Video: Balance, Episode 5 - Revival

Nov 13, 2012 at 16:09
by Kelsey Thompson  
Views: 17,646    Faves: 132    Comments: 4


In this episode Dave talks about recovering from the car crash that almost claimed his life and how his bike motivated him through rehab.

If you missed Dave's first episode check it out here.
Starring: Dave Vanderveen
Directed and Produced by: Kelsey Thompson
Animation by: Deia Schlosberg
For music info please visit: balancetv.net

Author Info:
kelseythompson avatar

Member since Aug 1, 2012
3 articles

69 Comments
  • 51 2
 It's not the world cup racers, the rampage events, or the freeriders doing front flips that remind me why I ride it's people like you, cheers!
  • 22 0
 I am a below knee amputee, but I have been since I was about 1 years old. I can't imagine what I would be like to have..and then to lose. You are a real fighter sir and you seem to be walking great ! You have deffanitaly made me want to go shred it up even though it's cold as f*ck !
  • 9 0
 I thankfully still have but came close. Hats off to you and anyone that's rocking a prosthetic and participating in sport of any kind.
  • 18 0
 Nice vid man. I just had surgery today to clean up an my ankle. I had a similar injury to my talas which I fractured and displaced 12 years ago. It also was a blood flow issue and my mountain bike kept me motivated through 3 months of crutches non weight bearing. I like to hear success stories like yours. See you at Silverstar!
  • 6 42
flag abzillah (Nov 13, 2012 at 22:43) (Below Threshold)
 His shaved leg looked like a prosthetic.
  • 3 0
 fuck you very much for that comment abzillah
  • 13 0
 Thanks Pinkbike for posting this very inspirational story.....
  • 9 0
 I've been feeling down while recovering from shoulder surgery but this video makes me want to go hit the gym and then climb a mountain with my bike in my hand... I can't actually do that still but the motivation is there!
  • 5 0
 A while back, I had reconstructive surgery on my ACL in my left knee, and still have a torn meniscus. Injuries that require surgery can be extremely demoralizing, but they can also be a reroute in your life. Mine certainly was. Because of my injury, and the staff of health and fitness professionals that helped me to get back to where I am today truly inspired me, and I am just about to graduate out of my bachelor's degree program in school to join their ranks. Currently I am a personal trainer, health coach, speed and agility, and strength and conditioning coach for young athletes. Though they may not fully understand, I will occasionally share videos like this with them to lend motivation. Your video is very inspirational for anyone who has been injured, and has probably thought to themselves that their life will never be the same again. While correct about their life never being the same again, it could be so much better than before. Bravo on your recovery sir! Keep on being an inspiration! The image that you portray (in this case optimism/positivity) will draw others to you, and bring good things into your life.
  • 2 0
 There were so many that I drew inspiration from, many in much worse situations than mine. I'm thankful and honored to be an inspiration to others in the same way.
"optimism/positivity) will draw others to you, and bring good things into your life." Right after the crash it was the intense pain that told me I was alive and not paralyzed. How could I not be immediately positive about that? It's all a manner of perspective.
:-)
  • 2 0
 if it does not kill you it f**king hurts and if it hurts that means you are alive


one thing I have learnt after my crash
  • 5 0
 Anyone interested in seeing the rest of the series can check it out at balancetv.net, Dave's final episode will air December 3rd.

