balancing two wheels on the head of a pin
September 12, 2013 7:48 PM Subscribe
Martyn Ashton, one of the fathers of trials riding, sustained "life changing" injuries on September 1st.
previously
previously
I'm not a doctor, but based on what little I can find online, a spinal cord break at T9 means he's paraplegic now. That's really sad. (The only blessing is that it shouldn't have affected either arm.)
T9 is in the lower back.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:06 PM on September 12, 2013
T9 is in the lower back.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:06 PM on September 12, 2013
This wikipedia article has a chart telling what is what. (And I read it wrong. T9 is mid-back, but I was right that it's below the part which controls the arms.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:09 PM on September 12, 2013
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:09 PM on September 12, 2013
Wow. Horrible.
And if it's true and permanent, I'm betting the world of stunt wheelchair riding is going to have its bar raised.
posted by dobbs at 8:23 PM on September 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
And if it's true and permanent, I'm betting the world of stunt wheelchair riding is going to have its bar raised.
posted by dobbs at 8:23 PM on September 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
He made beautiful bicycle ballets. I hope he gets the best care possible.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:33 PM on September 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:33 PM on September 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
This link describes the effects of injuries to the vertebra.
It might not sound it, but this actually one of the better ones - make no mistake, this is a horrible, life altering injury, but assuming good initial strength, health and rehabilitation, he'll be able to have a pretty independent life. One of the really big things is being able to get in and out of a bed to a chair, a chair to a couch or and adapted car, not to mention that he should still have full control of his hands.
My mum was in a spinal care ward after an accident almost exactly 3 years ago with an injury higher up, so seeing this hit me pretty hard, especially as a road bike rider who loved his Road Bike Party video. I take a bit of comfort from the fact that he's from the UK - the NHS care my mum received was, and continues to be, exceptional.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 9:18 PM on September 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
It might not sound it, but this actually one of the better ones - make no mistake, this is a horrible, life altering injury, but assuming good initial strength, health and rehabilitation, he'll be able to have a pretty independent life. One of the really big things is being able to get in and out of a bed to a chair, a chair to a couch or and adapted car, not to mention that he should still have full control of his hands.
My mum was in a spinal care ward after an accident almost exactly 3 years ago with an injury higher up, so seeing this hit me pretty hard, especially as a road bike rider who loved his Road Bike Party video. I take a bit of comfort from the fact that he's from the UK - the NHS care my mum received was, and continues to be, exceptional.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 9:18 PM on September 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well, on the bright side, I've finally discovered a reason someone should own a fixed-gear bicycle? :\
posted by GoingToShopping at 11:52 PM on September 12, 2013
posted by GoingToShopping at 11:52 PM on September 12, 2013
.
I sustained an injury that took me off biking (doctor's orders) for a while. Martyn's videos were one of the things that, while incredibly frustrating to watch while not allowed to then go for a ride, kept me itching to go back.
I got my lost feeling back. I hope he does too.
posted by tiaz at 12:22 AM on September 13, 2013
I sustained an injury that took me off biking (doctor's orders) for a while. Martyn's videos were one of the things that, while incredibly frustrating to watch while not allowed to then go for a ride, kept me itching to go back.
I got my lost feeling back. I hope he does too.
posted by tiaz at 12:22 AM on September 13, 2013
> I'm betting the world of stunt wheelchair riding is going to have its bar raised.
...and the bar's already high.
posted by ardgedee at 4:02 AM on September 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
...and the bar's already high.
posted by ardgedee at 4:02 AM on September 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
He seems upbeat based on his twitter and instagram posts and I really hope this isn't the end of him putting his ass over his head on a human powered vehicle.
posted by cmfletcher at 7:18 AM on September 13, 2013
posted by cmfletcher at 7:18 AM on September 13, 2013
« Older Dolla Dolla Bill, Y'all | Good luck, bad luck, who knows? Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by mathowie at 8:05 PM on September 12, 2013