Recovery Gallery

Below is the link to the “Nick Fener Playlist” on YouTube. I’m adding more videos all the time, as I have hours and hours of footage to get to. Please Like them, Share them, and subscribe if you feel like it! Many thanks!

Click here to go to Nick’s YouTube Playlist!

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Below is Nick’s story told in a random ordering of pictures taken since May 20, 2011, the day he got hurt. It’s a work in progress, and I’ll be adding more as time goes on.
Currently I’ve included pictures from the first two months after Nick’s accident. There are some rather graphic photos in this gallery, so be warned.

Saying goodbye to two of Nicks favorite nurses – Denise and Karen. They made ALL the difference in our stay there.

Fun visit from Nicks cousins. We took them to race go karts. Dec 2011

A super funny poster from our fabulous co-workers at Skydive Perris. June 2, 2011

We took a series of “parting pictures” to celebrate his last day at the hospital. We were so excited about the possibilities that a rehab facility could bring. June 15, 2011

Nick showing his stumps to his cousins for the first time. Hard to stomach for the girls. Dec 2011

Back at the ICU with an infection. That was a rough few days for us. June 27, 2011

Soaking in the experience of our first night back at home after 2+ months in the hospital. Good friends are like family.

Adi visited a few times, and hung out to watch Nick do therapy. July 7, 2011

As usual, Nick entertains kids in one way or another. At the Nocita house August 2012

Just a few days before the amputations, Bart and Kim came to visit, but had no idea. June 5, 2011

Nick and Mom, just a few days after losing his legs. We were all so rattled back then. June 15, 2011

Here’s Nick getting on his hands and knees for the very first time in therapy at Ballard. He did 3 hours everyday. July 7, 2011

Our lucky star, Jenn Nootbaar, came to stock the trailer for me, and say hello to Nick. May 31, 2011

A typical sighting in the Fener home. Dogs are everywhere!

The shoe from his accident. The force of his fall was so great, that his shin bones went right through the shoe material. No wonder he lost his legs. June 25, 2011

First attempt at the hand cycle. He could only go for a few minutes. See how his legs are straight? He had to wear those braces all the time. Very uncomfortable. June 21, 2011

They had him awake for a while on the day after his accident. That’s when we knew his arms and brain still worked, but he was very, very sedated and confused. May 21, 2011

Saying goodbye to Nick’s feet, forever. June 8, 2011

Zach goofing around only seconds before falling and almost crashing into Nick’s wheelchair. That would not have gone over well. June 8, 2011

I would spend almost all day in this position with Nick, whispering positive words in his ears, rubbing and kissing his head. Even in a coma, his brain could absorb the love. May 21, 2011

They used the ball to get him balancing on his knees. July 13, 2011

Fener and our angel Mrs. Nootbaar standing tall. Jan 2012

During Nick’s first “therapy pass” to leave the rehab hospital, we went to lunch at a nearby Thai restaurant with Dan. July 9, 2011

We bought a few dozen foot shaped cookies for all the Ballard staff. An easy and obvious laugh! July 15, 2011

Scientific method for determining ones height. Important stuff for a double amputee.

He just had his legs cut off the day before this picture was taken. It hadn’t sunk in yet. Maybe it still hasn’t. June 10, 2011

Experimental Podiatal Foot Implant gone wrong. Either that, or messing around with the Avadikians. June 26, 2011

Welcome home BBQ for Nick, the night we got home from the hospital. Back brace and leg bandages.

The evening of his amputations. He was in intolerable, excruciating pain. June 9, 2011

Nick was learning how to roll over on his own. July 12, 2011

He had tubes everywhere, open wounds, and a cervical collar. The early days were very scary. May 21, 2011

The last bit of skin they were unable to close, even after a handful of surgeries. His compound fractures were really severe. Had he kept his foot, this would have caused him problems for months and months. June 6, 2011

In the ICU, feeling awful with an infection. June 27, 2011

Nick and an obviously unimpressed Tiernan. Jan 2012

They came every Wednesday and took a liking to Fener. One even did a report for Nick about spinal cord injury and sexual function. Hence, my inspiration for this photo.

