CLARKSVILLE -
They're used to putting out fires that destroy buildings, but Saturday, fire fighters with the Belding, Orleans, Alto, Freeport and Clarksville departments came together to build and it was all for one of their own.
Alan Jackson has been a volunteer firefighter with the Clarksville Department for more than a decade. He also owns the Clarksville Tire and Auto Repair store, and runs an excavating company in the area.
Just ten days ago, Jackson was working on his pole barn, the future site of storage for his excavating equipment, when he fell from the rafters. He fell 22 feet, 7 inches and was seriously injured.
He says as he was falling, he was focusing on staying loose. "A lot of the times when you go to fall, if you can relax, you can roll, you can duck. It'll absorb some of the energy of the fall... The distance that I fell and depending on how I landed that could have been the end of it right there."
After being flown by Aero Med to the hospital, he spent 3 days in intensive care and another 3 in the hospital. Incredibly, he was able to come home within ten days of the accident.
Jackson punctured his spleen, broke several ribs, dislocated his elbow and broke his ankle, among other injuries.
Sharon Furlong is a friend of Jackson's. She was also one of the first responders on the scene. "You have to forget the fact that it's your friend. And think about what medical condition he's in right now. Alan was in severe distress. He was having difficulty breathing. He said it felt like his sternum was moving with each breath. He needed help and he needed more than we could offer him."
Furlong's calling his speedy recovery nothing short of miraculous. "Falling to the ground is one thing but falling onto an object, especially a pile of wood, spinal injuries could have paralyzed him. Head injuries could have killed him."
Another long time friend, Jess Harwood organized several crews of workers to show up to help Jackson complete his barn. "To make a couple of phone calls and say "Hey Alan needs some help. You can see, all these guys feel the same way."
Jackson says he understands the accident could have been worse. He believes a higher power wants him alive. "I would say God has a plan for me yet. And I haven't accomplished it. He brought me back here to make sure I accomplish it. Everything I do is service oriented, to do for others, it isn't for my gain."
Alan Jackson has been a volunteer firefighter with the Clarksville Department for more than a decade. He also owns the Clarksville Tire and Auto Repair store, and runs an excavating company in the area.
Just ten days ago, Jackson was working on his pole barn, the future site of storage for his excavating equipment, when he fell from the rafters. He fell 22 feet, 7 inches and was seriously injured.
He says as he was falling, he was focusing on staying loose. "A lot of the times when you go to fall, if you can relax, you can roll, you can duck. It'll absorb some of the energy of the fall... The distance that I fell and depending on how I landed that could have been the end of it right there."
After being flown by Aero Med to the hospital, he spent 3 days in intensive care and another 3 in the hospital. Incredibly, he was able to come home within ten days of the accident.
Jackson punctured his spleen, broke several ribs, dislocated his elbow and broke his ankle, among other injuries.
Sharon Furlong is a friend of Jackson's. She was also one of the first responders on the scene. "You have to forget the fact that it's your friend. And think about what medical condition he's in right now. Alan was in severe distress. He was having difficulty breathing. He said it felt like his sternum was moving with each breath. He needed help and he needed more than we could offer him."
Furlong's calling his speedy recovery nothing short of miraculous. "Falling to the ground is one thing but falling onto an object, especially a pile of wood, spinal injuries could have paralyzed him. Head injuries could have killed him."
Another long time friend, Jess Harwood organized several crews of workers to show up to help Jackson complete his barn. "To make a couple of phone calls and say "Hey Alan needs some help. You can see, all these guys feel the same way."
Jackson says he understands the accident could have been worse. He believes a higher power wants him alive. "I would say God has a plan for me yet. And I haven't accomplished it. He brought me back here to make sure I accomplish it. Everything I do is service oriented, to do for others, it isn't for my gain."
