Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group TEESHOE, The 51st. Anniversary

When Fred was brought home rather than going to the hospital, we wondered why the Doctor would do that and Mom gently asked whether Fred should be in the hospital. The young Doctor replied quickly, "because he needs his family around him and very close by for a few days".

He was right. Before he left, he asked some of the neighbour ladies if they could find some hot water bottles so he could get Fred warmer and off the ladies went, up and down streets and came back with 35 hot water bottles which soon were filled with warm water and covered Fred. I remember how difficult it was to return the bottles to the proper houses.

When Fred returned to normal a few days later, I asked him if he was afraid during all what happened. He said no, Dad had told him that he would be OK and so he didn't worry about it.

I was the one who felt so guilty that Fred almost didn't come home. It was my turn to go on the Teeshoe with Dad that evening but since I had lots of homework to do for school, I told Fred that he could go instead of me this time. If he hadn't survived, I can't imagine how it would be to live with that guilt of letting him go.

We were so thankful that Fred did come back and tell us what happened. Otherwise, the lies told by the men on the freighter would have prevailed.

Thanks,
George

I still suggest the kleenex but one box may not make it. The picture I have of those three brave men shaking hands after assuring themselves that they had done all they could for Fred and each knowing that there was little hope they would survive, brings tears every time I think about it.

Thank you so very much for sharing this with us, George. I know I'll never forget it!

What impresses me the most, Pete is that all three of the men were willing to sacrifice their own chances of survival by insuring Fred would make it. Not just our Dad. It was something that Fred has never forgotten and never will.

I have copied some of your messages to Fred and he was so thankful to read them. I may do the same with this thread.

George

George,
I just noticed that my post did not get through last week. We had a bit storm and lost service for two days. I look forward to the challenge stories like this give me when I am faced with "what would I do" situation. The next time I go to Seattle, I want to see you and Dorit, if it works out!

It would be great if you could get it into the Sundance film feastival. I would love to see it. This has brought back alot of memories of when my father was killed. It has inspired me to get in touch with the people that were there when my father was killed to get the whole story. The boy that was there when my father was killed did tell me that the press didn't get the story correct. I told him that I wanted to hear the whole story, but that was 8 years ago, and I have never done it.

That would be great Lon.

Dorrit and I would love to be able to meet with you in Seattle some time in the New Year. Pete has been giving me lessons on how to behave when I first meet Lon. Is it really true that you try and take people's hamburgers right off their plates?

I look forward to it Lon.

George

Hi Steve,

We do have one Film Festival planned for early next year in our provincial capital Victoria. And perhaps another later in the year. As far as we four Teeshoe Kids are concerned, we will do this to give our two ladies, Director Jan and Camera/Editing Mo, a chance to win, competing against their peers.

We four already have what we wanted from the film and everyone in all our families have their own copy of the DVD.

If you proceed with your hope to question this boy, make sure that you are recording it with a video or digital movie camera. It is important when you replay recorded information like this, to be able to look at the person who is talking. And if possible, try and have a witness there during the questioning.

I talked to an older lady 6 years ago and she told me about her two male friends who were fishing the night when the Teeshoe sank. They were supposedly, sitting at the end of the company wharf and saw the whole thing happen. They, she said, saw the men and the boy jump off the tugboat and try to swim to shore.

I asked her why they would be fishing during such a storm with up to 60 and 70 mile per hour winds and torrential rain on the company wharf where fishing on the wharf was not allowed. I also asked her why her friends didn't call for help or try and rescue them or at least, report the accident. And then I told her that her friends were liars because the Teeshoe didn't sink close to the company wharf but rather, two or three miles away. And then I asked her for the names of her friends and she walked away.

I hope that you get to hear the truth.

George

How was your Dad killed? HOw long ago?

My father was killed in 1977 when I had just turned 16 (opps gave away my age). He owned a pharmacy, and was the pharmacist. His store was broken into about once a year, but alway at night while it was closed. This time the store was held up just before closing. He wanted the money and drugs. My father was shot and killed. There were two teenagers working in the store with my dad niether of them was injured. The one teenage boy that was working there lived just down the street, and was two years older than me. He was the one who told me the press did not tell the whole story of what went on during the hold up. Because of this my biggest fear with this AS thing is to die before my kids are grown.

Wow Old George,

It sounds like you and your brother put a lot of work and love into the making of this film of such a tragedy in your lives. I hope you two get the recognition for both you and the families involved in this piece of history. Do you guys have PBS (public broadcasting stations) stations like we do here? These are usually shows like yours and educational shows by the colleges. It would be great part of history if your documentary were to be played on something like this.

Have a good one,

Brent the other George