by Dave Liniger
I’ve thought of moments like that, and of other Miracle Children I’ve met over the years, a lot during my illness. Spending so much time in the hospital myself has really put into perspective what these kids and their families go through. These children are real heroes, and it makes it especially rewarding to know that RE/MAX has been there for them.
In October 2011, Gail and I were honored on behalf of RE/MAX at the CMNH annual convention, in part because RE/MAX agents had donated more than $100 million during the twenty-year relationship. It was a huge honor. RE/MAX has always had a culture of giving back to the communities it serves. And this was an easy cause to support. One hundred percent of the money raised for CMNH stays in the local community. I’m very proud of our association with CMNH, and of the generosity our RE/MAX family displays every year.
Another cause dear to my heart is Sentinels of Freedom, an organization devoted to helping men and women of the armed forces who have suffered severe injuries. Wounded warriors have always been important to me. I’ve raised money for Fisher House, which provides housing at military bases for families of wounded soldiers so their loved ones can be there to help support them throughout their recovery. I bought the original CNN Hummer at a charity auction and sent it to dozens of high-profile events around the country, including the Kentucky Derby, the Daytona 500, the Detroit Auto Show and the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque to help raise awareness about Fisher House and to solicit donations. Millions of people have seen the Hummer, and millions of dollars have been raised as a result.
I even took an under-the-radar trip to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland to visit the soldiers recovering from injuries there. I solicited the support of the Denver Broncos, who donated jerseys and footballs and sent players and cheerleaders from the team to accompany us on our visit. It was an incredible experience to see the spirit of those warriors, who are coming back as double-or even triple-amputees, looking forward at the world, trying to make the best of what they have left. It was very inspirational to me, and something I often thought about after I got sick. My visit with those warriors then was as a former military man. Today, I’m a recovering soldier just like them. I look forward to making another trip there someday very soon.
What do we do with the rest of our money?
The next third goes to Uncle Sam and the final third to our family.
When we started RE/MAX, it was not an easy undertaking. Like many small businesses, we struggled a great deal. For a long time the paychecks were few and far between. The officers who joined the company early on have stuck with me from the very start. They never wavered from their commitment to me, nor did I to them. As a result, many of my very closest friends today happen to be colleagues—both past and present. Of course, we’ve made a big success from following our dream, but in the early days there were no certainties or guarantees of that. One of the promises I made to those loyal friends from the start was that RE/MAX would never become a family business—meaning my children would not come in and take over senior officer positions because they came from the lucky gene pool.
When my kids were young, we were not wealthy people. We were like any other normal middle-class family. I never believed in spoiling the children or giving them more than they needed. They all had jobs when they were teenagers, which taught them to work hard so they could buy their own cars and other things they wanted. This kind of life experience helped them develop a good work ethic from an early age. They quickly figured out they couldn’t be two minutes late or call in sick to go to a party with their friends. As a result, each grew up with tremendous discipline and appreciation for the things they earned. I had many long discussions with all four of my children when they were young, explaining that they couldn’t count on RE/MAX to make their living as they found their own way in life. Those conversations continued as they became adults. While I would not let them work at the company, I agreed to pay for their college educations and to even invest in business ventures with them if they made sense. But for the most part, they’ve been raised to be independent, to be on their own in business and in life.
CHUCK
Something changed for me after Dad got sick. My perspective on the importance of family strengthened. It wasn’t like I had ever been distant from them, but seeing Dad struggle and watching how our family and friends rallied around him opened my eyes and made me want to be closer to everyone back in Colorado. Since this happened, Bonnie and I have decided that being around our family is much more important that anything we have as far as our businesses and jobs. It is not just for my dad. It is about my entire family—my sister and my brothers are my best friends in the world, and I can’t think of anything that is more important than being together as a unit.
One of the things my children have spoken to me about over the years was my absence in their lives as I grew RE/MAX into the business it has become today. Before I got sick, our relationships were good. All of my children have been very close their entire lives. They are good-hearted and well-intentioned in all that they do. They take care of their mother (my first wife) very well and have always shown Gail a great deal of love, respect and support throughout our years together.
When I got sick, it took the level of our relationships to a new high. I will never be able to thank my children enough for coming together to support Gail and to help protect me. Moreso, I am so proud of them for the way they conducted themselves with others throughout my illness. One of the nurses, who I became very close to, told me that everyone was nervous when I first arrived at Craig Hospital because no one knew what to expect. All they knew was that there was a confidential patient who was a large donor to the hospital over the years. While you might think that would have gotten me special privileges along the way, I assure you, it didn’t. My status meant nothing to them. Craig, like any top hospital, doesn’t care if you have a dollar to your name or if your name is on the wing you’re staying in. What this nurse most wanted to know was whether my family members and I were going to be demanding pains in the butt. I can certainly understand where she was coming from, as nurses are often targets for angry patients and families. Remember, I was once that guy—the one who didn’t trust nurses after Gail’s accident. I’m sure my reputation preceded my arrival!
I’m told that within hours, my family and friends had completely won over the hospital staff. They were the kind of group that jumped in to see how they could help the nurses, technicians and other hospital personnel instead of hinder them. So often, families get in the way of what needs to be done. Trust me, this doesn’t do anyone any good—especially the patient. When families argue, disagree and pull power trips about who is going to be in charge and make decisions, it’s hard to make the right choices because egos are involved. Calm minds always prevail.
