Editor,

I never imagined it would happen to me, but on Feb. 13, I was the one carried unconscious out of the woods on a backboard. With a concussion and a broken wrist, I am healing well, but that was as close to a serious accident as I ever want. I will ride my sweet horse again, but though I am a good and experienced rider, if I had not been wearing a helmet, I would be dead.

Honestly, I remember very little. I remember Jim Towers, who was running in the woods, helping. Some wonderful person called my husband, who was there quickly and that made me so much more comfortable. I am told that the South Whidbey emergency medical technicians found us by triangulating to my good friend (and now my hero) Chris Whitney’s phone.

I remember being handled with gentle and professional care. I felt so held and safe. The care I received on the scene, in the ambulance, at Whidbey General Hospital, and in ambulance number two to Harborview, was excellent. The most wonderful paramedics and EMTs kept me informed, kept me warm, washed mud out of my eye, and were truly kind.

I cannot say too much good about my top notch crew.

Thank you, again and again.

CHRISTINE NYBURG EPSTEIN

Langley