his chest cavity — a byproduct of his aorta surgery. His rehabilitation pro- cess was long, and it would be several months before Richardson could re- turn to skating. For someone who was used to skating several days a week, it was frustrating. His local skating community felt the
loss as well. Richardson is an active member of the Atlanta Figure Skating Club. He is not only an ice dancer, but serves as a board member and officer for the club. He received a great deal of well-wishes and support from other skaters in the area. “I learned a lot about my value in
the skating community during this time,” Richardson said. “You don’t know what impact you’re making until you get this kind of response.” His ice dance partner, Kathy She- hee, has seen firsthand how Richard- son’s passion for skating has pushed him to keep going. “When we skate and I get frus-
John Richardson:
By Kama Korvela Stigall First came a bad fall. Then a dam-
‘Skating is what keeps me alive’ Richardson, who skated several
aged aorta, followed by a tough re- habilitation. And finally, a mandatory break from skating. But regardless of the hurdles, nothing could keep John Richardson from getting back on the ice, and back to the sport he so dearly loves. Richardson, an Atlanta-based
adult skater and U.S. Figure Skating announcer, has dealt with physical setbacks in recent years. In December 2011, Richardson was
working on an installation project late at night with two friends when he fell. “As a skater, my reaction was to
roll up and cover my head to prevent a serious injury,” he explained. “I landed on my left side, specifically on my hip and shoulder. I lay there for about five minutes, but amazingly, I was able to get up, climb back on the scaffold and finish the installation.”
38 APRIL 2017
days a week and participated in a va- riety of fitness activities, was able to walk away relatively unscathed. “The doctor was amazed,” Rich-
ardson said. “He asked what I did (for exercise) and I told him, ‘I’m a figure skater.’ He said I had excellent skeletal strength, and that skating had given me a skeleton close to 20 years younger in strength than my age at the time (64).” However, 15 months later, in March
2013, the aftereffects of the fall emerged. Richardson was on his way to Pilates class when he thought he suffered a heart attack. It turned out to be a malfunctioning valve. He was diagnosed with a dissected ascending aorta, which in most cases is fatal. “The attending physician told me I should have been dead,” Richardson said. “With this type of condition, there is a 3 to 5 percent survival rate.” He remained in the hospital for 17 days, due to fluid accumulating inside
trated, John always says to me, ‘If this was easy, everyone could do it,’” Shehee said. “Clearly, he sees that the value in our accomplishments consists of the process, of the journey with all the difficulties and the joy. I think John approaches life in the same way. Each day is an adventure, as he says, to be savored and enjoyed and used to hone our talents.” Today, Richardson is perfecting his
craft, skating five days a week for 90 minutes each day. “Generally speaking, my skating
skills are above the level they were be- fore the surgery,” he said. Shehee has seen a change in his
everyday outlook as well. “John has always embraced life,”
she said. “However, since his surgery and looking at mortality straight in the eye, the appreciation of life and living it to the fullest has intensified.” Richardson’s past health issues
proved to be “a reaffirmation of the value in living.” “I have a better understanding of
the value of skating, and the value of this community more,” he explained. And he is very clear on what the sport means to him — in short, it has given him life. “Skating, in a literal and figurative
sense, is what keeps me alive.” To learn more about the Get Up cam- paign, visit:
http://www.wegetup.com/.
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