41-year-old John Caughlin lost an arm and part of his other hand when a boat ran over him with unprotected propeller during the Maui Channel swim on September 3. The Daily News of Open Water Swimming has this accident update on his situation, which unfortunately isn’t too good.
Despite heroic efforts in an 11-hour operation, the surgeons were unable to salvage John’s right arm and it was removed above the elbow. The left arm was reconstructed; however there was extensive damage to the left hand. John’s left index finger, thumb, and a portion of the hand had been traumatically amputated by the propeller.
The remaining three fingers sustained multiple fractures and severe lacerations. Just 4 days after the incident, John underwent another surgery to reconstruct what remains of his left hand. Additional surgical procedures and grafts will be needed to continue the reconstruction. John will remain hospitalized in Maui for another week and will then have the opportunity to return to California for continued treatment.
Without the use of either of his hands, John will require 24/7 care for quite some time, and has a long, hard recovery ahead of him including surgeries and rehabilitation over the next twelve months and beyond.
People can help out by contributing money here on PayPal, or sending cards and letters of encouragement to his sister, Jennifer Dorsey at: 1210 Green Orchard Place, Encinitas, CA 92024, U.S.A. Read more here.
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If you are not already following John’s blog, you can find it at http://lifeafter615.blogspot.com/
As always, John is incredibly high spirited and continues to improve by the minute!
Thanks Bernadette, mentioned it here also:
http://www.swimmersdaily.com/2012/01/04/life-after-615-the-recovery-blog-of-john-caughlin/