Oct. 23, 2009 --
5:00pm. basketball semifinals of our company's annual sportsfest. our green team is scheduled to play against the yellow team in the second game. i was chatting with some friends outside the gym when I saw an approaching MT clad in his yellow uniform; he's a medium body frame, about 25 years old and 5'9" tall. we greet one another, shake hands, and both of us wish good luck for the upcoming game. MT is from the other department, but we have had the chance to get to know each other during practice games.
6:00pm. third quarter of the game. yellow team is ahead by a few points. MT throws from a closer range, the ball didn't go in; he's making an offensive rebound when green team's ace player appears from behind in an attempt to gain possession of the ball. MT and the ace player collide in mid-air and they both fell on the floor. The ace player is able to stand up but MT lay still on the floor; although he's able to talk, he feels numbness and tingling sensation of his entire body. the ERUF (Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation) arrived later, and MT is slowly transferred in a stretcher and brought to the hospital. the game is resumed and green team wins.
Oct 24 - the tragic accident has spread like wildfire. MT suffers a traumatic spinal cord injury. his spine is severely damaged by the hard impact of the ace player's elbow. a drug has to be injected into the spinal canal every hour for the first 24 hours upon his admission. per injection costs P2,000 and that same day, his family has exhausted all its resources. everyone in the company donates to sustain his medical expenses.
Oct 28 - we pay a visit to the hospital. the sight of MT not able to move his entire body is unspeakably pitiable. his nerve roots that carry signals to and from the brain have been damaged causing loss of sensation from neck downward. though he's able to talk, he lays in a steady position and the occasional blink of his eyes is the only sign of his conscious state. MT is overwhelmed with our presence and he jests having yellow team won if he wasn't injured. MT remains positive for his recovery, and is looking forward to still be able to watch the finals.
Nov 13 - MT can hardly breathe and is brought to the ICU. a tube is being lodged in his throat to extricate the phlegm and some unwanted liquids; a catheter was inserted into his bladder to allow the urine to drain; a dextrose was infused as his only source of water and carbohydrate; and MT contracted pneumonia complication due to a long period of steadily lying on his back.
Nov 20 - MT is taken out from the ICU. his family has completely used up the company's financial assistance. a fund raising is held anew--the total contribution reached almost P200,000 and it was immediately turned over to MT's family. everyone is concerned and wanted him to survive..
Dec 12 - MT's condition worsens. He can't breathe through his own anymore and is now aided by an oxygen. the doctor finally admits that MT has a mere 20% chance to survive and only a miracle can save him. we hardly believe--MT's accident happened in the amateur tournament where body contact pales in comparison with the PBA's nerve-wracking game; MT's spinal cord injury is similar to that of Eugene Tejada, yet the latter's still alive and is gradually recuperating.
December 25 - i am spending Christmas with my family. the occasion allowed me to contemplate on the importance of love, sharing, and spirituality; it also led to a realization how seldom i did appreciate the many blessings received; while everyone is happily celebrating the special day, i receive a text message about MT's death!
The devastating news refuse to sink into my consciousness. How blatantly unfair to end the life of a healthy and young man in such a tragic way! How ironic that an event to promote fitness is the incidental cause for his demise! I want to point an accusing finger at anyone: I blame the hospital's incompetent physicians and inadequate facilities; I blame the ace player's flying elbow; I blame MT's attendance, he could have been absent that fateful day; and I blame even his own family's financial scarcity.
Every single moment leading to the tragedy is being etched in my memory: the glimpse of a smile
when we shake hands, his fadeaway shot and offensive rebound, his and the ace player's collision in mid-air, his fall, and the very words that he murmurs while lying on the floor--"Please tell my mother I'm sorry and thanks for everything."
*(some details were changed to protect the interest of the involved parties)
