4.14: Jed Ortmeyer spending time the right way
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The Sharks Jed Ortmeyer has lived through adversity, and now he's doing his part to give back.
Transcript
But back to shark bite on the last road trip of the season from Denver Colorado. It was Jose Sharks forward general Myers are skating when he was three years old his hometown of Omaha Nebraska. And he hasn't stopped since but he has been told to. Our very own -- Brazil meets up with -- general -- talked about how hockey journey. Almost came to a screeching halt and how jet is helping another journey gets started. It's a five year veteran of the NH -- probably on the -- It's nothing New York -- Iron but it is a battle away from the rink. He keeps number forty one's three -- line. 2006. As a member of the New York Rangers the Nebraska native discovered. These medical disorder. -- chest pains third for a while I was ready for training camp and so we -- training hard. I just thought maybe had pulled a muscle in my my rib cage and it got worse -- -- -- almost stab me in the heart -- -- My arms are the only. Can pain in my shoulder and at first I was like they had a heart attack but I was unity on the right side and into good shape -- about that happen. And I just kind of ignored it. You know stop working out as hard and physical. Rask. After choosing to ignore the symptoms this time around it was a Sunday afternoon on the golf course. Fort Meyer was forced to confront. Reality. It was tough for me to keep up with my group. Each hole. In the from the greens the tee box just to walk in. I shortness of breath and have a tough time carrying my bag. And I went home took him out which. Don't normally do. And I slept probably twelve hours and I woke up and was like wow. You know something's not right that's when I am about to mr. Coffman told. At that point insert you know onerous and called my mom woke her up and made here. Better than mourners and -- -- being in and was able to look at all of our trainer on. Into the hospital and it's -- time. I find it. The doctors found that blood clots that travel it was -- developed into pulmonary embolism two Jets loans. Treated and released from the hospital that night hockey and life went on as normal for -- until two years later. After his third knee surgery another plot developed. This time extra precautions. Were taken in -- of. We inserted filters and Zumaya. Abdominal area. That would catch any clubs or to break off. And get to my harder -- my mom's Brian obviously there. You know as another safety net in the -- -- and so when the pads just as an extra. Safety. To make sure that that filter doesn't take him number one shots -- -- popular real hard track -- couldn't. Just play said and you know cause that. So there to be similar to a club where can get into my Carter my lungs. -- also began working with blood specialists and went through several tests to discover which blood bettors would work best so that he could continue playing hockey. What's his condition. -- -- Here's an opportunity to play in the season because it's instant blood thinner. I've taken every day excellent shot form. Installment and it's. He usually -- a twelve hours a -- so. When -- active in his practice today -- your your -- confident and your muscles that are working here not as as much risk. You know having -- because it was moving and going hits in down times so after practice from. You know while moving around and I even take that shot probably around like 5:6 o'clock. Let me name. And now be safe in the night the morning and then night I'm up again and skating and working out. Thanks to several breakthroughs in medical advancements -- considers himself lucky to continue an NHL career arc recently on the road in Vancouver the winner was more than happy. To share his experiences with the young man who amazingly shares or Meyer's condition. About a month ago like my my mom sent me an article about -- just saying like how just kinda wanted medically has been something out this that are about. That's cool that's exactly what I've done that. Policy institute greater extent that it's still pretty similar you know. I was always told by -- back implied -- have done and here that you can't agree like a pretty you know kind of exciting for me this. There's still hope for. You're never going to get shot that's for most of them developing talent it's like 9% of herself. That's one thing you can do it is to prevent it just makes you have to protect him like play. The doctors have told me that no experience especially for me right now obviously obviously if I didn't think that sent them don't immediately know they are. I think it'll pop that -- it. You know Santo get around but never thought that they need to. You didn't face up here body lean. Keep going you like John. Cover every couple days to figure out their dosage and and they know exactly where what Rangers had a. I'm thinking the same path he took you know he played junior. Went to college and definitely. Inspirational feel well enough. Just kind of tells you it never quit never give up. Nothing else that I can help you try and now allow guys to continue their dream. Guinea pig. Get some information from the doctors so they can. More information to make better. Educated decisions. It was a -- In doing a painful and challenging road. -- has paved the way for the few other young hockey players and athletes who were unfortunately bound to share his situation. Using his experiences or Meyer hopes to be an ambassador to the solution. Even after his playing days are over. There's anything that can happen and I get out of my situation maybe I can pass along and then held tremendous amounts of other kids from going through it and help them plan all along. Why you love hockey players for jet or -- It's his love of the game that keeps him plane it's his love of the game that -- -- reach out -- to reach out to try to help somebody else that's why hockey players. The best.



















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