My letter to Charlie Davies

Charlie Davies is a badass striker for the US Men's National Soccer Team. Dude is awesome. This year has been his breakout year. He is one of the top 2 strikers on our team. His goal celebrations are T.O.-worthy. Just recently he got into a car accident where one person died. He was in surgery for a while, and now will undergo intensive rehab for 6+ months. I found out through his teammate Stu's twitter that supporters could send him an email. I felt I should because I am in a unique position: I have been there before.


Charlie,

My name is Leonardo R. Camargo. I'm from killa Cali - Salinas, California baby! (If you look on the back of a bag of lettuce, it says "Salinas." John Steinbeck is from here, too.)

My prayers are with you and your familia. I also want you to know that I know what you are going through; there is power in knowing you are not alone. I was in a car accident in 2003 that left me paralyzed. therapists are great and there are many cute nurses + hot PTs (DC im sure has a ton). Well i won't go through the sucky details but life is all good, mayn. Every year gets better - and sure that year was shit but damn man every year i meet more wonderful people and (more beautiful women). i'm still stoked on life.

anyway hospitals suck and im starting up a non-profit to make the hospital recovery stay better. im sure u'll have ideas on what you want or wish was there. (im sure they got a tv, but maybe you want to order in some food, or movies, or hear live music). lemme know ur ideas.

hey man hang in there. back in the day my bro gave me the best advice ever. one time back in high school my super hot crush broke up with me, and i was devastated. then my bro walks in, looks at me in the eyes, knows instantly what's up, and says "don't worry about it, kid. just roll with it. there are more fish out in the sea." so ya just hang in there, buddy, there's more to life out there.

In God's Love,
Leonardo

If someone you cared about was in a serious accident and in the hospital, what would you tell them? What is the right thing to say without making things worse?

I figure it's important to acknowledge it ("it sucks"), relate to it ("you're not alone"), show the silver lining ("nurses + PTs are hot"), and give hope ("still stoked on life"). Oh, and it's always best to end with a quote ("just roll with it").