Heck, I even like where the guy grew up and currently lives as it's my own childhood stomping grounds where relatives still live. (And, I might add that Watervliet NY has Ted's Fish Fry, amazing stuff!)
His accident on last night's premiere was definitely a freak occurrence. All he was doing was riding in a boat back to the camp and off camera. I guess it's lucky that it happened to him rather than someone who isn't quite as solidly built.
I read this article online as I, having undergone severe back issues and surgery as of late, was curious about his prognosis. Thankfully, it seems like he's made a good physical recovery since the show filmed. However, with the word "compression" in the diagnosis, I'm thinking he might have suffered a compression fracture. While that is definitely an injury that will heal, the pain is incredible. It's no wonder most of what happened until he woke up in the hospital is a blank to him.
Just looking at who Pat is, I think the psychological pain might be more enduring than his back injury. He says in the article that he would have been safe that night at Tribal Council as the consensus was that they would vote out Nick. Pat had redeemed his bossiness bit by the inevitable result of a sturdy shelter built. Nick, though he had his own sad story, irked his tribe mates by being lazy around camp.
Now, I doubt that Jeff Probst will ever read this. But I think, if anyone deserves another shot to be on Survivor, it's Pat. I'd like to see him have a shot to really play the game, not be offed by a rogue wave. If he does come back, perhaps bubble wrap during boat transports in typhoons might be a viable idea.
Let's see Pat Cusack play the game! What do you think?