First week at Project Walk. Feb 2012

After a month of standing over him, I finally joined him. What an amazing experience. June 24, 2011

Prom picture with the Avadikians. June 25, 2011

Nick had a wound on his back for months, from the fall. On the last dressing change at Ballard, his nurse left us a note. July 15, 2011

Nick’s in-house doc at Ballard made an AFF skydive years ago with our boss Moley. Small world! June 21, 2011

Nick and my Dad, just watching the day go by. Nick could sit up for about 20 minutes at this point. June 5, 2011

Wow, look how skinny he got, despite me fighting like hell to feed him constantly. July 6, 2011

Day 1 at Ballard. We got him in the chair with just two people instead of 4. Nick was NOT happy as it was way too much strain on him. June 16, 2011

A closer look at Nick’s swollen, broken and paralyzed lower legs. They drilled the holes in Nick’s bones to keep his feet from flopping. May 29, 2011

The extent of Nick’s physical therapy prior to his amputations was to get into a wheelchair and sit there for 20 minutes. June 5, 2011

Part of “Feners Final Foot Photo Session.” They decided on a Tuesday to do the amputations on that Thursday. Not a lot of time to pay tribute, but we made it happen! June 8, 2011

First swim post accident, Sept 2011. Wearing socks to protect the freshly healed wounds from the sun.

Imagine our surprise when we discovered this little beauty, just 6 days after his amputations. They immediately drained the fluid and it healed fine. June 15, 2011

Fluffy hair contest with Doug. We never stopped laughing when they were here. June 26, 2011

Somehow Nick was thrilled to finally see his shoes, a month after his accident. The bones went right through them. June 25, 2011

Lindsay and Nick enjoying a weekend mini-vaca in Hermosa Beach. Nov 2011

Kim visiting Nick in the ICU. He never knew she was there. May 25, 2011

A few days before coming home, we visited the house for a “test run” to see if the place was handicap friendly. We really didn’t want to leave. July 11, 2011

Nicks good buddy Paul came to visit with his son PJ. July 4, 2011

A fun visit with great friends, Wilo and Shannon. July 10, 2011

Mom was by Nick’s side everyday. May 21, 2011

Well, he doesn’t have those tattoos anymore. This was right after they were finally able to close the wounds on his left foot. June 4, 2011

Nick with two of his biggest supporters… Shazza and MIA! Jan 2012

Yuri had an accident with similar spine injuries, just 35 days before Nick. Their mutual ER nurse brought Yuri downstairs for a visit. May 31, 2011

Paul visited early and often. This was the day after Nick woke up, one week after accident. He was so sick. May 27, 2011

Xena dog doesn’t like the metal ankles… so why does she insist on walking down the parallel bars hallway when Nick is using them? Nov 2011

Our gym has a chair lift for the pool, making it possible for Nick to swim while waiting for swim legs. Oct 2011

Nick’s view from his bed at Ballard. And it just continued to grow and grow. June 16, 2011

Last minute, throw-together Birthday evening with a few friends… many of whom were past roommates at the Fener house. Jan 2012

Awesome visit from Darron and Chelsea. Dec 2011

Our first lunch outing with family. My Dad and Nick’s Mom took us out. July 10, 2011

Paul came to visit skinny ass Nick at Ballard. Look at the missing hair between his nipples. June 24, 2011

Skinny Nick during an occupational therapy session at Ballard. July 4, 2011

The best therapy ever! MIA dog came and visited several times. June 23, 2011

A hectic moment in Nick’s room. Nick had low energy, but lots of friends and love. May 31, 2011

Just a little tailgate party outside the trailer in the Ballard parking lot, with Ma and Pa Fener. Day 1 at Ballard. June 16, 2011

After several surgeries, they still hadn’t completely closed his open wounds. He had no feeling or movement in his feet. May 29, 2011

During Nick’s 13 hour spine surgery, my two bestest buds Paul and Keith kept me company. This was a toast to Fener. May 22, 2011

Fener on the move. He took an ambulance from the county hospital to Ballard. June 15, 2011

The nightly wound dressing change at Ballard. The Avadikians were very helpful. June 25, 2011

He hallucinated for a few days because he was on the wrong drugs. Here he is trying to pass an imaginary test to get out of the hospital. May 28, 2011

Blue came to see us at Ballard, and brought us some yummy MonaVie gels. July 9, 2011

One of our first glimpses at Nick’s back wound. It was healing nicely. June 5, 2011

A very unique and thoughtful care package, to me, from our friend Heather in Canada. Thank you Heather! July 3, 2011

This was the second time he was able to get onto his belly, and it felt SO good! July 6, 2011

Rico presenting Nick with a 7 foot paper mache penis, signed by all. July 17, 2011

He stopped wearing this shirt after learning that something was wrong with his Xaos canopy and that the manufacturer tried to hide it. Ignorance sure was bliss. June 20, 2011

On a “therapy pass” we left Ballard and met friends for dinner. Joe, Linda, Mike, Shazza, and Hannah

During therapy, Adi came to visit, and we used his car to learn how to do safe transfers. He used a transfer board to scoot across into and out of the car. July 7, 2011

