Anyone who knows Allen Myers knows he’d much rather give than receive. Allen gives in a big way–through service to his community as founder of Regenerating Paradise and as a tireless climate activist and peace activist, through his inspiring photography and videography, through the boundless love he generously shares with family and friends (human and otherwise).
But a freak circumstance necessitates that we, his friends, family, and community, put him on the receiving end of a lot of love right now in the form of money to pay some medical bills and keep him afloat.
Allen was hit by a gigantic rogue wave, smashed against the rocks, and broke his left shoulder (he’s left-handed) in three places. Because he and Annie just moved to Oregon, he is uninsured there. He needs many visits to an orthopedic surgeon and physical therapy. He needs us.
Please, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of Allen’s love, consider returning it now in the form of financial assistance to cover what may turn out to be pretty hefty medical bills as well as loss of income for a while.
Here’s what happened, in Allen’s words: “ Every now and then a moment comes along that shifts the direction of ones life, it can be a small or large shift either way this transition is marked, a “before” and “after.”
November 25th was such a day for me. We went to see the King Tides at Cape Arago on the Oregon coast. High up on the cliffs, we watched the immense and awesome power of the sea. The ground trembled with colossal impact. I had brought with me my long lens as we would be far from the crashing waves, a safe distance. We watched and measured unconsciously where the waves were hitting and where they were not hitting. Looking for a new angle, a new perspective, we moved a little closer, and to the north. From here we watched more of the waves rise up and crash, still very far from where we stood as the tide continued to recede.
A set was coming in and I began to film. What happened next was the transition, the ‘before the wave’ and ‘after the wave.’ Some 50 yards away a wave hit, it sent up a wall of water over a hundred feet into the air, a wall of water filled the viewfinder, a wall of water blocked out the sun and I realized I was in its shadow. I turned to run, and knew as I turned, that I was too late and too close.A rogue wave many multiples larger than what had come before.
I’ve never been hit by a car, but the force of this was so immense and powerful, I was slammed to the rocks, instinctively I tried to protect and hold up my camera, this would be futile and perhaps cost me my shoulder. The thoughts came quick. How much water will there be? Do I need to prepare to swim? How long will I need to hold my breath?
It was dark and I could hear that I was immersed in water.Just as quick as the impact was the rush of the water away, back to the sea, left me flat and clinging to the rocks. More thoughts, are there more waves? Where is Annie? I stumbled up to continue my retreat, I saw our group gathered at the tree line, wet down jackets, nervous laughter, or grateful laughter, we were alive.
The aftermath:
I gained a few things and lost others.
I lost my camera, it stopped turning on with ocean water corroding its circuits. I’ve lost the current function of my dominant arm, my left arm. The proximal humorous was fractured in three places. With physical therapy, I’m hopeful to regain full motion. My phone was pulled out of myjacket pocket but later found on the rocks and still works! I lost my hat, a gift from my friend Joshua.I lost a sense of security observed in wave patterns, some of them are unpredictable.The systems on the planet are being pulled and stretched. The world that we could predict is gone and there is a more chaotic one replacing it.
I gained a new lease on life. Another exercise in letting go of a future I thought was certain. Another test of resilience.
The timing of it all has been hard, I had health insurance in California and was still transitioning to Oregon when this happened. I missed the deadline by a day and won’t be insured until January. Until then, I rest and think of all that I’ll do when I recover.
I share this so that you are aware of where I am, and that I got a new layer added, a scar that tells a story. I share this so that you are reminded of the Earth systems that are stressed and erratic. I share this so you are reminded of how precious life is and that it’s true, everything can change in an instant.”
Let’s show Allen how precious he is to us. Kick in what you can. Any amount helps. And please share with your friends, family, and social network.
Thanks and blessings.
Organized by William Haughey