This was also true for me throughout my stay at Sky Ridge and Craig. I knew I was a tough son of a bitch before I’d gotten sick, but my seven months in the hospital taught me that I wasn’t as tough as I thought. Even in my weakest moments, I always did my best to show the people who were helping me a great deal of courtesy and to extend the same kindness they were giving me. After all, these were the people helping me get well, and that still means a great deal to me.
I’m not perfect. I’ve had more than my share of enemies and have made more than my share of mistakes As you mature, you try to fit into the world more comfortably, to not be confrontational or hurt people, and you do your best to always show your appreciation. That is why I wanted to write this book. It’s my way of saying thank you to those who walked along my path on my journey of hope and healing. But it’s also meant to be something more. You see, the idea of this book first came to me when I was in the ICU. I thought about all of the people going through a crisis in their lives without the kind of love and support I had throughout my illness. I saw patients in Craig whose families couldn’t be with them for financial reasons or because they had other obligations keeping them apart. I was fortunate that I could go through m
y rehabilitation near my home. Most patients don’t have that luxury. As I spent so many nights awake and scared, I desperately wanted to find something I could read to help me understand what I was going through. I wanted a book that inspired me to keep working hard and to motivate me to never give up. I hope this is that book for you.
This journey is far from over. When I look at the things I’ve lost, they really aren’t that important. To a certain degree, I have lost my ability to use some of my right arm and hand. I have a weakness that is never going away on the right side of my body. I am never going to pass the annual FAA flight physical to be a pilot. But that’s ok, because I can still fly. Maybe not like Superman—yet. As you know by now, when it comes to this old lion, never say never.
As I put the finishing touches on this book, the holidays have come and gone. My goal to be walking by Christmas has been met—sort of. Today, I’m able to walk on my own for a short time first thing in the morning. I still use my cane to keep me steady and safe. By the afternoon, I find it easier to get around on my crutches. By the end of my day, which is as full as ever, with going to the office, continuing my physical therapy and even traveling a couple of times a month, my body is tired. I have no problem giving in to that fatigue and sitting in my power chair for relief. I am still in pain, but have learned to deal with it. I will likely spend the rest of my life on antibiotic therapy for the staph infection, which still resides in my body. And I will continue to work hard, doing everything it takes so that one day I can finally toss that cane in a corner as a reminder of where I once was, where I’ve been and what is possible.
When I look at my life, I realize that despite the challenges, Gail and I have been pretty damn fortunate. I’m not ready to write my obituary yet, and I don’t know exactly what’s coming next. What I do know, though, is that many dear friends and family members love me—and they made it possible for me to get through the past year. Despite all of the things I have, that love and support is what truly makes me a wealthy and very lucky man.
FROM THE DESK OF DAVE LINIGER
7/25/12
Hello everyone,
As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with significant health issues since late January, when I went to the emergency room with a terrible pain in my back. It turned out to be a serious staph infection that had invaded my spine, and I’ve had several surgeries to address the problem. As a result, I’ve spent the past six months in several hospitals; the first eight weeks in Intensive Care. To say the least, it was a very close call.
What I wanted you to know today is this: I’m out of the hospital now, and have returned to work.
In other words, despite any rumors you may have heard, I’m very much alive.
I’ve stayed current with what’s happening at RE/MAX and in the industry, but there’s nothing like being back in my own office, at my own desk. It’s great.
My plan is to work most mornings. In the afternoons, I’ll be doing physical therapy five days a week, on an outpatient basis.
The PT is focused on helping me regain full movement in my legs and arms. I’m using a wheelchair for now, but the doctors are optimistic about my chances for a full recovery. I certainly expect that to happen, but it will take time.
I want to thank and compliment our CEO Margaret Kelly, her staff, and the Region Owners for doing such an outstanding job in leading our organization this year. In fact, the entire team at HQ has been terrific. Everyone has been extremely supportive of Gail at a time when she and my children were under a great deal of stress.
I also want to thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and kind gestures. I’ve never once felt like I was in this thing alone, and for that I’m truly grateful.
My PT schedule will keep me in Denver for the time being, but you can count on me being in Las Vegas for R4 next February. I can’t wait to see you all there.
And, once again, thank you for everything.
Regards,
Dave Liniger
Chairman and Co-Founder
RE/MAX, LLC
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Hundreds of amazing people contributed to my care and recovery during my time at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Craig Hospital, and Swedish Medical Center, and in the months afterward. As much as I’d like to recognize each of them by name, I know I’d leave someone out, and I simply can’t run that risk; their roles in this story are much too important.
So to all of the doctors, anesthesiologists, assistants and operating-room personnel, thank you for saving my life.
To all of the nurses, technicians and hospital staff members involved in my care, I’m eternally grateful for your kindness, warmth and compassion.
To all of the therapists and aides who retaught me to talk, walk, move and take care of myself, thank you for pushing me, encouraging me, and helping me virtually every step of the way.
To Gail, my family and my friends, thank you for everything. You were truly there when I needed you, and I will never forget it.
To the officers and staff at RE/MAX Headquarters in Denver, thank you for all your support, for taking care of business while I was away, and for confirming what a remarkable team Gail and I have behind us.
To everyone in the RE/MAX organization, thank you for your concern, your thoughts, your prayers and your many contributions to the world’s most successful real estate company.
And finally, this book wouldn’t exist if not for my extraordinary co-author, Laura Morton, who traveled to Colorado and instantly became my friend and ally. Without your talents, hard work and guidance, this book would still be a dream. Thank you so much for making it a reality.
To all of you, thank you for being part of my life. It’s been a wild ride so far.
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