c1-c2, November 2006
One day i was walking home from school and was at a pedastrian crossing with a green light when a car flew round a corner and drove straight into me. I later found out that he was involved in a car chase and the police car stopped to help me but I was out of it as soon as my head hit a rock. I woke up 3 months later in a hospital. I was told I would never do many things by myself again. the injury was that high that unlike most high level quads I cant even tilt my head from side to side. when my head hit the rock it also caused brain damage and as a result I cannot swallow and even if my spinal cord was fine I would be a spastic quariplegic. I have a complete injury and no sensation other than in my head. I have no bowel control and am ventilator dependent, with 24/7 care. I am now 17 and I feel I have missed a lot after being injured at 15 but hey what can u do except take what life gives u and get on with it.
T7 Complete, March 2005
2005 was shaping up to be a great year. I had secured a ride with the Honda motocross team after only 3 seasons of competition, but tragedy struck during the first event of the season. I was running in 2nd place when I tangled with another rider and crashed head first into a dirt embankment, leaving me a T7 Paraplegic at 16 years old.
Prior to that race I was being trained by David Bailey, a former Motocross and Supercross National Champion who suffered a spinal cord injury in 1987. David has helped me tremendously since my injury, showing me how to adapt to my new lifestyle and giving me confidence that life does not have to stop because you are disabled.
I believe that one day soon science is going to be able to “fix” the effects of this injury, but it is going to take all of us working together to achieve it.
Meanwhile I try to live my life to the fullest. I go Skydiving, race my NASCAR style truck, race my adapted dirt bike in the Baja 500 and X Games, and compete in the Ironman Triathlon. You can see video of my activities at www.rickyjames824.com.