At Project Walk, Nick’s lead trainer Bri working on getting his knees straightened out. Feb 2012

Dan came to be with us when Nick got out of surgery. It was unbelievably painful to see him like this. May 22, 2011

Nick giving a heart felt, teary-eyed, impromptu Thank You speech at the Feet For Fener event at Skydive Perris. Sept 2011

Bret and Penny made the drive out to San Bernardino to see us. July 5, 2011

Nick and father-in-law Frank. Dad always comes around to see us. Nov 2011

Off the hallucination drugs, Nick called Vinnie first, and he came right away. May 31, 2011

Andy came to visit a few times, and of course, was fascinated by the nubs. July 12, 2011

Those feet were heavy, painful and paralyzed. Once he decided to cut them off, he’s never looked back. Amputating was a very brave decision that he had to fight for. June 8, 2011.

Long time friend Ryan, loving on the nubs.

For three days after waking up, Nick was very particular about the manner in which we held his hands. Seth and Nancy were doing a great job. May 27, 2011

Shannon, Wilo and Lindsay in front of the wall of fame at Ballard. Photo by Fener. July 10, 2011

Pafart bought Nick a game board set, and here we are, playing Chinese Checkers with Paul. July 3, 2011

This was right after his 13 hour spine surgery. He was very swollen all over. May 22, 2011

Zach testing Nick’s arm strength in the PCU. They moved him out of the ICU that day, but hadn’t taken him off the hallucination drugs yet. May 29, 2011

They closed his abdomen with a bunch of staples during his spine surgery. Still in a coma, his entire body was swollen. May 25, 2011

Nick’s 34th Bday dinner at Mom’s house, with Seth and Pauly. Jan 2012

BC came to visit. The look on his face says, “See, Nick’s a fucking bad ass.” June 1, 2011

Hangin with friends. August 2012

RC car is excellent “real life” therapy. Just bending like this helps strengthen Nick’s back. Feb 2012

Panoramic of his room decor at the Riverside County hospital. Strangers would stop in all the time to meet Nick because they could feel the love radiating into the hallway. June 4, 2011

I just can’t put this into words. June 27, 2011

Saying goodbye to our very good friend Benji, who flew across the planet to help and be with us for a week. Sept 2011

Re-learning to cross his legs while sitting. The therapy at Ballard took Nick through every little motion that we normally take for granted. July 11, 2011

Nick was so nauseated the day after he woke up. Reality hadn’t quite hit him yet, despite being emotional all day as well. May 27, 2011

Our morning and night routine consisted of me bringing him his toiletries in bed. June 4, 2011

Hailing from Canada, two of my favorite skydiving students Andy and Scotty MeatBomb came to visit. June 17, 2011

They looked better than we had imagined, but the X-rays told a different story. May 21, 2011

Nick holding up a newspaper article about himself in The Californian. Sept 2011

Moo, Jared and Bandito came to visit. Managing Nick’s social calendar was nearly a full time job for me. July 9, 2011

Nick with Seth and Zach. Dec 2011

Doing some light weight lifting at Ballard. June 20, 2011

Nootbaar brought the boys over to say hello. Not sure they knew he was having his feet cut off later that afternoon. We didn’t tell anyone but his Mom until after it was done. What a weird, weird day that was. June 9, 2011

Sleeping Beauties – Zach and Nick. July 1, 2011

Does this really need a caption? Bart and Kim paused for a moment from helping me pack to pose for a photo.

We don’t know this man… but I’m sure he’s wanted in at least 15 states. Nick and Chopiak Jan 2012

Hi Mom! June 8, 2011

His first shower was truly a magical moment. He was singing loudly! Despite the huge smile, he was in a lot of pain in that uncomfortable chair. June 23, 2011

Hannah came with her extra car to let me borrow because mine was having troubles. Thanks Han! July 10, 2011

Lori brought us lunch! Thank you! June 5, 2011

Arni was one of Nicks favorite nurses at Ballard.

Nick enjoying the scenery at Hermosa Beach. Nov 2011

Nick had a private room at Ballard, so we’d just shut the door when the dogs came. Thanks Mike and Shazza! June 23, 2011

Darron and Fener fooling around… just a few moments before Darron measured Nick at a whopping 4’8″ Dec 2011

It got worse before it got better. It wasn’t long past this point that he started the hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Childs pose stretch at Project Walk, working to get Nick’s knees to bend further. Feb 2012

The night we came home from the hospital… clowning around and relaxing in the living room with friends… grateful to be home again.

