VL - Issue 8 - May 2013

Open Doors by Dr. Ron Toole
On June 22, 2012 I almost bled to death. By the
grace of God I lived!
At 72 years old, I’m a competition slalom skier. I
was introduced to the slalom course at age 54 by my
son. I was instantly hooked! I’ve always enjoyed
water skiing, especially competing and pushing myself
to new levels.
Last fall while I was practicing, I miscalculated my
turn and hit a buoy. I fell forward and my left arm
went through the triangle of the ski handle all the
way to my arm pit.
The boat jerked the rope so tightly that the
aluminum tube in the center of the handle bent into
a “V” shape. That “V” grabbed my skin, biceps
muscle, artery, vein, and nerve, and ripped them out
of my arm. They were lost in the lake. All the other
muscles of my upper arm were damaged or torn
apart. The only thing I could see between my
shoulder and my elbow was bone.
When the accident happened, my life jacket kept
my head above water until my ski partner who was
driving could get me onto the transom of the boat.
He beached the boat and went for help.
While I waited for him, I got extremely weak and
was in significant pain. Pretty soon I noticed that
I was getting tunnel vision. In the medical part of my
dental school training, I’d learned that tunnel vision
under these circumstances meant that I was about to
bleed to death.
I knew my only hope was the Lord. I began to
pray, “Lord, if you are ready for me to come ‘home’,
I’m ready to be with you in Heaven today. I know you
will take care of my family.”
My vision started to get worse. So I prayed some
more.
“Lord, if you need me to do something else for
You on the earth, then please send me a sign.”
Instantly, my full vision returned. The pain stopped
and I no longer saw any evidence of further bleeding.
I also felt an incredible comfort and warmth all over
my body. The feeling was unlike anything I have ever
experienced. It was euphoric – unbelievable!
Although no words were ever exchanged, I knew
without a doubt that I was going to live. I felt comfort,
contentment, happiness, and euphoria all at the
same time. How is this possible? Because at that moment
Jesus covered me with His unconditional love.
As I was life-flighted to the hospital, I found peace in
His presence. I found myself closer to God than I had
ever been.
The Bible says in James 4:8, “Come close to God,
and God will come close to you” (NLT). God’s presence
in my life is the reason I am alive today!
It’s been a tough journey,
I have to admit. But I
wouldn’t change a thing.
These open doors and
my newfound closeness
with God makes
everything that I have
been through worth it all.
Within five weeks of the accident, I underwent six
operations including skin grafts and reattaching and
repairing the muscles that remained. The doctors
originally thought I would need 10 to 12 operations.
Through the miracle of God’s intervention in my healing,
and His wonderful influence on my doctor and
his team, I healed quickly – not like a 72 year old
man would normally heal.
My recovery and healing have been miraculous.
After physical therapy and exercise, my muscles and
tendons are all functioning at some level, and still
improving. Praise God!
It’s been a tough journey, I have to admit. But I
wouldn’t change a thing. Prior to my accident, I had
heard Nick Vujicic preach. Nick was born without any
arms and legs. When asked if Jesus would miraculously
restore his arms and legs, would he want Him
to, he answered no.
Because of Nick’s deformities, many doors have
opened for him to share his faith, especially in Africa.
In Africa, deformed babies are often left to die; therefore,
few people have ever seen an adult with one or
more limbs damaged or missing. Due to their curiosity,
hundreds of thousands have come to hear
Nick preach and thousands have professed their faith
in Christ. Nick says he would have never been able
to reach these people but for his deformity.
Dr. Ron Toole lives in Conroe, Texas, with
his wife Sylvia. He is a doctor of dentistry
and currently holds the South Central regional
record in his age group for slalom
skiing. Now retired from orthodontics,
he operates an aerial photography
business with his son. You can view Ron’s
testimonial video at vimeo.com/62723433
or simply scan this code with your
smartphone.
I now understand his statement. Since my accident,
I have had the opportunity to privately share
my faith with many people and encourage them in
their lives. I never would have met these people but
for my accident. I’ve also had the privilege to speak
to over 10,000 people through a video produced by
my church. This video continues to touch lives
through the internet.
These open doors and my newfound closeness
with God makes everything that I have been through
worth it all. Would I like to have my biceps back?
Sure. However, I’m at peace with my life. “Forgetting
what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 3:13). v
www.championsheart.org 27