Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

It is Monday, January 17, 2005. It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King was a promoter of non-violent social change. Like Dr. King, I believe in servant leadership; I have a dream also. In particular, I want to rescue people from experiencing yard accidents. Yard accidents do not discriminate. They happen to all people regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Each year, there are 100,000 lawn mower accidents and 400,000 outdoor garden-tool-related accidents. It is time for some more social change. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) wants to contribute to this change.

Opera

The Rescue Rick Opera ©

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) has written a very short opera to tell his story and express the pain and emotions associated with his lawn mower accident. The opera is a combination of an opera buffa (comedy) and verismo (real story). In an operatic baritone voice, Rescue Rick (sm) belts out the aria “I Cut Off My Big Toe and Some.” Rescue Rick (sm) is truly a renaissance yardman. The libretto (text) is provided below:

“I Cut Off My Big Toe and Some”

I cut the grass.
I slipped.
I cut off my big toe.
I mulched my foot.
My shoe was mulched to shreds.
My wallet was mulched as well.
I pushed back the skin on the top of my foot.
I was in shock.
I almost lost consciousness.
My foot was a bloody mess.
It hurt.
Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
I yelled Help Help Help with no response.
I became calm and composed.
I ran instinctively to get help.
Rescue Rick was rescued.
Go get my big toe.
Morphine.
Antibiotics.
Surgery.
Recovery.
I have a dream also.
Innovate and create.
Educate and communicate.
Entertain and impact.
Prevent yard accidents.
Think before you cut. It hurts!™

Amputee eWall

Richard, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm), Mudrinich is building a digital Amputee eWall of Fame (tm) - a collection of digital photographs of lawn mower amputees. The purpose of the AmpeWall (tm) is to provide a forum for lawn mower amputees to share their picture story with other amputees as well as educate the general public. Fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, and legs are gone. These voids tell a story of caution to the public and a story of camaraderie and hope for a great life anyways.

Fashion

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) prepares for the fashion runway. I lived in New York City for a decade, and I made some friends in fashion. I have designed the Rescue Rick Fashion Collection™ of fashion products to give people a wardrobe that communicates their concerns for yard safety. I want to strut my stuff on the catwalk as a super hero super model (laugh). I am in the process of trying to get on the fashion list at the upcoming "7th on Sixth / IMG Fashion Week" during the week of February 4-11, 2005 in New York City. With Spring in the air in just a few short months, I view this venue as a critical opportunity to communicate yard safety awareness and leverage this highly covered and promoted media extravaganza. There are about 100,000 lawn mower accidents and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that emergency rooms treat about 400,000 outdoor garden-tool-related accidents in the United States each year. I want to the walk the runway at "7th on Sixth" with hopes to significantly reduce these painstaking statistics and keep people whole and save.

In essence, I want to try a few different approaches in getting the attention of the general public, so they will think twice before they cut the grass. Lawn mower accidents happen in a split-second, often resulting in a life-altering outcome that sometimes includes amputation. I learned this from first-hand experience when I amputated part of my left foot while cutting the grass. Also, I think that there is a real market for grass cut fashion™. I envision millions of people who demand a neat and stylish wardobe to wear while manicuring their lawn. It makes cutting the grass more fun and exciting. Furthermore, the Rescue Rick Fashion Collection™ presents a constant reminder of the importance of adhering to yard safety procedures. I want people think about my altered left foot, so it does not happen to them. Think before you cut. It hurts™.

Also, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) proposes the establishment of the Amputee Fashion Show™, if this has not been done already. The event will showcase clothes and items designed by amputees and modeled by amputees. The Rescue Rick Fashion Collection™ will be featured as well.

Educational Tools

Rescue Rick Educational Tools™

Richard, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm), Mudrinich proposes to develop a new, first-of-its-kind educational Rescue Rick Educational CD-ROM™ to help people learn more about grass cut safety™, leading to the prevention of lawn mower accidents. The Rescue Rick Educational CD-ROM™ will provide in-depth information on grass cut safety collaborated and endorsed by leading professionals in leading amputee, health, insurance, and outdoor power equipment organizations. The goal is to give people convenient and easy-to-understand information about these highly preventable lawn mower and related grass cut equipment accidents. Rescue Rick (sm) encourages health insurance companies to offer reasonable discounts or rebates to individuals and groups that complete the grass cut safety educational CD-ROM. Rescue Rick (sm) suggests that the CD-ROM be made available in both primary and secondary markets where grass cut products are sold and serviced.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) proposes an easy-to-read educational comic book that features Rescue Rick (sm) delivering grass cut safety operating tips and preventive measures. The Rescue Rick Comic Book™ is intended to supplement (not replace) the lawn equipment operator's manual.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) develops the storyboard for a grass cut safety videotape - the Rescue Rick Safety Video™.

