THE GRIM REAPER

by Tim Campbell

On January 23rd I was on the starting line at the Hare Scramble #6, which was sponsored by Palm Beach Truck and Trail in Okeechobee, FL. It was a nice cool morning, a little damp, but otherwise perfect weather for a Hare Scramble Race. I had a good start man holding my bike; he had started me several times before, helping me get a good start every time. I was told it worked that day, too. I had gotten the hole shot! I was a little way down the trail, I don’t know how far down, when I started ghost riding, unconscious. This was because the Grim Reaper had once again found his way into my chest and was attacking my heart.

The first time he tried to do this to me was two years ago at the same track. I was running 5th that day when I started breathing strange, and I saw a small black spot at first; then I saw another bigger one. I found myself laying on the track, dreaming that I was taking my boat out to the inlet. Another rider stopped and woke me up. I went to see a track official who showed me to the closest ambulance. I had them check me out. They ran a mobile EKG. They told me my heart was in rapid defibrillation. So, as soon as possible, I went to see a cardiologist and had a cardiovascular ablation done. When I had this done, I was told that I would have to stop drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and change my diet. I stopped drinking alcohol and was working on my diet, but I did not stop smoking cigarettes. Despite the advice of my doctors, and encouragement from all the close people in my life including my wife, my employer, my close racing friends, my daughter’s former Green Team teammate, and my dive partner, I did not stop smoking.

What I did not realize at the time was that every cigarette I smoked was slowly opening the door for the Reaper to get back inside my chest this last time, giving him full access to my heart. Thankfully, FTR has Donniy and his crew of EMS professionals. They went to work immediately on me beating and shocking

the Reaper out of my chest. Two and a half days, later I woke up in state of confusion, not remembering anything that had happened. I did not remember my good start in the race, my ghost ride, the ambulance ride, or the helicopter flight. The only thing I remember is waking up in the Intensive Care Unit at Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach. I was told about my experience with the Reaper. The medical professionals at the hospital told me that if I were anywhere else other than at the FTR race with highly trained EMTs close by then my chances of seeing my friends and family again would have been very slim.

Over the years of racing FTR I have seen, first-hand, the crew of EMTs work on other racers. I always had a great deal of respect for them, but now that this happened to me, it has further deepened my respect for them. I am grateful for Donny and the “Reaper Removal Crew”. I, as well as family, friends, and employees, thank you for giving me a second chance at life.

Tim Campbell Silver Master B # 328