Some cool Home Ladders images:
Ladder 231
Image by Billy V
Ladder 231 extended to the roof of a home at a recent attic fire.
Ladder Nemesis
Image by Trevor Dennis
This is my first upload since Christmas, and the content of the image is the reason why. The day after Boxing Day I fell from the top of this ladder while trimming the large macrocarper hedge at the back or our garden – a fall of four metres, landing flat on my back. Thankfully I landed on the hedge trimmings which broke my fall to some extent, and clear of the loppers which I was using, and which were the cause of the fall.
Stupid stupid stupid!!! I was reaching for the thick branch marked top left of frame, with the loppers extended, and using both hands to hold them. The weight of the loppers and the far stretch over balanced me, and suddenly I was falling. It happened so quickly – there was absolutely no time to react or grab anything, and I was holding the loppers anyway.
I was knocked out for a few moments, but it could only have been a short time as I was still winded when I realised where I was. But I was completely unable to move for about ten minutes. My nephew Sam was indoors, but unlikely to drag himself away from the computer game he was playing. Chris was at work – at the hospital!
So almost in a panic, I got up and got inside, but for some reason did not tell Sam about the fall. He later went out. I left messages for Chris, and when she found them said I needed to get to the hospital – I insisted that I could drive, but not the brightest decision I’d ever made.
By the time I got there I was in a world of pain. Chris was Duty Manager and senior nursing officer there at the time, so I got looked after OK, but did not want to make a fuss, and underplayed it all. They took some x-rays and gave me some pain killers, and sent me home. I already had strong DHC pain killers for a chronic back problem.
I’ve raced motor cycles, and rock climbed, and had some hairy crashes in my time, but this was something else. When the pain from the contusions settled down after several days, I was still left with more pain than I could handle, so went back to the hospital.
I still messed up though. Arriving at triage I was almost in tears, but had been laying flat on my back in the treatment room for twenty minutes by the time the doctor saw me, and was feeling much better – so despite a LOAD more x-rays, only got a few more slightly stronger pain killers, and sent home again. Chris was not on duty.
Three days later I couldn’t take it any longer and went to my doctor, and finally convinced him I was in trouble. I now have several packets of pills all starting with Oxy… and am managing to cope. I have a wedding to photograph on Saturday, and as it is a freebee, I can’t pass it on. A couple of buddies are going to come and assist though. I did some pre-wedding shots on Wednesday, and may put a couple up.
Bottom line is that this sort of thing leaves you feeling vulnerable. The hospital said they get a ‘lot of business from ladders’. Other folk have told me about a brother paralysed after falling from a ladder, and several other tales of woe. I was lucky, but will think twice before taking liberties.
Apologies to a couple of buddies who I have had to delay favours for, but although I am still a long way from feeling comfortable, I hope to be able to function from this weekend. I couldn’t even sit in front of the computer for more than five minutes prior to getting the strong pain killers.
With ladder (99/365)
Image by dpgreen
Our dear friends gave us a Bunnings voucher as a house-warming gift (perfect!) so we bought our 1st ladder! Thanks Team 
File under: Handyhappy. Most excellent wife J. took the photo which is why the lighting & composition is well done.