He just got fitted with this brand new shell. To celebrate, we went outside to hang with the hospital cat. July 6, 2011

Pa wrote this. We all had our ways of coping and trying to lighten the atmosphere. May 23, 2011

Carson and Parker came and we hung out outside. This was the day we discovered his shoes from the accident. June 25, 2011

Nancy made every effort to keep Nick comfy and happy at Ballard. One of our faves!

Nootbaar praying with Nick in the ICU. May 25, 2011

Missing Eli, and grateful to still be alive. July 11, 2011

Nick just began eating again, so Cassie brought us lunch. May 31, 2011

Best Birthday surprise ever… with wise words to boot. Anonymous. Jan 2012

Dan and Pa were there everyday. May 26, 2011

The first unveiling of his stumps, three days after surgery. We had to be very, very careful and gentle with his legs at all times. No bumping the bed. They were so sensitive and painful. June 12, 2011

Sorry honey, had to share this. Only a month after his accident, he looked pretty ragged. He was skinny, his eyebrows were missing and I trimmed him a killer stache. June 30, 2011

Seth Fener in mid demolition of our master shower. Some friends got together and outfitted our house to be handicap accessible. June 2011

Asian tourists. Avadikians, Nootbaars, Kindsvaters… and Fener. Sept 2011

Keith came to see Nick just before he left to go home. May 25, 2011

Trying his new legs on for the very first time at Hanger. Oct 2011, 5 months post injury

Blue investigating the remnants of Nick’s calf tattoo. There’s half of a half-naked lady back there! Jan 2012

Doing core work with John at Ballard. At this stage he couldn’t sit up yet without using his hands for support. July 12, 2011

Enjoying a bit of sun outside the hospital with the MIA dog. June 7, 2011

They hacked off his tattoo, and wrapped it around the bottom of his stump. The red mark is the remnants of a giant fracture blister. June 20, 2011

The night we came home from spending 2+ months in the hospital. A warm welcoming with a few of our closest friends.

Nick’s view in the ICU. Minimal decorations, until he moved rooms. Thanks for the pictures Mom. May 29, 2011

A cold beer never tasted so good! He rarely drinks at all anymore. July 11, 2011

They removed his spleen the night of the accident, but didn’t close up his abdomen for two more days. May 21, 2011

Two weeks after the amputations, the stitches were still in, and the fracture blister was finally healed. Doug appreciates this. June 25, 2011

Day 11, Nick sits up for the first time. It took the help of 5 people, but he did it. May 31, 2011

Moo, Andy and Jared were with us for a wound dressing change. July 9, 2011

Celebrating Fathers Day with the boys. Dan, their Dad Zach, my Dad Frank, Seth and Nick. Seth flew his RC helicopter for us and put on quite a show. June 19, 2011

Mom was taking care of MIA for us, and would sometimes bring her to the hospital for some doggy therapy. July 2, 2011

For days after his amputations, he just needed to sleep. This was two days post surgery. June 11, 2011

3 days after the amputations, his stumps looked like anvils. The amount of swelling was incredible. June 12, 2011

Kenneth visited me a lot, but this was the first time he could make it up to Nick. June 4, 2011

Celebrating the big move out of the hospital and into rehab. Nick didn’t think he was ready, but it was time to go. June 15, 2011

Nick’s nasty dread lock. Maybe I should have combed his hair just a little bit sooner. June 8, 2011

My dad loves Nick like his own son. He visited as much as possible. May 29, 2011

Lindsay and Brian the evening of Nick’s accident. That smile is proof that I had no idea what I was in store for. May 20, 2011

Nicks second home: the X-ray table. June 24, 2011

A fever and infection brings us back to the ER a month after his accident. This set back was no fun. June 27, 2011

Doug came to help us while Nick was in the ICU. May 25, 2011

Nick’s personal therapy, his RC truck. While annoying in rainy season, the hill our house sits on serves as a great place to jump his truck. Feb 2012

The days were long. It was hard to NOT get silly. July 6, 2011

For days after he was coherent again, he wanted to talk more than he actually could. His voice was weak and he lost his breath just talking. With Brian and Dan BC. June 1, 2011

Hanging out in the shade, uncomfortable as hell. Nick could only be in his chair for short periods of time back then. June 19, 2011

He felt as bad as he looks here during his first time in the wheelchair. It took 4 people and all his might to make it happen. June 1, 2011

Xena dog missed him so much. So glad Ballard let dogs visit. June 18, 2011

I’ll take any opportunity for a photo, even if he’s in a coma. May 25, 2011

Each day during his physical therapy, 4 of us would put him in a wheelchair and let him sit in the sun. June 5, 2011