Rampart Range Accident

Man, I saw the location of the accident in the paper today and got nervous.

Anyone looked into Richard's dog?  What hospital is he at? 

Hope they are both going to recover fully and fast. 

I have my first shift tomorrow at Littleton.    I'm assuming they are in the ICU....i'll try and get over there when i can.   Never met either of them, but i'll see them if i can.

Terrible news.   Makes me not wanna get back on my bike now

Oh no. My heart absolutely stopped when I saw the names.

Lots of prayers. I'm sure they have many many friends everywhere, and I don't know either irl or even through BT....but of course I've seen their names and in DickDimes case, read many of his RRs.

However, I live in the Springs and if anyone hear's about anything they might need, or wants to get a get well fund together or anything....please PM me.  I'd like to help in anyway possible.

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"

(eta:  Kathleen Allen was critically injured a couple years ago, right before she and Julia were to compete in Worlds when a garbage truck turned in front of her while she was riding.  Kathleen finished 4th in her AG at Boulder Peak this year and is going to Worlds again next month.  She is an incredible person and an inspiration to everyone who knows her.)

Edited by skarl 2009-08-24 1:39 PM

Drew found ramone last night

On the general forum there is a thread fo triathlete of the month nominations. I have nominated both Richard and Julia based on there credentials as athletes and human beings, but also in hopes that it will send some positive mojo their way.
fil

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]

Edited by skarl 2009-08-24 8:21 PM

A friend of mine is an ICU nurse at Swedish where Richard is.  I've sent her a message to please send give him all of our good thoughts if she thinks he might be responsive.  I'll keep everyone posted here if she tells me anything.  Ugh, my heart goes out to both of them and their family and friends. 

Hi all,

I got a message back from my nurse friend and she gave me a great idea.  Swedish Hospital has a system for emailing patients through the hospital.  Volunteers print them, put them in envelopes and then give them to the patient and/or family/friends.  I'm posting the link here so maybe we can make sure his friends and family know how much we're all pulling for him. 

http://www.swedishhospital.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=C3332D30-214F-4558-9BD9-683A6F40A446

Robyn

Cool.  I sent him a message

Thanks Robyn, anothe rmessage sent

Edited by StMaas 2009-08-25 9:38 PM

just sent message. that is too cool!!

Robyn,Thank you for the idea! I know these messages really helped my friends when their child was dying in the hospital. Thankfully Dime and Julia have a much brighter future.

Wow, I just called and talked with Julia. I have raced with her at worlds in Germany, nationals, and had got her to wear a GPS tracking unit at Boston 2 years ago when we both raced. She sounded in great spirits knowing it could have been worse. I know she will go for it after recovery and be the best at what she will be able to do. I just messed my back up and had a tranforaminal epidural today, which also means my Worlds at Gold Coast is no longer a race for me. My prayers to Julia, and if I can race at Gold Coast, she will me on my mind with positive energy being sent back.

Dave