They’re Still Kicking
Father and son return to karate after harrowing motorcycle mishap less than a year ago
VENESSA RYAN
Times & Transcript Staff
After suffering a fractured femur and pelvis, tearing abdominal muscles and sustaining extensive nerve damage in a leg, Michel Carrier’s full recovery is something short of a miracle.
Less than a year after a harrowing motorcycle accident, the Moncton resident is also active in sports again and is taking karate to a higher level than he ever imagined.
The accident occurred Canada Day weekend of last year. Carrier was driving on his motorcycle from Quebec to Campbellton with his young son, Mathieu. They opted to take a rocky, dirt road instead of the main highway.
Michel recalls swerving out of control on a sharp turn and into oncoming traffic.
“I do not remember much after that, but I remember trying to regain control of my bike. I managed to avoid the first truck, but we went head on with the second truck,” explained Michel.
Mathieu, 11 at the time, was thrown about 15 feet after the collision and suffered a broken pelvis.
“When we got to the hospital the entire staff was very impressed with Mathieu. They informed me that he remained calm, cool and collected throughout the entire time. They had never seen anything quite like it,” Michel said.
“After evaluating Mathieu, the doctor’s informed me that they could not operate on Mathieu’s pelvis because he was still growing,” explained Michel.
“Instead, he had to wear a medical wrap around his pelvis for two months in order to help put it back into place.”
“After those two months, Mathieu went through intense rehabilitation for another two months in order to regain resistance.”
Michel’s recovery from two long operations would take much longer than his son’s. Michel said his knee and hip, where pins were inserted, are still swollen, but “at least I am still walking.”
He’s accomplished much more than that. These days, he’s karate training regularly with his son.
“Even though I am not able to do a lot of the things I did before the accident, karate has helped me keep my sanity through this difficult time,” Michel said.
“I am able to kick, but it bothers me to stand for long periods of time. My upper body is pretty strong so I am able to punch almost normal.”
Michel’s entire body is still very sore.
“The accident took a lot out of me. I do not think I would be here today if I had not been as athletic as I was. Being in good shape helped me survive the accident and has helped me recover faster,” explained Michel.
As a kid growing up in Dalhousie, Michel was involved in boxing, martial arts and judo. He left home with his late wife when he was 17 and moved to Moncton.
"Once I moved to Moncton I was still extremely active. I ran a half marathon and used to be able to run 12 miles in 76 minutes.
"I started to take karate more seriously after Mathieu was a bit older. When he was growing up he wasn’t all that interested in hockey or basketball so I decided to put him into karate and it took off from there.
Before the accident Michel used to train two or three hours a day. He is now able to put in about three our four hours a week.
“It’s a slow recovery, but I am stubborn enough to keep pushing myself through it,” said Michel, who is currently a blue, brown-striped belt.
“Mathieu and I train together during the week, which makes it easier for transportation. We have our father son arguments, but Marc (their instructor) keeps us in line,” said Michel while laughing.
Michel explained that as much as he wants to concentrate on his recovery, taking care of his home and family are the number one priorities.
“It is very tough being a single parent raising a young boy. Mathieu is an excellent kid. He is very athletic and does well in school. I am also working on getting back to a stable health so that I can get back to putting in a full day of work,” Michel said.
Although this has been a roller coaster ride of emotion for Michel, he mentioned there was one thing that was harder than anything else.
“My biggest concern was my son’s recovery. It made me so upset every day that he had to suffer and go through it all. Once he was fully recovered, I was able to concentrate on my own recovery.”
Although Michel and Mathieu have both made remarkable recoveries, he admits there is still a long way to go.
"Again, I am very stubborn and I will not stop training until I feel I can not recover any more. I do not care how long it takes.
“I’ve had to make a lot of adjustments in my life, yet I’ve managed to get through it all so far. I have learned that exercising has been a big key and I always refuse to give up.”
Michel and Mathieu’s instructor Marc Paradis has been amazed by their recoveries and commitment to karate.
“They were both in horrible conditions after the accident. Michel came to the school days after the operation and was white as a ghost,” explained Paradis.
Paradis remembers Michel as a boxer.
"We both lived in Dalhousie growing up. I’ve known Michel for a long time and have always been impressed with his positive attitude. He is just a great guy.
“His physical health before the accident was impeccable. Michel is very determined and will someday have his fitness and health back to their original state.”
Not only was Michel’s recovery period remarkably short, but he did it all on his own.
“Michel is a very determined man. He has worked and trained very hard to overcome the accident. Many of my students find him extremely inspirational,” Paradis said.
“What impresses me the most about Michel is how he always demonstrates such an incredible positive attitude through these tough times.”
http://www.canadaeast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050524/TTEBRIEF/305240154/-1/FRONTPAGE
Look at the picture in the article, do karate people normally flop their hands all over the place like that?