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Tragedy at Hellyer Velodrome on Saturday
Sun, 05/25/2008 - 2:33pm
Cycling Community of Friends,
Gerry Jeffs took his wife, Paige and another woman friend of theirs to the track yesterday for the beginner session. Just after a flying 200 where his wife nipped her friend at the line...she did the inevitable for a beginner...she forgot to keep pedaling. Her bike flipped over and she went down hard. She was unconscious for at least 15 minutes on the track, go evacuated to a hospital that actually had just the right type of emergency personnel to take care of her. They performed surgery last night, took out a small section of her skull and also her brain. From what I understand from Gerry is that this portion of her brain was not something major but one never knows what lasting effect it may have on her future life. Last night the doctor didn't give her much of a chance at survival. Today, she is drugged out, obviously. However, all of her vital signs like BP, HR, etc. are really good! They just fed her as well as her body did suggest that she could now take in some nutrition. She is most definately not out of the woods yet but the progress is positive. Please, at the request of Gerry Jeffs, do not flood them with emails and phone calls. Each time Gerry has to re-live what he saw out on the track, the harder it is for him. If you want to send any encouragement, etc., you can do it through me until he can personally handle it.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Paige, Gerry and the rest of their family.
Sincerely,
Alan Atha
Every day I become more overwhelmed with the support from the people who I've never met, and those I hold close to my heart. I know my wife and she will fight her way through this, and make me a better person in the process. People are always asking what they can do, keep providing Paige all the positive energy you can muster, through what ever spiritual means you have in your life. I'll take anything.
I have not had a day yet where there wasn't a small sign of something good happening with her. Today the validation of the MRI on her neck showing no damage, the swelling of her face decreasing, the slight movement of her eye, all positive steps.
Gerry
Warren,
This is actually a very small community...in one big world. If guy's like Hoy can sit down and send a small encouraging message...
Folks, check out that link above.
Gerry,
Paige has the whole world in her corner!
Alan Atha
USA Cycling Level 1 Coach
NCNCA Men's Category 5 Mentor Coordinator 2008/09/10
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Coach, CYCLING SYSTEMS
http://www.fundamentaltrainingcenter.blogspot.com
http://www.cyclingsystems.com
415-328-1373
Gerry- We too wish you and Paige the very best.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Paige
at these very tough times.
Friends of Paige have set up a page on Caring Bridge:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paigeconnard
Lorri Lee Lown
http://www.velogirls.com
Hi Gerry/Alan- Check this out... International good wishes to you and Paige...
http://www.fixedgearfever.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=3...
Thanks for coming out and helping with the Monday session, Gerry.
Best to you and Paige.
m
Gerry, you've made many friends at the track in your short time there, and they, along with many people who you don't even know yet are pulling for Paige and you.
Gerry, I don't know you or Paige, but I'm sending positive, healing thoughts, as I'm sure many others in the racing community are.
Update when you can. We look forward to good news.
Lorri Lee Lown
Velo Girls
ps -- I'm sure you'll be thrilled if she's ticked at you!!!
Lorri Lee Lown
http://www.velogirls.com
I’m exhausted but felt I needed to communicate to a supporting community that has helped me in so many ways get through this time. When we arrived at the trauma center Saturday we had a bucket full of negative stuff, so much she wasn’t supposed to make it through the night. Paige doesn’t give up that easily and is one of the must competitive people I know, and in everything she does. After the surgery, the bucket of positive stuff started growing and the negative stayed the same, and over the last 48 hours, there has been a reduction of negatives and still an increase in positives.
I completely feel she will make it through this, but am still guarded to get through some difficult times ahead. There’s a third CAT in the morning, which will hopefully lead to the decision of allowing her to wake up. Hope she’s not ticked off at me.
Thanks for everyone’s support and well wishes.
Gerry
I am so sorry to hear about this. I only met Gerry once a few weeks ago and Paige not at all, but I am thinking about them and hoping for the best.
:(
I don't really know Gerry and his wife but I will keep them and there family in my prayers.