As some of you may be aware, our music director/conductor Dr Ryan Williams was involved in a horrific car accident just under two weeks ago. Dr Williams was extracted from his terribly mangled car, and taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. He sustained a significant scalp laceration and fracture wrist. We are all very glad and thankful that Ryan is still with us and on the mend after his surgery last Monday night. 

Here's a little excerpt from Ryan's post: 

"On Tuesday morning, I was about 5 mins from arriving at my fabulous new GP Practice in Ningi, when I was involved in a serious car accident at ~100kph. It all happened very fast and I remember very little of what happened beforehand... I definitely lost consciousness for a few minutes - when i did wake up, my head was resting against my airbag, I was bleeding and someone was trying to cut me out of the car. I was taken to the RBWH ED, where they did a fabulous job of looking after me - could not sing their praises enough. Despite the speed of the accident, my injuries were limited to a comminuted right distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation plus a large occipital laceration requiring 13 sutures, whiplash and a few other minor bruises here and there. Mercifully, I was the worst injured - I am told that the other passengers escaped with minor injuries only.

Given what COULD have happened in an accident such as this, it is quite miraculous that no one was seriously hurt. I am grateful to God that I only have a few broken bones; even more so that these will be operated on this coming Monday afternoon (ORIF distal radius). My car is a write off, but it seems to have done a phenomenal job of absorbing the worst of the impact.

At this point, I will likely be off work for a few weeks, but I am incredibly proud to be an Australian - thanks to the exceptional Doctors in the Public Emergency Department and my top Orthpaedic Surgeon. I know that I have and will continue to receive excellent medical care.

My sincerest thanks to those who have already sent me their well-wishes. At difficult times like this, it is heartwarming to know that so many people care.

I will be a little slower than usual for a while, and I have to do my best to be a good patient - something Doctors are notoriously bad at, but the fact that I have my health is more precious to me tonight than it has been in a long time. I am being very well looked after by family and friends, and I want for nothing at this stage. "

Like all unexpected events, this has not only emphasised to all of us how precious and unpredictable Life can be, but how grateful we are for all the wonderful people we have in our lives. QMO&C loves everyone of its family members, and we are very lucky to have Ryan leading us (on the straight and narrow - most of the time!)

Rehearsals are starting for our upcoming concert on 17th April - and although we may have a left-handed conductor for a few weeks, we are sure our concert will be even more magnificent as we celebrate Life with our love for music.