Things I Also Learned in San Jose

Kim Navarro just posted an incredible blog about our skater called "Things I Learned in San Jose," one that took my breath away - not as much for her incredibly kind words as much as for what it says about skating and skaters.
Skating is a very difficult sport. In all disciplines, competitors work hours, days, months, years to be the best they can be. Some succeed; some fall short of their personal expectations. But without fail, if they stay in this crazy sport long enough they appreciate one another because, after all, we are a strange - and occasionally dysfunctional - family. What I've learned over the years is that skaters at the elite levels truly appreciate one another. The families also learn to appreciate the skills of other skaters. It is something you don't understand until you've been there. It develops over time.

  There is another thing I learned in San Jose, and that is how much support we get.
  If you don't know by now, about a minute into Jeremy's freeskate, my wonderful husband of nearly 24 years had an atrial fibrillation seizure. We were a mere 30 feet away from the ice when it happened (if you look at the stands just to the right when he is in his spin after the 3A, you can see everyone looking up away from the ice). All hell broke loose but literally within seconds we had help. A doctor and two nurses sitting close by were at our side; within a minute the HP Pavilion staff and  Paramedics were there to assist. Fortunately, sport and focus are an amazing thing. Our son was in the zone; he didn't know what happened until after he was off the ice.
  But our skating family was there to assist us. Skaters, coaches, USFS officials, IMG representatives - they all took charge with love and care. They circled the wagons. They broke barriers and rules to get us what we needed. They took care of our family as if we were their own.

  So, things I learned in San Jose: Kim Navarro - do NOT throw away your skates and know that we love you so very much. Yuki Saegusa, in the absence of our agent, we cannot thank you enough for all you and IMG did to assist getting our daughter Gwen down to meet up with Jeremy. David Raith and USFS, there are no words to express how much we love and respect everything you did for us. The medical staff, Paramedics and everyone at O'Connor Hospital, you were literally lifesavers.
  I learned the way to San Jose. The way was heart, determination, soul and a whole lot of caring.

  If I thought Vancouver was an experience I would never forget, believe me it pales by comparison.