Many people picture dying as a white light at the end of a tunnel.
Although dying is an unknown territory for the living, we have heard of this light from those who have flat-lined and came back to life.
But not for Joe Lintol, Lake Orion resident and 1978 graduate of Lake Orion High School.
Lintol flat-lined for a total of ten minutes.
He didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel or pearly gates; instead, he saw memories of water skiing from when he was a kid.
‘All my friends are going: did you see the light? I didn’t see anything. I just kept dreaming,? Lintol said.
Lintol had a five percent chance of surviving after being nipped on the finger by his friend’s terrier on Christmas Eve 2008. He was trying to keep the peace between the terrier and his friend’s other dog as they fought over a biscuit.
Lintol said he thought nothing of it at the time.
Then on Christmas Day, he went to bed early, feeling like he had a fever. Lintol said his wife Amy immediately exclaimed, ‘There’s something wrong with you!? upon seeing him.
Lintol’s head was bloated and completely purple. His wife called 911, and Lintol was instantly rushed to the hospital.
Lintol was infected with streptococcal bacteria from the dog bite, which is responsible for many cases of pneumonia, meningitis and other ‘flesh-eating? bacterium infections.
This blood infection caused Lintol to suffer a heart attack and failure of all his organs.
The infection also attacked his extremities. A part of his ear, the edge of his tongue, his hands and toes all turned black.
As a result, the 49-year-old AV roofer and extreme sports lover had both his hands and feet amputated.
‘All of the things we would take for granted, I had to learn all over again,? Lintol said.
When Lintol was 12-years-old, he had his spleen removed due to a Motorcross accident.
‘If I can prevent one person from having to go through this–if you have your spleen removed, make sure you get your shots. There are three special shots; call a doctor,? Linton stressed for those who have or will someday get their spleens removed.
He said that when he was 12, these shots did not exist. Those who have their spleens removed, as Lintol did, should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia and should talk to their physician as soon as possible.
Lintol’s brothers are members of the Knights of Columbus and helped set up a benefit in Lintol’s name.
Dave Longtine is a member of the Knights and was the main organizer of the event. Since Lintol was a roofer, Longtine said there was real need for help since Lintol’s limbs were a crucial part of his job.
‘We look for people we can help,? Longtine said. ‘Joe’s cause seemed like a good one.?
Lintol was slow to accept the help.
‘You gotta be kidding me. I couldn’t believe it. My brothers told me about the benefits and everything. At first I was a little apprehensive,? Lintol said. ‘But I heard more and more about it, and it’s not only helping me, but I think it’s helping my family, a lot of my friends and a lot of other people who are here. I’m pretty much overwhelmed by all of this because it happened just recently, within six months and all of the sudden I’m like this.?
If you would like to help Lintol, visit his Web site at joelintol.com or donate money at Knights of Columbus #8500 3700 North Harvey Lake Road, Highland, MI 48356.
But what Lintol said he wants most is for people who have lost a spleen to be educated so they won’t suffer the same fate as he did.