Come Back

**Eddy Martinez** · 09-06-2009 08:42 PM

March 2008 Texas Sizzler. RedBull comes in as one of our contest sponsors. They erect an inflatable Arch. Which collapses on me on my second GS run. It was left unattended and ran out of gas. I ran right in to it at 35 mph at the finish line. I instantly herniate 2 disc in my lower back instantly. REDBULL does not claim or accept responsibility. My choices are the following:
1. My Neuro surgeon wants me to have back surgery and run the risk of paralysis. I can not afford back surgery right now. + being new at work I do not have enough sick time. My wife is terrified of that happening
2. My Neurologist suggest I lose 30 lbs, go to physical therapy, strengthen my core, eat healthy, exercise with the hopes that my lower back will be stronger.

It is time to make that choice. Several reality and talk shows have sent me offers to film my recovery or my weight loss all the way till the day I compete again. I just want to skate again. Competitively. I was never the fastest but man I was having fun. REDBULL I hope your conscience does not bother you. You are not the supporters of X-Treme sports. You are EVIL, many a nights I have laid in bed since my accident, in pain, waking up from the nightmares, depressed. I continue to persevere. Now it is my turn. I will take the BULL by the HORNS. Your Amigo O G Eddy Texas Outlaws. I will start a blog on myspace regarding this issue. You can find me under ogtexasoutlaws At 49 my passion for skateboarding still burns in my soul. The story must be told, Chapter 6: The Return. Weight 228 lbs. Slalom shape: zero. I beleive in myself.

**tedzepplin** · 09-06-2009 09:29 PM

Keep on keepin' on Eddy.
Get well and let's race.

**savage2424** · 09-06-2009 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Eddy Martinez

what Eddy said

EDDY! Man, hope you recover all fine! Can't wait to skate with you again mi amigo, keep us all posted on what happens that's BS I was there and that #### shouldn't have happened. It'll make you feel a little bit better though cause I'm getting a slalom deck! Got a Pavel on it's way and I'm gonna start runnin' cones so maybe I'll beat ya when you slalom again

good luck with everything bud, you've always been a fine gentleman

**Bookworm** · 09-06-2009 11:16 PM

Go eddy!

10oldfolksskatingagain

**Karl Floitgraf** · 09-07-2009 10:28 AM

Eddy the epic stoke factory you got what it takes, i've seen it brother. Keep up the good fight. You keep up the work we'll keep up the faith.

**gorillabiscuits** · 09-07-2009 12:43 PM

You can do ittttt!

**Traveler** · 09-07-2009 12:54 PM

It was clearly Red Bull's fault what happened to Eddy and they should step up and accept their responcibiltly, not the piss and bilge that they have said so far. What about it Red Bull? Do you really support slalom or we just tools for you drink? to be tossed out like trash when we are used up? Jerks!

Eddy you will come back I know that you will. we are here to help you man!

**flannelman** · 09-07-2009 01:20 PM

sorry to hear that Eddy. glad your in good spirits. will be praying for you.

some related stories.

i had a buddy who worked as a guard in San Quieten. he was out running the jog course for the inmates, when he fell and had a very similar injury. he worked there for 18 years, but he had to quit. he had 2 years until he could retire with pay. he then choose to go back to school, so he went off to seminary school in Lubbock Texas. he's now in Michigan Preaching. he chose to loose the weight, work out, and get better himself. its been a few years, but now he is back to his old self. he's much better.

another freak accident. my neighbor about 5 years ago dropped a piece of him mail on his front porch. he bent over to pick it up, and snap. he slipped a few disks out, and could leave the house for a year. he could walk without those whole arm crutches. he couldn't work, and the family lost all their income. his wife went to tech school and got a job. he stayed home and took care of the kids. he then got a home business. they got back on their feet, and now are better off for it. he now can drive and walk

hell my best friend Gabe was joking around and ran out of the room when his ex walked in. he made a bee line to the sliding glass door, and it was locked. his hit it and fell back into a concrete floor. he paralyzed his right side, like a stroke victim. they didn't know is he could regain use. he played 21 different instruments, and was about to go of to college on music scholarship for the tenor saxophone, and bass guitar. he lost his scholarships. he worked and worked, and in 4 months could stand on his own, and played the mandolin in the school spring performance. he changed majors to become a physical therapist so that he can help other people.

my point is, these guys have taken this beating, and been thrown the worst. they took that and made something more of themselves. you can to that to. preserver Eddy.

