[I wrote the following email after my serious horse accident in May 2007.  In many ways this experience signifies what Sunrider is really about.] 

Dear Sunrider Business Leader,

As you have heard, last week I had a serious horse accident.  The fact that I am alive today is a combination of God's miraculous intervention and the heroic efforts of my 15-year old son Jared.  Let me share my experience.

On the evening of May 14^th, Jared and I decided to go on another of our many horse rides in the river bottoms.  It was a beautiful, pleasant affair.  We rode down through the river with Jared leading us up out to the northern bank.  My horse followed Jared, but took a slightly different course that put her on a different angle going up a muddy bank.  It seemed no different than it has been a thousand times before ... until she started sliding around.  Instantly it went from pleasant to struggling to keep her feet underneath her.

This is when, as a horseman, you have to choose to stay, bail off ... and if you bail off, which direction would be safe.  I chose to bail, but instantly found myself in front and beneath the horse's struggles to stay up.  She was unsuccessful and as I hit the water I could see her coming down on top of me.  I heard my back and leg break in a big way from the horse kicking just before I went under the water.  The horse, of course, fell on top of me and was stuck so she couldn't get up.  In this condition horses go nuts and mine was no different and she began to thrash around with more enthusiasm than those trying to solve the problem would care to deal with.

Meanwhile, while under the horse I could see light, the water and bubbles going by.  First I wondered if the horse could get off me before I needed more air, but getting air didn't seem to be of much concern.  Secondly, I wondered if deathbed repentance was really as ineffective as the scriptures say it is and decided it probably wasn't the time or place to test such things out.

The only other thing I can say is that the time I spent under that horse was without doubt one of the most spiritual and life changing events I have ever had.

Top Side

Up on top, Jared watched my horse go down in the river.  He jumped off his horse and looking at my horse thrashing around in the water thought he could see my knee sticking out from under my horse.  As an experienced horseman I can say that one of the most dangerous circumstances you can be in with a horse is with them thrashing around on their side in deeper water.  It only takes a second to go from being part of the solution to being part of the problem, all with potentially deadly outcomes.

Without hesitation, Jared jumped into the river next to the horse's thrashing legs, got the horse by its head, and here is where the miracle starts.   A 125 lb. young man bulldogged a 1000 lb. horse over its back from one side to another while the saddle was still on its back.  To my knowledge it is physically impossible to roll a horse over with a large roping saddle on its back, but Jared did it.  God spared my life by helping my son lift that horse over an impossible situation.

When the horse came off me I was able to surface and breathe.  The fall actually fractured 5 lumbar and burst one of them, it completely broke my femur in one place and shattered the rest of it, and it busted all my right ribs in numerous places causing my lung cavity to fill with blood.

Although I weighed way over 200 lbs soaking wet, Jared pulled me up the river and onto the bank, leaving my broken leg in the water, which the doctor says was a good thing.

It took Jared about 30-40 minutes to get the emergency medical personnel there to help me.  From there I was taken to the hospital where I received excellent medical attention.  The surgery on my back and leg were successful and they anticipate a full recovery.

Here is what I'm thankful for ...

• For a God who still stretches forth his finger to allow a miracle to happen.
• For a son with sufficient faith that God can work through him.  And that Jared could keep such a cool head in difficult situations.  If I ever need someone to cover my back, he will definitely be high on my list.
• For the qualified emergency and medical professionals who made saving my life even possible.
• For the outpouring of help from our neighbors to see us through this difficult time.
• For hundreds of emails and cards that I have received from Sunriders and your concern for my recovery.  Your love and concern is overwhelming to me.
• For Sunrider and the fact that I know that I'm getting the best nutrition possible into my body.
• For Sunrider for its financial security.  I will undoubtedly have major medical bills and not be able to work much for possibly up to a year ... and I have no financial concerns because Sunrider's financial system works.  My commission checks will keep coming in until I am able to get back on my feet and go back to work.

Many have asked what they can do for my family.  I would have to say that it would be to fearlessly take the message of regeneration, good health, and good lifestyle to the world. As I lay on the bottom of that river, realizing that I was only a breath away from taking the step over the line to death, it made me realize how little I have done to help share the goodness Sunrider has to offer.  Please don't miss a chance to do this.

We love you as a family, your friendship, and your association.  May it continue for many years.

Sincerely,

Paul Jensen

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