My Isle of Man TT Crash

[trev]

Test your mental fortitude when youre ready
I wonder if your ‘head people’ have given you the same advice about going back and racing again at the TT. Who’s not to say you won’t react in the same ‘strong negative way’ once your ripping around the same track – the memories may came back in a flood.

I’d rather find out how I’m going to react now – not then.

+1

If there are demons to be confronted or lessons to be learnt find out now in an armchair NOT later on the track.

[bugjuice]

I'd be interested in seeing it, but more to see what happened myself too.

Perhaps get someone to watch it before you do, then let them comment/brief you in first, just to say if it's worth you watching it and potentially doing thru all the headfuk again. It depends on how you feel about the whole thing. If yo think you're strong enough, then watch it. If you think you need a bit more time, then leave it for a bit.

end of the day, you know if you're ready or not. If you think you are, and find out the hard way you aren't ready, then there's plenty of people around to lend an ear and help you out..

[Number One]

Watch it with close friends and family - if you don't watch it it will nag at you and if you are prepared for the worst (getting another big fright at how close you came to the end) then maybe you'll be ok cos you'll be prepared...either way I see it as part of the process of closure and dealing with it. Best of luck and hope the recovering is going well for you

[smoky]

Some of the advice here is almost along the lines of – ‘harden up and watch it’ but you’re right to be cautious;
I take it you have had to work thru some form of post traumatic stress!
From what I understand about it – part of the therapy is to not hide away from it – but to confront it, in a controlled environment.
Exposure therapy thru a process of systematic desensitization is carefully and gradually “exposing” yourself to things that remind you of the trauma. Focusing on memories that upset you but you can still manage, gradually increasing your level of exposure in a safe, controlled environment, the reactions will start to feel less intense and overwhelming.

This video maybe an opportunity to do that – maybe listen to it first, with out the pictures, see how you re-act, give it a day or so and if your wife tells you there’s been no real effect – watch it maybe without the sound, until you’re sure there’s no real adverse effects – then watch the whole thing.

[Winter]

I don't remember my crash - so I'm a little less clued up as to what went wrong.

In my case - I would absolutely watch the dvd. (if there was one).


In your case - I still think it would help with closure, being able to get up and get on.

Look at it, then say 'IF i can survive that, I can survive anything.'

Goodluck mate.

[onearmedbandit]

If I had a video of the crash that took my arm (pretty damn traumatic) I would love to watch it. Not for the gore factor, not for analysis, but just to fill in the blanks I have of the preceding minutes and more importantly what happened during and after the crash. Wish I did have footage.

[Tony.OK]

Look at it, then say 'IF i can survive that, I can survive anything.'

Goodluck mate.

+1

Now you've got the footage there's 2 options,watch or not,if not I think you need to get rid of it so its not nagging you.
I beleive you are the sort of person Shaun that will probably almost take inspiration from it,in that you know why it happened,but the fact you survived to come back and even think about doing it again means you are a fighter.
Shit that sounded a bit Dr Phil didn't it.
Get all your family around and turn it into a celebration of sheer grit and determination for all of you.

[WRT]

My girlfriends father was paralyised by a car crash at Bonneville while attempting a land speed record for his class in the late 80's. That event was captured on film, and while he could remember the accident (from his viewpoint in the driver's seat) he still found it beneficial to watch the film. That footage helped him mentally deal with the crash and the after effects, and apparently he had no regrets at all about watching it.

[sugilite:Me]

My thoughts are, OF COURSE I want to see it.

Just the fact you have a desire to watch it, means your ready to. Sounds like the doubts and concerns are coming from outside of your self.

[onearmedbandit]

Get all your family around and turn it into a celebration of sheer grit and determination for all of you.

There is the possibility that his wife and daughter do not want to see it again. I know my wife hates it when I even talk of my last crash at the track, let alone watch the footage.

[dino3310]

At the end of the day it's your call mate only you know if your ready or wanting to watch it.

[Usarka]

But Really want to watch it

Maybe that's a clue. By the sounds of it you've been thinking about it anyway, so its not like you've been repressing the whole incident and then suddenly whamo it's back in your head.

I've gone through the head injury thing, and the hardest part is that you just don't know how you will react, and whether you're reactions are due to your natural personality or the injury.....

my only concern would be if you saw that you made an obvious mistake that caused the crash, will you beat yourself up over it....?

end of the day you are the only one who can make the call. What they are saying is possible, but also possible is that it helps you deal with and accept it.

[MIXONE]

Shaun for what it's worth I say watch it.Not many people get the chance to see what almost killed them.
PS I saw you at Wanganui and have to say you are looking good.

[cowpoos]

I find your gut feeling is almost always right!

[Quasievil]

nah flick it, whats the point you know what happened, why stress out the Whanau, you dont need to see it at all, focus on positives (which is what you been doing) arent you going back this year ? do you want more mental imagery of it going through ya head. Nope its done its history move on.
For me I have zero interest in seeing it, I take no interest in watching people practically die.