Ducati Monster Forum

OK so a few words of warning to start … this is probably not what you were expecting and my writing style is long, boring and pretty weird. So either move along muttering about the weird Aussie bloke or sit back and relax.
 
So to the B.O.M.B.B. – browsing through the Bike of the Moment I was thinking about the Forum and what it has come to represent (building on from TOB). My slightly skewed perspective has reinterpreted BOMB to mean Bunch of Mates, Bloody Brilliant – and it was something which has become quite important over recent times.

Long story, slightly shortened … my wife (a few in Ozmo-land know Jukie on the forum) was involved in an accident overseas. She suffered a life threatening injury and had emergency surgery. As you can imagine it was a pretty stressful time but the support we received from the guys and girls on the forum was nothing short of amazing. Now I suppose we may have expected a deluge of well wishes but we were overwhelmed by the offers of help coming from the other side of the world.

OzMonsters … Bunch of Mates, Bloody Brilliant!

After finding out what had happened the response was immediate … offers varied from financial assistance, dealing with insurance companies, providing local contacts, interpreting services right through to checking the credentials of the hospital we had ‘landed in’. The mob then set about a small fundraising and within a couple of days a cake had arrived at the hospital with greetings and well wishes from home. Plans for a recovery BBQ were soon underway … and that brings us more or less to the present.

In what turns out to be the first party thrown in her honour we recently had ‘Jukie’s Recovery BBQ’. Fully funded and catered for by the OzMonster mob … and Julie’s first (slightly timid) outing back on her own Monster. There are many forum members (and their families) that have helped out and contributed to Julie’s recovery in ways they may not even realise … and I am sure there are many more that I am unaware of. The beauty of which from my point of view is that they are the type of guys that will just do it and don’t need the public adoration for which they are worthy.

I just thought my little message of thanks was worthy of a broader audience than the Local Board where I spend so much time.

I have been amazed in the way such a loose bunch of misfits tied together through their love of Monsters stepped up and did so much. Quite simply a Bloody Brilliant Bunch of Mates! Thank You Everyone!

Now for a bit of background to my odd ramblings which may answer some of the inevitable questions … it all starts with the ‘trip of a lifetime’ for my wife and I – it was to be our first trip out of the South Pacific and was to culminate with a week riding Monsters through the Tuscan Hills incorporating a visit to the Ducati factory and museum. Unfortunately things did not all go according to plan.

On what was effectively the first day of our Ducati Tour we were on our way to the factory (in fact less than 5km away as we later found out) when a guy in a car decided it was more important that he reach his exit than the health and well being of my wife. So he cut across several lanes of traffic right in front of her before hitting the brakes. Basically she had nowhere to go … a lesser rider (such as me) would have plowed into the right hand side of the car. But Julie initiated an emergency swerve only for the bike to stand up and clip the back left hand corner of the car.

What really happened we will never know but by my reckoning the handlebar swung around and something has made contact with her abdomen. In all honesty it didn’t seem too serious … shaken and obviously furious she was encouraged to hospital a bit tender in the midriff. After waiting about 6 hours for attention, the following happened in quick succession: x-rays, ultrasound, ECG, CAT scan and she was in surgery before the next hour was out.

So our ‘holiday’ was extended by a week in Bologna hospital.

From one of the BOMBBers ......   [thumbsup]

Our pleasure Betty & Jukie........

Restores your faith in good old fashion mate-ship how everybody just wanted to help....  ;D  ;D

And of course was a great excuse for a BBQ and a few beers (the real reason... ;) ).....  [beer]  [popcorn]  [bacon]

.... and a few pictures ....


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3674854700_7ebf03b336.jpg)

Well there's your problem!


(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3825758228_7930c555b4.jpg)

But she's better now (at the BBQ)


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3825756980_23b6c06922.jpg)

... and there were some Monsters in attendance


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/3825758560_26f68930ae.jpg)

Of course some people can't help themselves ... even at a BBQ

Bravo to the Bloody Brilliant Bunch of Mates  [drink]

 [beer] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [clap] [clap]

 [bow_down] [clap]

 [clap] [clap] [clap]

 [clap] [clap] [clap]

I love this forum  ;D

Congratulations on the recovery. If there is anything that we can do still let us know  ;)

This forum is awesome. What a great story of a community pulling together for a mate.
Betty, I do not know you, but you are a part of this forum community, so with your hubby and the OzMonster folks I'm glad that you are better now.

BTW I dig the espresso machine.

Cheers, Marcel

 [clap] [clap] ;D

Monster Scar to go with the Monster Bike.  :o

It warms the heck out of my heart to hear stories like this one (and there are HUNDREDS people...).  This board of people is more than just a place where we exchange BS, repair tid-bits, jokes, bike pics, & what-have-you.  It truly *IS* a community and one that I'm am proud to be a member of and even prouder to have helped save from TOB & the Canadian Overlords.

3 Cheers from SoCal to Betty and here's to a complete recovery (if it hasn't happened already)!  [beer]
--Stuart

I hate to tell everyone but...

Betty is the husband...and a guy.  ;D

Thanks for sharing your story.

This place is amazing because of all of you.  [clap] [clap] [clap]

Thanks Nate, Thought I had lost my mind (probably have).  [laugh]


Thank you for your beautiful story Betty & Jukie!

 [clap]   I'm glad everything turned out ok for you.  It's great when folks look out for each other.  I've been amazed at the support on this forum. Good folks.

If you don't mind me bumping this one back up again ... I have a little footnote which ties in a little to the title.

Jukie took out the Ducati Owners Club of NSW Concours d'elegance trophy for Best Monster Desmodue ... I'm very proud of both of them.

Mattyvas (one of the BOMBB) also took out best 4 valve Monster with other BOMBB/forum members runners up in each category.

Thank you all for the well wishings ... and yes I am a bloke.

;D