I'm glad everyone is feeling inspired by Dave's story, knowing and shooting with Dave has changed my outlook on life for the better!
  • 3 0
 Videos like this should really be in the running for vids of the day and or year!!! Props to you Dave, and your continued recovery.. Thanks for sharing your journey, and part of your struggle with us. As was said way earlier, stories like this are what really inspires us to keep on keepin on!
  • 3 0
 I love the attitude. I got impaled by broken seat rails and almost died from blood loss on the trails a few years ago. The thought of biking and the support of friends/family members kept me strong during my recovery. I love hearing inspirational stories like this. Good work...keep it up and stay healthy! \
Cheers
  • 2 0
 I met you this past year at Sun Peaks Dave.....
Any fan of outdoor sports would immediately take note of his set-up. A sick Jeep w/ every imaginable toy hanging off of it. Glad we got to take a few laps and reminisce about Red Shreds and WL. As a Physio I'm blown away by peoples courage and inner strength when dealing with life-altering injuries. I appreciate stories like this even more after snapping my tib-fib in half this past year. Never thought I'd ride hard again, but alas, taking laps w/ Dave changed all of that. Keep on keepin on Dave!!!
Cheers!!
Seth
  • 1 0
 Cheers to that!! I remember, was a couple good rips for sure. A memorable moment from this year too. Behind you guys on that steep run at committed speed and I couldn't see the trail through the dust. Had to use the force. hehe. If you are ever passing through Kelowna let me know and we'll hit some trails here. Dave
  • 2 0
 Dave, thank u for your inspiration. i have gone thru 3 years of 3 major injuries - broken back, foot surgery and most recently, reconstructive knee surgery. I've had a lot of time to stare at my bike and boards collecting dust but this has taught me what is really important and provided me the motivation to regain what i've lost. And when my long recovery has me down, i read stories like yours to keep me going. i am approx 75% thru my recovery, am back on the bike and am rehabing everyday to regain what i need to shred pow, waves and dirt. Your determination and willpower gives others strength to keep working and training to get healthy.
thanks again, keep spreading those good vibes brother!
Simon
  • 1 0
 Sounds like you too have a story of inspiration. If you don't mind me asking, what happened?
  • 1 0
 no one to blame but myself... or karma. 3 separate injuries. broken back and torn up knee were sustained backcountry skiing around pemberton. perhaps after 30 yrs of pushing hard on the skis i needed to find those personal boundaries. broken foot was a random rock hidden just below waterline (still thankful i jumped feet first). put together, the cumulative effect of 3 yrs in rehabilitation mode have been greater than the sum of 3 individual injuries - both psychologically and physically. but i've had little nibbles of stoke along the way to keep me going - XC riding, mellow time on the water and out in the pow - whatever it takes to keep increasing my mobility.
  • 2 0
 I shattered my knee-cap into dust in 2001 Dave. They said I'd never ride again. 11 years on and I'm still getting faster with 4 megavalaches and numerous races under my belt. My brother broke his spine, crushing 3 vetebrae 2 years ago. They said he may never walk again.. I was out riding with him last weekend... You will keep healing. Especially with your attitude. Maybe more slowly as time goes on. But keep at it and listen to your body. Head up and ride on!
  • 2 0
 Your blessed bro !! Some believe ......some don't ....but you ARE !! I have been maimed in a few bad car wrecks and I hit a 200lb. deer while traveling at a high rate of speed on my motorcycle and was also.....blessed !! Keep after the positive thought bro ! Best wishes, JG
  • 2 0
 You know, it kinds of puts it into perspective when I feel pain or tiredness in my fully functional limbs when I ride or even crash. You've taken it beyond the next level and makes me appreciate what I have and not whine about what I wish I had. Nice work.
  • 2 0
 Beyond stoked on this!! About 5 months ago I cut 3 tendons on top of my foot, i am just now beginning to walk with two shoes on my own. I have been also using snowboarding and biking as huge motivation to get back into things. Good luck with your recovery man!!
  • 2 0
 I've just started riding again afte having snapped my hand off, I found videos like this always really helped.. I hope anyone who is out with injury gets back to the bike soon!
  • 1 0
