Climbing w/the one legged Frenchman

[Tom Dunlap]

Last Saturday a group of people gathered in Jamaica Pond Park in Boston to reintroduce a climber to the treetops. This was the result of many weeks of covert planning and plenty of surprises.

About two years ago Alban was on his motorcycle when a driver crossed the center line and ran into him. He was thrown 165 feet landing three feet from a fire hydrant. His left leg was torn off in the colision.

When he came out of the four day coma he proposed to Rebecca. They were married later. Alban vowed to walk down the aisle which he did. This determination lead to his climbing again months later.

This story is long, complicated and very rewarding. In time the story will be written and published in Tree Care Industry magazine. There is one more part that needs to happen before we can write the whole story.

A few months ago Alban mentioned to Rebecca that he wanted to climb trees again. That got Rebecca thinking...could this happen? She made a post on Arboristsite asking for help. Within a day or so I had found out and Rebecca and I started emailing. In a short time we had a plan cooking. Rebecca wanted to have a surprise birthday present for Alban. While Alban and Rebecca were watching TV she made this card for him.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Alban got the card at 12:02 am on his birthday. He immediately started getting in shape by doing pushups. Another sign of his determination.

Along the way Rebecca and I worked with New Tribe to make up an adaptive harness for Alban. The harness worked very well but needs a few minor changes to be perfect.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

After getting Alban into a RADS system and showing him how to work his way up the rope I stayed next to him for the first part of his climb. After he got up a ways into the tree Greg Mosman took over as a coach. This allowed me to work with Rebecca on the other side of the tree. She was also in a RADS system.

In no time at all the two of them were in the top of the tree.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

While A&R were climbing our group was joined by some other tree climbers. Greg Mosman arranged permission for us to climb in the wonderful beech tree. Andrew Joslin aka Moss on TB, was there in the tree too.

 

[inztrees]

Great stuf Tom

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Here's the tshirts that Rebecca made up for us.

We all got more than just the 'lousy tshirt' on Saturday.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Alban got a nap in the afternoon.

As a result of meeting Greg during this process Alban also got a job with the Boston Parks department. Rebecca has said that this birthday present was one that has continued to give.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Our original plan was to have Tim Walsh join us for the climb. Tim wasn't able to be there on Saturday. He'll 'earn' his lousy tshirt in a couple of weeks when Version II of Alban's harness comes back from New Tribe.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

The tree is large enough for all of the climbers to have space.

Alban
Greg
Tom
Andrew
Alec

 

[KnotSmart]

Awesome!

Great job guys!

 

[moss]

Here a couple more photos. It was great to meet and climb with Tom and incredible to see Alban do such a good job. The brotherhood (and sisterhood) of climbers really came through for Alban.

Alban going up (for the third time)

Tom, Alban and Greg

More photos

-moss

 

[treesandsurf]

That is so cool you guys, my hats off to everyone involved. Makes me feel like such a dork wining about 'havting' to get up and go to work, and climb trees. What an amazing thing for everybody.

jp

 

[RebeccaM]

Hi Tom and everyone else out there!

We had a FANTASTIC day and want to thank Tom, Andrew Joslin, Greg Mosman, and even Tim Walsh, who couldn't make it, but who was cheering us on from afar. And Viola at New Tribe, of course. The real bummer about this is that it's over. The build-up was so intense, I could barely keep from grinning 24/7 in anticipation. And the day certainly did not disappoint.

It is really difficult to describe what it was like for me to see Alban climb -- and with such ease! All I can I say is that it's another huge step in the process of getting back in control of our lives. And I won't even try to describe what it was like for him. He's going to have to come on here himself for that...

Enjoy the pictures!

 

[stevebullman]

cool rebecca, i remember your original post at arborist site, glad it all happened! and well done for getting up there with him.
tom, good of you and everyone else involved to take time out of your schedules to do this

 

[OTGBOSTON]

Wow, when do you guys sleep?

This was definately the best climbing experience I have ever had. I learned some things, shared some things,and laughed a lot.

I get what you're saying about being let down now that it's over Rebecca. Not to worry, Andrew and I climb often, and there are plenty of rec climbing events 'round here (I'm hearing rumblings of a possible 'daks climb in the fall).

I'll get my pics up tonight.

Still smiling.............

G

 

[jerseygirl]

Hey Rebecca,

what a wonderful experience for all - thanks for sharing it with us. The team that did this, I am sure, worked a lot of hours to have it all happen. They did it for the love of the climb, they all know what Alban was missing, now that you were also up in the tree, maybe you also know.

What won't we do for those that we care for?

Best to you and Alban,

Tom, Thanks for sharing also, one can only imagine all the time it took to put this together.

Moss, the pictures are great,

God, the tree was wonderful.

jz

 

[frans]

What a great thing to do! It looks to me like he can get around just fine. If he needs a job I will start him out at half pay for a couple of weeks until he shows me he can show up on time and is able to bring a lunch every day

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
What a great thing to do! It looks to me like he can get around just fine. If he needs a job I will start him out at half pay for a couple of weeks until he shows me he can show up on time and is able to bring a lunch every day

[/ QUOTE ]

Alban's already been hired Not a climbing job but related to his area of expertise in landscape design and trees in general. Nevertheless the climbing will continue.
-moss

 

[frans]

Damm,
the good ones always get hired quickly.

I am very impressed by his 'can do' attitude. Thanks for posting this topic everyone!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Frans,

Half pay? What...because he only has one leg!?

After seeing how Alban moved around on Saturday I know that it would only be a little while before he would be out pruning a number of climbers that I had work for me over the years. While we were in the tree I had him limbwalk out and knock down a couple of pieces of deadwood in the beech. No problem...