When I write I like to tell a story. I figured today would be a good day to tell yet another awesome story about a Prime Family member. I want to tell you about Dave Lodeesen (Lodey as many of us know him). Back in the middle of February Lodey came down with a pretty serious injury in our facility. He tore his Achilles tendon. We were all pretty blown away, but none more blown away then Lodey. For those who don’t know Lodey, he is an avid amateur golfer. I personally do not know another person who puts the time and dedication in to practice and honing his skill at golf than Lodey. Once the injury was confirmed and the surgery date set, all Lodey wanted to know was how soon would he be back on the golf course. Early predictions were middle to end of May he would begin swinging and easing his was back into the game. Lodey had a different goal in mind.
The first Friday of May every year is the annual Golf for Hope tournament that Lodey and I have played in for the past 5 years in support of the National Brain Tumor Society. It is our big event we use to kick off the golf season and for me to honor my mom. The tourney always means a great deal to us. That became Lodey’s target. He was going to do all he could to get himself in position to be able to play. With the help of a great doc and an awesome physical therapist Lodey was given all the tools he needed to succeed. All he needed was the desire to get better…and let me tell you, he had it!
Surgery was a success and Lodey made it through the ever so boring and painful, first couple weeks of no movement and rest. Once the cast came off and the therapy began, Lodey was a man possessed. What I got to witness next was one man’s desire to beat the numbers and get himself healthy. You would have thought Lodey was prepping for a large Pro athlete contract, but really it was his desire to return to normalcy and of course.. play some golf.
He dedicated himself to his therapy sessions and he was an absolute stickler about his homework. The swelling came down quick and ease of movement and range of motion returned at a quick pace. So quick, he was shocking the doctor and his therapist. It did not surprise me though. We are going on over 20 years of knowing each other and I knew he was going to kick this injury in its ass! Towards the middle of the process, Lodey returned to Prime to begin work on the uninjured side to help keep him balanced and loose. I was blown away at what I saw. His movement, his swelling and his attitude were amazing! Sure enough, Lodey got the all clear to return to golf during the last week of April. He got out and tested the waters and came back with quite a happy outcome. Lodey got himself back to as normal as possible and was able to participate in the Golf tourney (I think we came in 5th..dernit!) Lets also throw out there that one week later we won a tournament!
I wanted to write this blog about Lodey to talk about the consistency of desire. I know its cliched but if you have the desire you can make anything happen. Lodey’s desire for normalcy and a return to the sport he loves were great motivators to make great changes. Consistency was the key that kept the progress happening so quick, but that consistency was driven by desire!
