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Show 12 " Hilltop Times " July 9, 1992 : v km mplyee igh praise m wmwuw vmmnuJ-- J. ...iwwmww 'ef ?r-- U- I! Happy guy co-wint- er by Frances Kosakowsky ' Hilltop Times staff John Harvey is back at his job after an ordeal that nearly cost him his sight and his life. But after an outpouring of help from friends and family, Harvey will never look at his life . in the same way again. He's happy to be back in the program integration and services unit of the international division of the Aircraft Directorate, and his appreciation of his fame high, especially ily, friends and job is at an donated and since he knows his friends behalf. both leave time and money in his In looking for a way to express his profound gratihe wrote a letter to Maj. Gen. tude to all-tim- rs, Dale W. Thompson Jr., commander, Ogden Air ' Logistics Center. In the letter he said, "Sir, I have a very hard time keeping my eyes cleared when I realize what a phenomenal cadre of friends I have." The letter went on to tell the general that employees from the Aircraft Directorate and other organizations had donated 200 hours of sick leave and more than $400 in cash when they heard how ill he was. When that leave ran out, another 150 hours was donated by his "I understand employees of the General Dynam- ics Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas, donated; and even the international divisions at Wright-Patterso- n AFB, Ohio, made a lighted candle display for my recovery, and hundreds of people have prayed for me," he said in the letter. "I would like to see this letter in the Hilltop Times to tell my friends what an outstanding task they have performed to assist a fellow employee," he said. Harvey's problems came to a peak in February when he started to experience a slow closure of his left eyelid, severe headaches on the left side of his ill' John Harvey has returned to his job battered, but not beaten and he has a renewed appreciation M ! of his and "jf""'''1'""" v-s.- ' , familyfriends m Zfr-- t 1 90 to 95 percent of these tumors were behead, and an inability to do his work. "My mentality him that tumor was didn't realize all of these failures because it hap- nign. More tests indicated that Harvey's where surwrapped around his optic nerve, an area pened so subtly," he said. was also He went to a general practitioner, who diagnosed gery was difficult, and that the tumor the problem as an eye infection and gave him an an- malignant. A neurosurgeon operated on him for 12 hours. For tibiotic. Three weeks later there was no change in to switched the next 11 days he remained in the neuro critical his condition and the medication was care unit of the hospital. During those 11 days, he eye drops. at tasks "I was having problems performing any developed pneumonia in both lungs and ended up and annual of hours all on a respirator for five more days. my work, and I was using up sick leave," he said. He needed therapy to learn to walk again, climb His sleep patterns altered. He could only sleep and develop depth perception. He also resteps until awake laid he 2 and then a.m. from 10 p.m. to quired therapy to handle problems with his memory. it was time to go to work. And, he was falling asleep Due to the fact that the tumor was wrapped at his desk. the optic nerve, only 95 percent of the tumor His wife, knowing this wasn't like him, took the around was removed and Harvey is now undergoing a serbull by the horns and called another doctor. An to deal with as examination showed a swelling behind his left ies of treatments such chemotherapy the remainder. eye. He was referred to a local hospital where he un"The things that have been accomplished are derwent computerized tomography and magnetic tremendous," he said. "It made me want to return resonance imaging tests. The tests showed a brain tumor the size of a to work as soon as possible so that I could be among grapefruit behind his left eye that was pushing his these loving friends. "I love you all for what you did!" he said. brain to the right side of his skull. The doctor told in-dep- th Motorcyclists pose problems for other drivers it is Sleek, speedy, maneuverable and because hard to spot, potentially deadly. Stealth fighter? No, a motorcycle. It's not always easy to see a motorcycle and its rider, according to Matt Barnhardt, of the Ogden Air Logistics Center Safety Office. "Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, so you have to look for them," he said. "The problem is, you usually see what you expect to see and if you're not looking for motorcylists, you may not see them." Smaller motorcycles do tend to blend in with surroundings. They often are hidden from view by glare or obstructed by other vehicles, though most motorcyclists do everything they can to be seen, according to Barnhardt. They ride with their lights on and wear bright colors. "It is also hard to judge the speed of an approaching motorcycle," he said. "If you're not sure there is enough room to make your turn safely, play it safe and wait for the motorcycle to pass." Additionally, the motorcyclists that drivers tend not to see are the less experienced ones. They are riding smaller bikes, and because of their inexperience, they don't always realize that car drivers have a hard time seeing them. Also, they are the riders most likely to make mistakes that put them in danger from other traffic. Barnhardt said one simple way of telling the experience level of a motorcycle rider is to just look at what he or she is wearing. Experienced riders wear bright colors, a helmet, clothing, gloves and boots. These heavy-dut- y Beware of riders wearing shorts, no gloves, no helmet and sandals. Barnhardt said this type of rider may do something dangerous; after all, he has already shown carelessness by riding without the proper equipment. A good tip for drivers, Barnhardt says, is once you have seen a motorcycle, you should prepare for moves the rider may take that could put you both in jeopardy. The experienced motorcyclist will ride in a variety of lane positions, the safety official said. Riders may change lanes to avoid something that can be a hazard to all traffic such as a pothole or to avoid hazards only to the motorcycle such as bridge gratings, wet leaves, railroad tracks, cobblestones or ruts. "As with other traffic and probably more so, drivers have to anticipate what motorcyclists are going to do and allow them room to do it," Barnhardt said. Be especially cautious when passing a motorcycle, he explained. "Try not to cut back ahead of the cycle too soon. Not only is your vehicle a hazard, but the wake your vehicle leaves in the air can cause the rider to have control problems," Barn- hardt said. Another good guideline to remember is the rule. When a driver is behind another vehigap becle, there should be at least a tween the back of the vehicle in front and the front end of the vehicle behind. Drivers also need to be aware of the blind spot. "Drivers need to not only check their mirrors, but look over their shoulders and make sure the blind area you don't see in the mirror is clear," he two-seco- nd two-secon- d riders are less likely to do anything to place themselves and other motorists in danger. said. 11 A less experienced rider is usually wearing but rememSleek, speedy and maneuverable darker colors and may not have, the proper safety driven are safely and given gear on. Not only is such a rider harder to see, he ber, unless motorcycles can be a time may not react properly when forced into a danger- respect by other motorists, they bomb ticking away. ous situation. - , . |