Hello And Thanks

[injun]

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and express my appreciation to the talented luthiers on this site. My name is Paul and I am 35 years old. I live in Arkansas with my wife and two beautiful children. I have been playing guitar for about twenty years. A little over a year ago, I had a very bad accident at my workplace. The middle and ring finger of my left hand were crushed off. Not cut off, but crushed off by a 50 ton crane axle. My index finger was broken into an L shape. After being told at the emergency room by two surgeons that they were going to just cut off the remaining bone down to the big knuckles on my middle and ring finger and sew them up, there was one surgeon that said he would try and piece them back together. While waiting to see if my pieced together digits would "take" and not have to be taken back off, I went into a bit of a depression. Not knowing if I would keep my fingers was murder but not knowing if I would be able to play again was the worst. So I thought "If I can't play'em....I'll build'em!!!". That's what led me to this site. It lifted my spirits and inspired me seeing what could be accomplished, even if I couldn't play anymore. However, by the grace of God and several pins and screws later, I have all my fingers and playing again. I can't play as well as I used to because of muscle loss and lack of feeling in them, but I am playing. So again I tell all of you "Thanks" for the inspiration and helping me in a rough time in my life. I look forward to posting and sharing what little info I have learned in the last 20 yrs. of playing and repairing. Remember to donate to this site if you are able. I will be donating shortly. I'd like to give a "shout out" to my Arkansas brethren GuitarFrenzy and Mr.Majestic. Thanks to all----Paul

[ae3]

That is an epic story.

Hope your finger continues to get stronger.

I don't even want to think about what I'd do if I lost a finger.