The Jake Speed Fund
Recently, a legendary Polie; Jake Speed was injured while working in Greenland. Jake is deeply connected to the Antarctic community and though I know him only in passing there’s no escaping the legend that surrounds him. His injuries are a reminder that most of the problems we have to deal with in this environment are truly luxury problems. Quite frankly it’s entertaining to kvetch about running out of Frosty Boy or a snoring roommate, but the reality is that disaster can strike at any moment and when it does, the consequences can be cataclysmic. Kids, this is why we should always take the threat of bad weather VERY seriously:
The rest of this was completely ripped from http://www.southpolestation.com – but I don’t reckon anyone will mind 
|
MEDIA ALERT! Jake was interviewed last week by the folks from the TVNZ program “Closeup.” This is a “60 Minutes” style news show, and I was consulted by one of the producers. As far as I know the interview is scheduled to air Monday at 1900 (Pole/NZ time) on TV ONE. If this New Zealand channel doesn’t happen to be on your program grid, you can tune in to the web site and watch it afterward. |
|
 The end of July, here’s our hero getting ready to take his first steps! |
 And here he is, up to his full 6′-4″ height! |
 Here he is back in mid June with one of his new bionic attachments. Like a Swiss Army knife…lots of tools. After getting out of the hospital he has been staying near his California home and getting acquainted with the new toys. These 3 photos are credited to Kathy Blumm.
As you can see from the photos at the top of the page, things are going well. To date we’ve raised about $30,000! Amazing! But help is still needed. And I’ve got TWO pages of photos of Jake that have been contributed from here and there. Start here. Here’s the deal! Join the many friends from around the world who have helped Jake and Kathy as they face this difficult time. It’s easy…just send a check payable to “The Jake Speed Fund c/o Beth Watson” to:
There are a couple of other payment options, email me for details. As for the story…the headline perhaps could have read “Man Lost in Whiteout Survives 58-Hour Ordeal in Sub-Zero Temps.” It is an amazing saga.
Although he managed to walk out on his own two feet, there was extensive nerve damage. Jake was transported to Nuuk, Greenland for preliminary examination. He was then flown to the UC Davis hospital burn unit in Sacremento for extensive evaluation and treatment. After multiple surguries, and attempts to partially save his original feet, he has now undergone full amputation of his right hand and both feet. He is currently undergoing an abdominal flap procedure to save full use of the left hand.
Jake Speed (Joseph Gibbons) started with the U. S. Antarctic Program in 1999 as a UT (left, photo from CH; right, DH)…starting the first of five consecutive winters at Pole, from 2000 to 2004. He began seasonal work in Greenland in 2004, while still returning to Pole during austral summers as an equipment operator. He set a record for consecutive winters at the South Pole at 5. Jake is very good at his work, and has said, “When I’m on, I’m on, and when I’m off, I just want to chill on the beach and hang with my friends and family.” Jake was married in 2007 to Kathy Blumm, They’d met at Pole during the 2004 winter and have done several deployments to Greenland together. Kathy was in New York State, preparing for the trip to Greenland, when Jake was medevaced out…. Jake has done extensive traveling, and has done extensive walking on those travels. His wife Kathy stated, “His feet have taken him a long long way over the years; walking the Pacific Crest Trail, across China, Africa and wherever the hell else. The Poles. So, he has maybe gone beyond warrantable miles anyway. Time for something new. As we go into this next phase, I want to take a second here to say thanks. Thanks to all the folks that have been there for us in so many ways and on so many levels. It has been amazing. The flood of mail has been so heartwarming and the donations to the ice fund have blown us away. Thank you.” |
|
 Jake in Greenland, relaxing on top of a HUGE pile of nets on a Nansen sled after a long day of packing up camp near the end of the summer season (BJ) The photo credits and acknowledgements are on the last photo page…lots of photos start here! Other public information sources include the National Science Foundation press release, and for now, the interview Jake gave to the Christchurch Press. |
|
Tags: Antarctica
