. We are trying to understand who exactly Tedsnake is, how all of you learned of our organization and fishing tournament, and why and how an email campaign started requesting we help him. We really aren’t having much luck understanding the situation from any of the emails or links that are being sent to us.

If any of you can direct us to a caretaker for this gentlemen, we would be happy to investigate the matter and see if we can assist. Thank you and please have a caretaker contact us a info@darrellgwynnfoundation.org.*

Tedsnake · 3 months

It took a long time before I felt like doing that type of thing, so I had to think about it. I went to a Christmas show at the amphitheater at Lake Eola in Orlando afterward, which was hosted by Home Sweet Homeless, a group that helps homeless people in the area.

sandfire · 3 months

When you were told how long you were in a coma, what was your first thought/response? How hurt was your wife?

DoctorMeninx · 3 months

I'm very grateful to see you are still alive, Ted. Terrible pretenses, but thank you for sharing.

My only question is what do you hope to accomplish in the future? Perhaps writing a book, or finding some way to channel your experiences into a positive outlet?

A_Crazy_Hooligan · 3 months

How much was your hospital bill? do you remember anything before your coma? like the accident. I have heard of some people being in a coma and being aware of their surroundings but not ebing able to respond. Did you experience this?

nerdbebo · 3 months

Where you from? I'll take you fishing if you are nearby.

Dan_BikeMan · 3 months

I'm really sorry that this happened to you, man. You have my utmost respect.

My question is this: what do you do for a living? What did you do before the accident?

petrofire · 3 months

How different did your body feel (strength, reflexes, reaction time, fatigue, etc) after 4 months of lying in a bed? How difficult was it to cope with these changes?

shinja59 · 3 months

Were there any benefits of being able to (from your perspective) abruptly skip four months into the future?

Jaredmf · 3 months

Somebody buy this man a boat.

G1023 · 3 months

Did the doctors describe how you awoke? As in, was there something medical that triggered it, and how did they become aware you had woken up?

Rooster_Munchies · 3 months

Damn this sounds horrible. No question, just wanted to say mad respect for being able to keep trucking on after that. I can't imagine how shattered you must have been losing your family like that.

Fuck dude, I'll come fishing with you. We'll get Chipotle afterwards too.

PhilGarber · 3 months

I am a person who stutters. Are you aware of the stuttering support community? Http://www.westutter.org

stievstigma · 3 months

What did you do before the accident? Have you been able to resume your previous career/hobbies?

parisien96 · 3 months

Do you recall everything from before the accident? Like street names, nearest supermarket, stuff like that... Also, how long has it been since you woke up? Thank you in advance.

Tindwel · 3 months

If you worked for that company for so long, do you have some sort or retirement promised?

How did you find your room mate? By the way, room mate, you seem pretty awesome.

Can you post pictures of some of your models or past projects? ^{_^}

kjoleem · 3 months

What kind of rehabilitation did you through after you awoke from the coma (physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech)? What kinds of challenges did you face and what was the impact of rehab on your life?

thefielder · 3 months

As a father of three myself, I can safely say that I'm not sure I would want to continue living after losing my girls.. I can't begin to imagine what you've gone through just emotionally let alone physically. I wish you the best in your recovery and hope the guy who did this to you rots in hell.

lawyerlady · 3 months

I am so sorry for your loss. Did you miss the funerals for your family or did they host a memorial for you to attend?

therealknewman · 3 months

were you hungry/thirsty after waking up? I know they give you IV nutrients, but I imagine its just not the same as food.

7HR4SH3R · 3 months

So you were in the coma strictly due to head trauma then? Or was it medically induced? Did your body wake you up, or did doctors do something to make you wake up?

ItsEvolution · 3 months

Did this experience, as well as your health issues as of now, put a new perspective on how you view death? And how did you deal with being stuck in the hospital for that long(while awake, that is)? Being someone who was in the hospital for 9 days(spending Christmas there as well), it was.......hell to put it bluntly, but thats because I'm only 16 and I hadn't seen my friends for months(I couldn't go to school prior to this)..yadda yadda yadda. The usual psychologist lingo.

But I digress. Regardless of what you've done in your life so far, I find it admirable that you've gone through so much and are still trudging along. Hope things turn out for the better.

mandjari · 3 months

Was there anything that had happened during your coma that you were shocked to find out about? (Ex. A law that got passed, friends breaking up, any deaths, etc. It could be on a large or small scale)

Watchdog84 · 3 months

Have you tried zolpidem? There are stories about it restoring brain function in coma and former coma patiens.

chelseahardass · 3 months

No question, just wanted to say you are an amazing person

Dysgalty · 3 months

Horribly sorry to here what happened to you, I hope your cognitive functions fully recover in due time. But I have a question, I remember reading something before concerning the sex drive after recovering from a coma. What was your sex drive after you recovered?

Trollmastr · 3 months

how did u learn of your family's deaths? how did you cope with it?

FrancisDollarHyde · 3 months

Goddamn farmers with their trailers. What happened to the person that did this to you?

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