**mangels** · 09-07-2009 07:37 PM

I know you can do it Eddie, and it will inspire many people along the way.

**Eddy Martinez** · 09-07-2009 10:29 PM

First day of my diet. Eating nutricious food. G2 Gatorade is my favorite sports drink. Boiled egg whites for breakfast. Yummy. Bring it on. My friend Cat is right. DIET is everything. Got a bad bout of sciatica right now, but it will pass. I weigh in on Sunday. Monday I meet with my neurologist. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws.

**Eddy Martinez** · 09-07-2009 10:45 PM

By the way bros anyone wishing to give RedBull a piece of your mind. I say go for it. See they see us as a small part of skateboarding. We do not matter. Your OPINIONS matter. You can reach them at (001) 310 393-4647 or contact them at Red Bull Home :: Red Bull go to the contact section. Let them know you do not approve of their actions. All it takes is a voice. On Silverfishlongboarding we are many. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws.

**heyburt** · 09-07-2009 11:29 PM

Eddy - The social network side of your story needs to be told. I am a disciple. Take care, get well and come back stronger than the Bull. They have nothing over the truth! Your Amigo.

**oldnbroken** · 09-08-2009 12:10 AM

Eddy,
I went for the surgery.
I was truly afraid that it would not come out good but.....
I was in such pain that I had to do it...... thought about how much longer I could go on feeling the way I did........was having thoughts about a quick exit and was getting addicted to pain killers.
Doctor told me that any spills in my future were likely (or very possible) gonna land me in a wheelchair. Since mine was all neck damage there was no way to improve the situation.

My point....... it is possible to have surgery that is successful. My left hand will always be kind of numb and my range of motion is crappy but the pain is reduced about 90% and my left arm is functional. I'm not in the danger I was in either.

Good luck to you, losing weight can only be good no matter how you slice it.
I'm pulling for you Eddy.

**Nacho** · 09-08-2009 03:27 AM

I also went through surgery with 1 of my 2 herniated discs (L4-L5). I can't say I'm fully recovered, it's only been 9 months but definetely my life has improved and I have been able to skate a llittle bit (relaaaxed, veery relaaaxed) and still be able to walk the next day which is not something I could say last year. AND, yeah, lose weight and wake every day at 6AM for 1 hour at the gym. Everyday (but weekends of course). No excuses for that, we must get fit, we must get fit, we must get fit..
Go for it!!!!!

**TexasBomber** · 09-08-2009 03:42 AM

Good luck, Eddy. Just refrain from eating any and all Mexican food. That alone will give anybody a cleaner bill of health. Really hope that RedBull take's some responsibility and does the right thing. That kinda crap tends to show true colors and defines the bottom line, of this company. It really sucks man, stay strong!

**GPymp** · 09-08-2009 05:44 AM

I still remember that day..I stood on the hill looking back towards the finish line.

Eddy, I have reduced my bread intake...lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks.

**Momona Boe** · 09-08-2009 06:29 AM

Best of Luck Eddy!

I went through something not even remotely related, but had to do the diet change and exercise and I'm 25lbs lighter and not out of breath because of it

**TwinTown Skater** · 09-08-2009 06:37 AM

Eddy,

Your focus has served you well over the years, your positive attitude has always been on display her on the 'fish. Those attributes will both help you be successful in this new challenge. Keep the faith, and one day we'll see you back on your board.

Heal quick.

**Mister Surly** · 09-08-2009 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Eddy Martinez

By the way bros anyone wishing to give RedBull a piece of your mind. I say go for it. See they see us as a small part of skateboarding. We do not matter. Your OPINIONS matter. You can reach them at (001) 310 393-4647 or contact them at Red Bull Home :: Red Bull go to the contact section. Let them know you do not approve of their actions. All it takes is a voice. On Silverfishlongboarding we are many. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws.

Red Bull is f--king poison! Eat real food, drink real water and skate your asses off! Good luck Eddy.
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"On June 2, 2009, an April 2009 batch of "Red Bull Cola" drinks imported from Austria were found to contain between 0.1 - 0.3 microgram of cocaine per litre according to Hong Kong officials. Also in Taiwan it has been found that the importer was due to launch a marketing campaign the next day. In Taiwan it is punishable by death, or a life sentence in prison to import such drugs. In Germany 11 out of 16 states have already banned the drinks by 25 May 2009.[21][22][23][24][25] Testing of Red Bull has yielded contradictory results in regards to the cocaine claim by the Taiwanese government.[26] At this point, no further action has been taken on the matter in Taiwan."