Surviving four near death experiences
February 10th, 2011
Rick on right. Five generations.
After surviving four near death experiences, Rick Raths isn’t sure why his life has been spared time and time again. It is apparent his work here on earth isn’t done yet. In Rick’s words, “I firmly believe it’s not my decision when I go, God decides all!”
At 5 years old, Rick tried jumping off of a mobile home onto some by passers and fell approximately fifteen feet onto the tongue of a jack which pierced his chest; it barely missed his heart and lungs and stopped in time to save his spinal cord. At age 15, he was in a car hit by a train.
Rick was one of only two survivors; he lost four of his closest friends in this accident. He was hurt emotionally and physically; he received hundreds of stitches, endured months in a coma and lived through facial damage, brain swelling, lung and heart issues and a broken femur which caused him to be in a body cast. At 17 years old, he suffered a broken shoulder, nose, back issues and a concussion when a car fell on top of him. And last but not least, at age 36, he nearly cut off his left hand. Rick commented, “It turned out to be a lot more life threatening than I had realized at the time.”
He is coping with a few aches, pains and nightmares but Rick feels his life today is really good. His advice to someone who survives a tragedy while other lives are lost, “Live without regrets and try to make a difference somewhere for your friends don’t have that choice.”
Rick laughed when asked if he lives his life more cautiously today considering his past accidents. He explained, “I thank Jesus for every day he gives to me; it is my choices that make each day good or bad. Rick continued by sharing his outlook, it is one we should all have, “It is hard to control what accidents may happen but how we react to them is up to us. There is always someone worse off and there is a big beautiful world to look at every day with lots of joy if you just look for it!”
His close calls have shaped him into the person he is today. Today, he lives in Sandusky, Ohio with his wife and kids. He gets up everyday with purpose and he works to make a difference in his loved ones lives!
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I love that Rick lives his life in memory of the friends that he lost. Instead of dwelling on why he lived, he makes the most of each and every moment he has in appreciation of being alive. He is a true inspiration!