Talmage was born on Nov. 11, 1976. Do you know why this day was special? It was Veteran's Day of the Bicentennial year of our country's independence. Besides being born on a special day, Talmage was a special kid. He was a gutsy 5-year-old who liked to ride his big wheel down the sidewalk by taking off the seat, kneeling on the big wheel and pushing with his foot. That way he could go faster. We called him "a bull in a china cupboard."
We were sledding at Sugar House Park, Dec. 31, 1981. Talmage wanted to take the Glad-a-Boggan down the hill himself. Mom begged him to let her go with him.
Grandma pleaded with him to let her go with him. Talmage said, "no." He had to go by himself. Mom watched him start down the hill. His plastic runnerless sled headed for the railing post, the one kids used to pull themselves up the hill. Kawham!! He was going about 50-70 mph when his head hit the post. Mom gave the baby to grandma and ran down the hill. Talmage was bleeding from his nose, mouth and someplace else, maybe the back of his head. Someone called an ambulance. A lady led a prayer circle and shortly after, an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints blessed Talmage that he would remain alive until the doctors could help him.
The doctor's didn't give much hope at the hospital. They removed the left side of his skull to allow for swelling of the brain. After 10 days, the doctors took him out of a drug-induced coma. He was paralyzed on the right side and had lost his speech. His head was swollen or sunken depending on how the shunt was working.
The doctors and nurses called him "the miracle child."
It is this gutsy little boy (I call him little because he is 26 years old and is 4 feet and 8 inches tall) who defeated the odds and survived that accident, who writes this book of poetry. This young man walks with a crutch and uses a wheelchair.
He not only writes poetry, but he has been on a mission to Tempe, Arizona. He attended Salt Lake Community College Skill Center with studies in Medical Records.
In this horrific accident, the left side of his brain was damaged. Today, Talmage has developed the right side of his brain, which is the creative side. Therefore, he enjoys writing poetry and has deep spiritual experiences and thoughts. I hope you appreciate the talents of this young man.
