Two great Triathletes in the hospital from Colorado (Page 5)

devotchkatata - 2009-08-24 11:06 AM This has been a really devastating couple days. I still cannot believe what happened. It just doesn't fit into my head. I woke up this morning and was hoping it was just a terrible dream. Stories like this are always terrifying but you never expect that it will happen to some close to you... Richard - you've overcome so much. You are a fighter. You will get through this too. My heart and thoughts are with you. I'll be there in person soon too. Please - heal up and recover soon. Can't wait to see you. Julia - you've always been my role model. I've never mentioned it, but I've always looked up to you and wanted to be as strong as you - athletically and in other aspects of your life. Get well soon, Ironwoman. Does anyone have a link to a news article about the accident? I've searched Denver news sites, but coulnd't find anything. I am spreading the word here in Seattle area, it would help to have more details. Thanks to all of you for your support and help, Lilia Paradis

skarl - 2009-08-24 11:19 AM Kathleen Allen emailed an update to Julia's tri club:

Progress:
 I saw Julia yesterday. She is doing better, a little more coherent. She is in pain from the surgeries to her R knee and the deep wounds in her L shoulder and her L leg. Her injuries are mostly in damage to het L leg and r knee. She has no broken bones and all scans on her internal organs and brain are fine. What a blessing! All her vital signs are very strong and  she has made progress since yesterday. They even had a physical therapist sit her up and dangle her legs off the side of the bed. She is on  a lot of pain meds and is a little confused. We are trying to keep visitors to a minimum. There will be lots of ways for all of us to help soon. Because she is still in ICU (at Littleton Adventist Hosp. 303-730-5823), I think visitors should be limited. She needs to rest and keep her risk of infection low. 
 
Also seriously injured was Richard Paradis. he is a very cloase friend and training partner of Julia. He is at Swedish with head injuries, broken ribs and a punctured lung. He remains in ICU in a medically-induced coma. Many of us do not know him, but he needs prayers and support, too.
 
What you can do:
 
We are setting up a "care calendar" (Jana?) so you can sign up to help with the boys, making meals and eventually grocery shopping, house cleaning and taking Julia to PT and dr. appts.
 
Although they are too proud to ask for help, Julia will not be working for some time and her close friend Richard, who was also injured, does not have health insurance. I have set up accounts for both of them at Evergreen National Bank. You can make checks out to "Evergreen National Bank" and put "Julia Purrington Recovery Fund" or "richard paradis recovery fund" in the memo. You can take $ to the bank or send it to Evergreen National Bank P.o> Box 2020 Evergreen, CO 80437. If you send $ into the bank and want a receipt, please ask for one. The Purringtons could also use gift cards to King Soopers or safeway (so people shopping for groceries for them do not have to use their own $) or gift cards to Conifer Restaurants (pap Murphy's, JJ Madwells, Anthony's Pizza).
If you can forward this e-mail and any others to the tri-bal training group, swim team, rocky mtn academy, D3 Multisport and any other groups that Julia or Richard belong to that would be very helpful. We are trying not to bombard Chris with phone calls and e-mails. If you have a question, please try to call or e-mail me, kathleen, 303-908-2636. You can also have people e-mail me to be added to the list ([email protected])
 
Thanks from Julia and Chris for all of your concern, love and support. If anyone is aware of the amazing love, support and generosity of this community, I believe that it is me. You have all been so incredible to me and my family when I was the one in need. Julia has done so much for all of us in so many ways, I know that with our help her whole family will pull through this.
 
THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! - Kathleen

PennState - 2009-08-24 4:11 PM wow, Richard does not have health insurance?
This is truly an awful situation.

skarl - 2009-08-24 7:20 PM

Latest update from Kathleen in email to Julia's tri club:

"Saw Julia this afternoon. Really making great progress! She ate lunch and the cookies me, Alex and Max made for her! She was sitting up, saying swear words and kind of peeved at her mom who is visiting. Told she was due to get cervical collar off at 4pm, nurse hopeful that she may be out of ICU tomorrow. Hopefully home within a week.
 
Some friends of Richard Paradis' (other cyclist who was injured) are trying to organize an open water swim race fundraiser for him (we do not believe that he has insurance and is still in a medically induced-coma). They hope to do it Sept. 6 at Grant Ranch. Julia's coach thinks he can get some cool stuff signed by Chris McCormack to raffle off for her expenses... More on these to follow.
 
Please pass updates on to people who would like to know of Julia and Richard's progress and please have them e-mail me to be added to "the list"
 
Love your friends, hug your pets and kids! -Kathleen"

Kathleen's email: [email protected]

She was sitting up, saying swear words and kind of peeved at her mom who is visiting.