 im glad your getting thru it bud. I'm recovering from a shattered kneecap, my doctor told me he was picking out 'gravel' that should be bone and hadnt seen an injury this bad on a knee in his time. they basically wired and stapled what was left of my knee back together and that was that. early on set Arthritis ( at 2Cool and a full knee replacement before i'm 40. Its been 6 months since I did it, i may be limping for life, and i havent really touched my bike. The hardest part is the doubt. Its those nights when you lie in bed thinking what i would be doing if i was ok, and the times you wake up in the middle of the night feeling like your stupid for even trying to rehab. Its a lonely feeling. but I know i'm getting better. watching edits like this makes me sure i'll be shredding again at some point. I was never really given a clear answer as to whether i would ride again, i guess it something the doctor wasnt sure of himself, but i'll be damned if im not guna get back on a bike. i'm rehabing and gyming regularly and i can spin the cranks on a spin bike so i know its guna get better. but its great stories like this that make me know im doing the right thing. stay strong buddy. I'm guna do it if you're guna do it, see you on the trails.
  • 1 0
 Awesome!! Sounds like the trails may not be too far off. Cheers to that!!
  • 2 0
 I'm rivited to this thread. There are so many stories of inspiration. Strong will, spirit and the connection to our sport drives us all to recovery when the odds aren't favourable. Sweet action!!
  • 1 0
 Hell of an awesome story, & it scares me. I broke my foot in 2 places about 3 months ago. I was shitting myself at the possibility of surgery (not needed luckily). I thought broken bones just kind of heal back together. I had no idea that losing a limb was possible from breaking a bone.
  • 1 0
 I guess it depends on the severity of the break and which bone is broken. I lost 3 inches of my right tibia; the leg is compressed in the x-ray. The surgeon put a rod inside the tibia which stretched it back out. To fill the 3 inch gap, bone fragments were taken from my hips during multiple surgeries. The first time it didn't work and had to be done again removing the rod and putting in a bigger one. The second go around thankfully worked. My left talus bone was crushed and it's the bone that attaches your foot to your leg and what would be considered the hinge. This bone along with the scaphoid in the wrist are the worst for getting good blood supply which makes healing more of a challenge and topping it off, the micro arteries that supply blood to the talus were torn away leaving my talus to essentially die. All of my early rehab I did was to promote blood flow in my foot which thankfully worked along with multiple reconstructive surgeries.
  • 1 0
 Really enjoyed the video. Two years ago I fell off a ladder and had that "oh sh*t" moment when I looked down and saw the ends of my fib/tib where my foot should have been. Talus was completely dislocated and broken in a couple places. Although the prognosis was not great for walking let alone mountain biking, I have been back on the trails for over a year now. It's not perfect - I wear a brace and I don't have the range of motion in the ankle to allow comfortable hike-a-biking uphill - but I am out there, and I know what a blessing that is. I do have AVN in the talus and know that will create future issues, but I also know I will be able to keep riding regardless. You just gotta make it happen. Thanks for sharing your story and keep riding.
  • 1 0
 This video could not have posted at a better time . Broke my patella in half and tore my meniscus last week. Nervous about surgery, recovery and my add while not being able to ride. Thankful to see such a inspirational video.
  • 4 0
 very touching and inspirational story. Salute
  • 2 0
 recently broke wrist and collarbone in a crash at the local hill, most boring 6 weeks of my life coming right up! can't wait to ride again...
  • 3 0
 I cracked my navicular bone and have been out for 2 months. This vid inspired me!
  • 2 0
 And I'm complaining about a broken finger keeping me off the bike for 2 months... True inspiration, I am very happy to see that you made a seemingly full recovery Smile
  • 1 0
 Dave, I can see you're still shredding that V-Tach, but it might be time to put it on the wall and get yourself a Podium! Wink All kidding aside,...great story. Thanks to Pinkbike for showing it as well.
  • 2 0
 haha.. yes indeed. And a Chilcotin and Endorphin too. One day... Loving my Knolly :-)
  • 1 0
 Bit of a hangover. Tired. It's cold and wet out.... warm in bed ... watched this video ... NOW I'M jumping outta bed ... grabbing my bike .. and off. Inspirational stuff - brilliant! Good luck.
  • 2 0
 Congrads u. Finley got back on the bike. That. Clip was. Truley inspirational. Props to. You. Keep on shreding it up
  • 1 0
 That was amazing, serious props to you, it's incredible to see the progress and I hope you continue to recover well and build your strength back up! Never give up, ride on and thanks for inspiring everyone!
  • 2 0
 This guy is awesome. And I thought it sucked when I broke my wrist and couldnt ride for 1 month. Inspiring.
  • 1 0
 loved the vid. broke talas two yrs ago and i now have AVN. not sure if my talas will revascularize of not. i continue to wait. can i have your e-mail to chat?