Pet Adoption

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) seeks to adopt a faithful sidekick – a three-legged dog amputee who survived a lawn mower accident. The doggy will be called Tripod the Dog (sm). We will work together to promote yard safety. With the addition of Tripod (sm), I want to illustrate that lawn mower accidents impact animals as well. The doggy amputee offers a great vehicle to introduce children and adults alike to the amputee community, plus Tripod (sm) is a main attraction. Furthermore, through a pet adoption, I get to save the life of a pooch that might otherwise be terminated. Tripod (sm) will be a great dog sending a very important message about both amputees and safety. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) seeks assistance from the various pet adoption organizations in helping him locate Tripod the Dog (sm).

Research

I am conducting research on yard safety. Initially, I am focusing my efforts on lawn mower accidents. I had a lawn mower accident about a year ago that resulted in the partial amputation of my left foot. Eventually, I want expand my efforts to include other yard accidents as well. During my preliminary research, I discovered that there are about 100,000 lawn mower accidents and 400,000 garden-tool-related accidents in the United States of America each year. Consequently, I have become an advocate and promoter of yard safety. I have created the character Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) and his sidekick Tripod the Dog (sm) to create awareness regarding yard accidents and to present preventive measures in a fun and informative fashion. I ask for any assistance in gathering more insightful research that will improve and strengthen my yard safety initiative. If you have any research or direction, please share your knowledge. Thank you!

Lawn Mower Ride Across America

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) plans to ride a lawn mower across America as part of a national yard safety rollout campaign. He wants to create awareness with regards to the frequency and severity of lawn mower accidents. Therefore, Rescue Rick (sm) wants to charter a course and grass cut a trail through towns and alongside highways across America from Coast-to-Coast during Spring 2005 with several demonstrations on the ferocious capabilities of lawn mowers as well as presentations on lawn mower safety to prevent lawn mower accidents. I realize that lawn mower manufacturers have made great strides to enhance the safe use of their various outdoor power equipment. Nonetheless, there are still about 100,000 lawn mower and 400,000 garden tool related accidents each year.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) seeks to collaborate with various organizations to educate and participate during this grand expedition. I want to develop some relationships with various organizations including, government, government agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations to literally roll across America promoting grass cut safety. I want to showcase leading experts involved with yard safety, healthcare professionals, and fellow amputees at events stages along the grass cut trail. In addition, I welcome the opportunity to work with various individuals, corporations, and non-profit groups to help with the planning and delivery of this expeditious journey. Furthermore, I recognize the importance to educate people of all ages. I view schools, youth groups, civic clubs, and senior centers as a natural forum to communicate the yard safety message. In particular, I recognize that children and teenagers should learn more about grass cut safety before they come of age to cut the grass. Also, I welcome the professional lawn service and related products community to get involved.

Also, I need mass media to reach as many people as possible to communicate the yard safety message. Therefore, I would like to make a Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) film documentary about this unique expedition to share with the public (smile, say cheese)! Heck, it is time for the yard safety reality television show - adventures of a yard safety crew and its campaign rolling across America - Letterman to Leno! I envision a comedy mixed with the serious message of yard safety, including some neat and interesting cameo appearances. Therefore, I strive to promote yard safety and rescue millions of people from an often times serious injury. Think Big. Dream BIGGER.

Totem Pole

I have created a digital totem pole on my Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man website. It is a vertical stack of digital photographs and clip art that tells my yard accident story in reverse chronological order. I have always been intrigued by the art, the concept, and the origins of the totem pole. I salute Native Americans for a brilliant idea.

Artwork

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (sm) paints with his altered left foot. The Rescue Rick Artwork™ communicates a message of yard safety, in particular grass cut safety™. Rescue Rick (sm) attaches the paintbrush to his partially amputated left foot to fill the void and channel his passion for safety through his foot on to the canvas.

Yard Safety Poetry

Rescue Rick Yard Safety Trilogy

Lawn Manicure (Haiku)
By Richard Mudrinich

Growing grass needs cut,
Mowers mulch blades of grass only
Creating beauty.


Birth of Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (Limerick)
By Richard Mudrinich

There once was a man
Who was a grass-cutting fan.
He cut off his big toe
Screaming oh no!
And hence was born Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man.


Yard Safety Awareness (Rhythmic Poem)
By Richard Mudrinich

Think before you cut. It hurts!
Sometimes even blood spurts.
You go to the emergency room.
You sometimes go to the operating room.

You become dependent on the care of a medical professional.
Sometimes even congressional.
It costs everyone a lot of money.
It is far from funny.

Sometimes you yell ouch
Spending many hours at home on the couch.
After the accident things are not the same.
Life presents you with a new and different game.

Many people want to prevent a yard tragedy.
Many medical professionals work in harmony.
Rescue Rick is here today
So that lawn mower accidents go away.

Think before you cut. It hurts!
Think before you cut. It hurts!