KPBS Commentaries

I believe that Im a very lucky man. Im lucky to have two sweet children, a wonderful wife, two aging but healthy parents and many great friends. Im lucky to be working for KPBS and resuming my job as host of These Day s with improving health, following a serious traffic accident.

Returning to KPBS has been a gratifying and interesting experience. It follows at least of month of rehab in which I was surrounded by many other people who suffered similar accidents resulting in brain injuries, both major and minor. I had six good weeks there. The only problem with rehabilitation, I find, is it requires you to focus on your own problems. By now, Im tired of thinking about my problems! Cant I start thinking about someone elses problems?

Some of you may know that I was hit by a car two months ago, while cycling to work on Montezuma Road. The accident gave me a concussion, put me in intensive care, tore a lot of flesh from my legs and its prevented me from doing my job since then.

In a way, the accident seemed profoundly unfair to me. After all, part of the reason I rode my bike to work was to do the right thing. It was supposed to be good for my health AND good for the environment, since I was taking a car off the roads. Getting clobbered by a car while riding my bike was the thanks I got for trying to reduce global warming.

Strangely, today I have no memory of the accident. I have no recollection of being hit, lying on the pavement or waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Maybe this is the minds mercy, blocking out distinct memories of pain weve received. In the press, we tend to view repressed memory as a negative thing. Ive learned that, sometimes, its natural and even desirable.

In my case, even the week following the accident is a lost memory. My family has told me fascinating stories about conversations I had with them and with my physicians, in which I was apparently coherent, listening and making sense. For some reason I have no recollection of those discussions.

For the past couple of weeks Ive been very limited in the number of hours Ive been able to work at KPBS. Ive felt a bit like an emeritus member of the These Days staff, since Im been around but Ive had not real ability to affect the show.

But now Im back on the air, returning to tasks Ive had eight years to polish. Its great to be back, though Ill be spending the first part of the return working part-time and not hosting the whole show. Im afraid this experience has reminded me of my humanness and my fragility. Ill be back to normal soon, but for a while Ill still be healing my body and recovering my old energy.

Maybe itll be good for me to view summer as a time of rest, just like it was when I was a kid. This Fall, Im sure Ill be jumping into the job just like I used to. In the meantime, thanks for the welcome back (Ive received a lot of them from listeners) and I hope youll keep on listening.

Tammy Carpowich
June 18, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Welcome back, Tom! We missed you. -----

Bill Kenney
June 19, 2007 at 07:08 PM
This morning I heard your voice for the first time since your accident and your return. It is great to have you back! Best of luck during your recovery and we all look forward to having you back during our morning listening.

Nadine
June 20, 2007 at 12:55 AM
I was so happy to hear you on the radio the other day. Take your time and get a full recovery- don't rush things. If you feel 'off' just call it in. We will wait for you.

Gregory John Duch
June 20, 2007 at 01:22 AM
Tom: Congratulations on your return! You sound the same as you did before your misfortune;-- both in the quality of your vocal characterisitics and your indominatable confident personality, which your voice projects. Yes, after awhile, listening to someone for 8 hours a week, for four or five years, one can get to know that person's nature and characteristics. You are a private person, I know, but it's hard to stay private when you are in the "PUBLIC EAR" of a large city, with your own radio program. Look at big, bad, old Rush; he's become a national institution! Even what prescriptions he takes are grist for public debate. >>>> You are a son of the upper Midwest. Your stoicism and Anglo-Saxon desire for independence of action come through over the radio waves.I see that stiff upper lip all of the time! So, I will not give you any advice, suggestions, etc. Nor will I try to "mother" you; just a sterile, calculating observation, do I offer In a detached, unemotional manner, let me say that you are a significant asset to this community. So put your assets to work again soon!!!! Greg OF THE GASLAMP Duch

George Elwers
June 20, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Welcome back, Tom! I also commute by bicycle, on Montezuma Road. I also was hit by a car on my commute, and have no memory of the accident. I would be dead if I hadn't been wearing a helmet. My accident was 14 years ago, and I've been commuting regularly since. I hope you don't give up on it. I agree it's ironic. One little isolated memory from my hospital stay is talking with the orthopedic surgeon about my damaged knees, and telling him one reason I took up bicycling is that it's good for your knees! Your family needs you and San Diego needs you. Glad you're back!

Ian Miller
June 20, 2007 at 06:36 PM
Welcome back, Tom! You were very missed. The fill-in hosts (mostly Allison) are quite good, but there's no substitute for your truly exceptional hosting talents. I'm also a bike rider with a previous accident though nowhere near your level of seriousness. A car accident can certainly leave a bad taste in your mouth, feeling very vulnerable, but you are absolutely doing the right thing by biking. Don't feel like you were reckless or foolish for being out there. Too many people feel they need a big SUV to keep them "safe" on the roads, but that's the wrong mindset (I liken it to an arms race). You are brave for riding a bike to work, but certainly not foolish. Kudos on your recovery. -Ian

Todd Mason
June 21, 2007 at 07:56 PM
Tom, I am happy to hear that you are recovering and have been given a chance to re-examine life. You mean a great deal to many people judging by those that filled in for you and the love for you they expressed during their segments. So, keep it up Tom, your effect on our world is vital! -Todd

Joe Wainio
June 22, 2007 at 05:20 AM
Hi, Tom -- I'm very glad to hear you on the air again. I also ride my bike to work most days, and am afraid that one day I'll be hit by a car like you were. It sounds like you're recovering well. Maybe you can do a show eventually exploring what the city can do to make bike riding a bit safer. Don't work too hard during your continued recovery. --- Joe

Denise Varner
June 26, 2007 at 03:49 AM
Dearest Tom, I am so glad that you are well and not suffering any long term effects of the accident. I spoke to you on air briefly. I am the Nurse who suffered a memory loss due to a loss of memory after a drug overdose. I also have no memory of the times that I was falling and suffering severe traumatic falls. The loss of memory is the Brain's way of protectecting the emotions and and the body from feeling emotional and physical pain of the traumas suffered. Our lives are a Blessing and I have figured a lot of things out about mine. GOd Bless

Brad
July 05, 2007 at 04:26 PM
Hi Tom, Welcome back. Best wishes as you continue your recovery. Brad

MIGUEL
July 08, 2007 at 10:31 PM
HI TOM, We are very happy that you are back. Well, you had an accident but it was not your fault, you just wanted keep the world safe from pollution and it is an example we should follow, that is the reason you are healing so fast, because you are sensitive to many things that happen around the world. God bless you. And take care. Our best regards from LIMA - PERU

MIGUEL
July 08, 2007 at 10:32 PM
hi, We are very happy that you are back. Well, you had an accident but it was not your fault, you just wanted keep the world safe from pollution and it is an example we should follow, that is the reason you are healing so fast, because you are sensitive to many things that happen around the world. God bless you. And take care. Our best regards from LIMA - PERU

Jean m. Eno
July 31, 2007 at 06:31 PM
Sooooooo happy you are back. My prayers are with you. I tuned in a short time ago - and there you were! Thanks for sharing all the new insights. Jean Eno

Joan Bockman
November 02, 2007 at 06:18 PM
It is great to have you back. I often don't agree with you and rail at the radio but it is nice to have you back in the discussion. Best to you and your family.