thx!
  • 2 0
 Check this out; www.exogen.ca I used this machine from early on in my recovery. It's thought to stimulate healing of bone and also revascularization. As well as this, my ankle was put in a removable air cast. I took it off regularly and clenched my muscles at first while there was supposed to be no movement. Very quickly I started to move my foot as best as I could. Using an elastic workout band I then started to pull and push with a little resistance. While in the wheelchair I would rest my foot on the floor and do calf raises. Also lots of massaging and hot baths. During the hot baths I would remove my foot from the hot water and cover with a cold cloth and repeat multiple times to stimulate blood flow. As I was feeling signs of recovery I started to weight bear by putting weight in my lap and do calf raises. Then I started to stand using counter tops to hold the bulk of my weight and gradually put more weight on my legs as I felt I could. As soon as I could I started working out my upper body, crawling on my knees in the gym with my casts on, loading weights and such. Although there was no direct force on my injuries, there would be flexing of the muscles which promoted blood flow. Toward the end of the wheelchair I started doing leg extensions and curls with casts on. I even did no leg impact cardio kick boxing in my wheelchair with my wife. Through all of this I never went to physiotherapy as I felt I was doing a pretty good job on my own. Through each surgery I would pretty much repeat this process. At one point my surgeon said to keep up what I was doing as it was working. I've always found "working" the injury to be the best therapy. Keep in mind, this is what worked for me. I would never suggest someone to do something other than what is recommended by their doctor.
  • 2 0
 I've not read the rest of the thread, INSPIRING SHIT Whatever the result, great filming an all.
  • 1 0
 Dave, just watched the episode with Shreddie over breakfast at the lake. Great story, very inspiring, it's a pleasure knowing you!
  • 1 0
 Thanks Tom, I appreciate that. Can't wait for spring to get up to the puddle and ride with you guys!!
  • 1 0
 If you missed part 1 "Ride on", search Vanderveen or click on the link at the end of this video to check it out.
  • 2 0
 I'm going to leave my bike in my room more often!
  • 2 0
 very inspirational... keep on shredding!
  • 2 0
 inspirational. That is all i have to say.
  • 2 0
 Big up for U man! Respect!
  • 2 0
 Great video, go shred her.....
  • 2 0
 awesome dude.. keep riding Big Grin
  • 2 0
 1:24 He's balancing on two wheels! No way!
  • 1 0
 hehe... I couldn't ride so I learned how to have fun in my chair. I was rarely on 4 wheels. Manuals, spins, stairs... woohoo :-)
  • 2 0
 And some of us complain about the cost of gas or traffic. Great video!!!!
  • 2 0
 Admiration
  • 2 0
 Yeah man go get'er!
  • 2 0
 Truly Inspirational
  • 2 0
 Amazing! Power to you !
  • 1 0
 Be nice to know the time scales of your recovery ... Good luck mate
  • 1 0
 The leg x-ray is my right leg and the ankle is my left. Wheelchair for nine months and crutches off and on for the remainder of 2 years. The accident happened Feb 9th 2009. I missed 2 riding seasons and got back on my bike spring of 2011. I had may last surgery scheduled (of which the x-ray with screws was from) for early summer 2011 and had it delayed to September 2011 so as to not miss riding that summer. It was a long road that when I reflect back on went pretty quick. My surgeon said he'll be happy if my ankle lasts ten years. I far exceeded their expectations so far so figure that ten years is conservative. :-)
My right leg is close to 100% although my knee feels somewhat arthritic time to time. My left ankle has limited movement but wearing a brace while riding doesn't bother me. Only set back with riding really is that it's hard to keep my foot planted on the pedal so I'm now running clipped in for all riding. Hoping to change that since jumping kinda freaks me out a bit clipped in. My ankle still bothers me, stiff and painful most mornings especially when cold. Walking on uneven surfaces tweaks it too but a brace is helpful there. Standing for periods of time doesn't feel very good either. Most of the time I can walk without a limp and people can't typically tell I've had a serious injury. It's been a little over 3.5 years and I've continued to see improvements but feeling like my recovery may have plateaued. Considering the extent of the injuries I'm incredibly grateful I've made it this far.
  • 2 0
 You're a trooper! I also broke my talus bone (riding at Highland in NH) and have been on crutches or a PTB unloader for the last six months. I also have been waiting on a piece of the talus to regain blood supply, which it finally is. I have never been so depressed and pissed off in my life. I had to give my bike to my brother for the summer because I wanted to ride it so bad.

You humble me! I can't even imagine remaining that strong and positive for two years. You have some real endurance to withstand that and stay motivated the whole way through. My hat is off to you buddy!
  • 2 0
 Time will pass faster than you know and you'll be back on your bike. Not saying not to do what your doctors tell you but listen to your body and push yourself as hard as you can. Things that are still tent to stay still and things that are in motion tend to stay in motion. PM me if I can ever be of help. Hang in there...
  • 1 0
 Inspirational story, kudos and my respect. I've only had an ACL which, although I wouldn't wish upon anyone, seems childs play to this. I was wondering about why you would ride clipless after all that has happened, but the limited movement explains it, thanks for sharing your story.

Lady luck seemed to be on your side in that the deactivated airbag was still deployed, but what happened to your seatbelt? Did it fail?
  • 2 0
 thanx pb. class 1 storey
  • 2 0
 VOY
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