[trisham]

Johnson’s personal life suffered as well, when his 13-month-old son, Ryan, drowned in a hot tub in 1992. At age 40, his marriage ended in divorce, and he was bankrupt and living in his class A motorhome when he mounted an improbable comeback bid for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The comeback ended abruptly on March 22, 2001, when Johnson crashed during a training run prior to the downhill race of the 2001 U.S. Alpine Championships, held at The Big Mountain near Whitefish, Montana.[28] He sustained serious injury to the left side of his brain, nearly bit off his tongue, and was comatose for three weeks.[29]

In 2010, Johnson lived in Zigzag, near Mount Hood, and remained brain-damaged and in need of constant care, mostly from his mother. He became slightly more functional, though his speech and memory were permanently impaired.[30][31]

Later in 2010 Johnson, who had suffered a series of mini-strokes over the course of the previous ten years, fell victim to a massive stroke and was moved to a long-term care facility in Gresham, Oregon. Due to the stroke, Johnson lost the ability to sit up unassisted and could no longer use his right hand. He also lost sight in his left eye and further lost the ability to speak above a whisper. He also suffered great pain when swallowing, which made feeding him difficult.[32]

In June 2013, Johnson contracted an infection that nearly took his life. He was placed on life support while doctors worked to fight the infection. Johnson elected in July to remove himself from life support and refuse further treatment.[33] He said that the next time something like this happens, his wishes were to be left alone so he can die.[citation needed] As of February, 2014, after a return to long-term care, he was free of infection, able to move one side of his body, eat and smoke with assistance, and communicate using a letter board.[34] However, later again Johnson experienced worsening health.

Johnson died on January 21, 2016, at the care facility in Gresham.[35] He was 55.

Source: Wikipedia

RIP

[Talisker]

] As of February, 2014, after a return to long-term care, he was free of infection, able to move one side of his body, eat and smoke with assistance, and communicate using a letter board.[34] However, later again Johnson experienced worsening health. Johnson died on January 21, 2016, at the care facility in Gresham.[35] He was 55.

Smoke? After all those injuries to his brain? He wanted to die.

[Nifster]

A sad story

[Defiant]

RIP, Bill Johnson. How I wanted to be you in 1984— so fearless. Sad way for a wild bronco to go out.