Thanks From the Lang Family

By Ali Bohn

I had literally just returned from doing my interview with Zacc Tuari when I arrived back at the office where James Lang and his parents, Norm and Trish, were waiting out the front.

Rather ironic that Zacc had agreed to do his interview for the purpose of reaching out to the Lang family, and now here they are. The truth is that when I left a short time earlier, I had seen the Langs in town and rang Lloyd to ask if he could approach them for a comment regarding the fundraising efforts for “We’re Here for Langy,” as they were just around the corner. The last thing I expected was to have the opportunity to interview the family, but here they are and to say I appreciate them taking any time out of their very busy lives to talk to me would be a huge understatement.

Before we get started, I tell James and his parents that I’m not here to ask details of his accident, nor do I think it appropriate to hear details of what he’s been through. I am very quick to learn that someone such as James Lang does not have any comprehension of negativity or pondering over the past. The only direction James sees through his eyes is forwards, he is not about to waste his time with what ifs or anger and frustration. But according to Trish and Norm, this is just the way James had always been, and it runs in the family. Trish explains –

“One thing about James is that he never complains, he just takes it in his stride. But he’s always been that way. We’re positive people and I think we just work with what we’ve got. You make a positive decision today and hope it’s a good one for the future.”

James is an open book, and assures me that it does not phase him to talk about the accident but I decline the offer as I am sure he has told the story so many times. 

“I know things happen for a reason,” he says, “I know I won’t be able to do things as I did before but more doors will open. I have plenty of time.”

At just 19 years old, James has the wisdom of a much older man. His matter-of-fact attitude and acceptance of his current situation is testament to his strong upbringing and good country morals of respect, kindness and gratitude. He says that when the accident occurred, he was putting all his energy into reassuring his mates who were with him as it unfolded. 

“I was pretty calm, I think. I didn’t want everyone to worry, so I was just trying to help get everyone sorted. The sun was in my eyes while I was laying there and I asked my mate if he could please get my sunnies for me. I just kept telling them ‘I’m okay,’ I didn’t want them to panic.”

Trish goes on –

“In fact, Ali, when he was in the air ambulance, he asked the officer if he could wear his headset, and he said, ‘I’m really sorry for this and thank you so much for getting me to Melbourne for urgent treatment so quickly,’ to the other officers. That’s just what he’s like, always thinking of others even though he was in such danger.”

Trish’s face is filled with utter pride.

James thrives on knowledge and is never afraid of asking plenty of questions of the specialists who are assisting him in this new journey of his life. To James, knowledge is power, and this is what has been such a driving force from the moment he arrived at hospital. 

“Jordan, James’ older brother, and I were driving to Melbourne to be with him and of course he got there by ambulance before we did. He signed his own consent to operate forms after he asked the doctors to explain the entire procedure to him. He didn’t hesitate, even when they said, ‘once we do this operation, it will mean you will never be able to walk again.’ The operation was massive and took more than five hours of pinning, plating and reconstructing,” Trish reflects.

Jordan and his partner, Maddison, have been by James’ side since the accident with both love and professional advice, visiting each weekend. 

James says that the behaviour of those around him played a huge part in the beginning of his recovery and still does.

“There were lots of hugs, which was nice, but I didn’t like the tears or for anyone being sad. I was most concerned about my mates who were really shaken up, but I just keep saying ‘no tears’. This is my new life; I am still James. I just remember to listen to what the doctors say, accept the situation and to be the best I can. Rehabilitation isn’t like a holiday resort, it’s like bootcamp. We are encouraged to do everything for ourselves and to maintain independence. I have no scars or bruising from the accident, just the scar from the actual operation where I had 35 staples in my spinal wound. I accept that I will not walk again, but there is so much I can do, just watch me! I was told I wouldn’t be out of hospital/rehabilitation for between five and seven months, but I’ve told the doctors that I would like to be out of rehabilitation before April 10, which will work just nicely being right before my birthday! Not only am I determined to get through this for myself, but I am driven by the community and its belief in me. I will be finishing rehab and coming home before you know it. I had started my third-year apprenticeship with Brian and Tracey Goble Plumbing, and I want to get back into that. Brian and Tracey have been amazing with all they have done, and I really appreciate that, along with the ‘We’re here for Langy’ committee for organising fundraising events and the Koondrook Development Committee for its ongoing support. I’d planned on going back to playing footy this year but that won’t be happening now. I’ll have plenty of things to keep me busy though.”

Something that James and his family would like to make a point of mentioning is the importance of good riding gear, which they believe helped save his life. His specialists have stated this saved him from brain damage or losing his life, Trish explains.

“It’s worth paying that bit extra for the best safety gear as we had done. James was wearing a MIPS 6D helmet which is a unique design to help better protect the brain from injury. My advice to any motorcyclists would be not to get on the bike unless you can afford the very best, correctly fitted helmet and safety gear.”

For now, James is focused on perfecting his care, building strength through weight training and mental health and preparing for this new chapter for when he gets home, and by all accounts he is miles ahead of the game.

“Right now, I’m in the same position I would expect to be in seven months down the track so that’s really good. I’d just like to take this opportunity once again to thank the entire community for its support and wishes. It has been amazing and I will continue to show you what I can do.”

There is no doubt about you, James. With your positivity, your charm, your outlook, there is a special place in this world for people such as yourself and big things lay ahead for you – watch this space.

A special thank you to James, Trish and Norm Lang for putting aside the time to call in for a chat.

I ask James what he thought initially when he heard about the support from back home.

“At first I was seeing the support on Facebook and as that got bigger and bigger I couldn’t believe it. But it wasn’t until coming back for this short visit that I realised just how big it had got. It’s overwhelming for our family and we really can’t thank everyone enough.”

James’ mates had organised a small gathering of 20 people at the Barham Hotel, and as Norm puts it “thanks to the bush telegraph,” within moments, that grew to at least 100 well wishers who wanted to come and see ‘Langy’ for themselves, unable to believe he was allowed out on a visit just weeks out from his accident.  

“Everyone was like, ‘Here’s Langy!’ We were really overwhelmed, we cried we were so touched. Seeing the support when you come back home is definitely motivating,” James says with sincerity.

6D Helmets is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of brain protection. 6D was founded in 2011 by Bob Weber and Robert Reisinger with the single goal of developing a superior performing off-road motorcycle helmet that would successfully reduce the transfer of angular acceleration energy to the brain during crash impacts. Omni-Directional Suspension™ is the patented technology solution the company developed and brought to market under the “6D Helmets” brand name. The ODS™ technology is a unique and proprietary impact management solution that significantly reduces angular acceleration energy and low-threshold impact energy transfer to the brain during crash impacts, reducing the likelihood of injury when compared to helmets with traditional EPS liner systems. Today 6D offers helmets in three specific categories including off-road motorcycle, youth motorcycle, and Downhill/BMX cycling. Additional motorcycle and bicycle helmets are currently in development. Learn more at 6Dhelmets.com 

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