Our own silver lining

Dear Editor:As a first time visitor to beautiful Aspen who suffered the misfortune of a nasty skiing accident, I would like to publicly praise the doctors and staff at Aspen Valley Hospital.I was on vacation from England with a group of ex-rugby playing friends and we were skiing at Highlands. In a freak accident, one of my pals collided with me at high speed. I suffered 10 fractured ribs and a punctured lung, and after a night in intensive care, I spent five more days in a general ward. Everyone I came into contact with – from doctors and nursing staff, X ray and ward orderlies to canteen and cleaning staff – was absolutely top class. Nothing was too much trouble, and I have the highest regard for their professionalism in all areas.I have now been discharged and am attending hospital as an outpatient for regular checks until my punctured lung has healed sufficiently for me to be able to fly home. Staff at various hotels where I have stayed during my recovery have also been most helpful. And an English lady who has lived in Aspen for 28 years – a limo driver known to all as Oz – has been a fantastic support, ferrying me around the town and between hospital and doctor surgeries during my recovery.My thanks to all, and as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Through my accident, I have met some wonderful people with whom I shall keep in contact and come back to visit again in Aspen.Stuart JarroldHoxne, Suffolk, England