Nev Schulman is thanking the universe and his doctors after he broke his neck in an accident last Monday when his bike was involved in a collision with a truck.
The 39-year-old Catfish host shared the news of his near-death experience in an Instagram post on Sunday, explaining that the horrifying accident came one day after a lovely family outing.
“I went fishing with my family on Sunday. It was incredible, my son’s idea. One of those days that just work,” Schulman wrote in the caption. “We found an available boat (thank you captain ben!) and caught all kinds of fish, most of which we threw back because they were too cute. Especially the puffer. It was magical. A day full of love and wonder in the way only calm days in nature with family can be.”
“Monday was not a day like that. Monday was a day where I learned what ‘before the accident’ really means. And Monday gave weight to just how lucky I was to have Sunday,” he continued. “It’s true what they say – life can change in an instant.”
According to the TV personality and documentarian, he was on his way to pick up his 2-year-old son, Cy, from school when he was struck by a truck. Among the many pictures posted, one was a screenshot of a message from the school to Schulman’s wife, Laura Perlongo, asking when someone was going to pick up Cy because they were late.
“I never made it to pick up my son from school on the bike. In fact in some ways, I’m glad I didn’t. I was alone on impact. Me and the truck. And then I guess the pavement. I was alone and unconscious. And then conscious,” he recalled. “Maybe I was fine (I wasn’t). Maybe I can still do my long run on Thursday (I couldn’t).”
“I broke my neck. C5 and C6 to be exact. Stable fractures. I’m not paralyzed,” Schulman wrote, explaining that doctors were worried for a moment about him being able to use his hands, but his body recovered, and they expect a full recovery in time.
“It’s hard to feel sorry for myself when I hear from the doctors about how many people with similar injuries will never walk again,” he wrote. “I’m lucky to be here, alive, standing and hugging my family, projected to make a full recovery. And I’m really starting to understand the meaning of gratitude. For the big and little things before the accident, and now everything moving forward.”
Schulman wrapped up his post with a message for anyone who might not be spending enough time with the people that matter in their lives.
“We hadn’t planned on fishing last Sunday and my instinct was to say no to scramble-planning a day trip,” he said. “But looking back a week later, I’m so glad I said yes.”
The photos in the slideshow post include several shots of Schulman in his hospital bed with a neck brace. In one photo, he’s joined in bed by his wife. Schulman and Perlongo — who tied the knot in July 2017 — also share 7-year-old daughter Cleo and 5-year-old son Beau.
The post also included some x-rays showing the extent of Schulman’s neck injuries and a photo of the massive scar left from the emergency procedures on his neck.
There were a few clips in the post as well, including one of Schulman taking his first steps out of his bed with some help from the medical staff and a clip showing the cracked helmet he was wearing when the crash occurred.
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