2009 Sponsors:
|
CDR- Viensten Icao
Fractured Femur and Clavicle A very clear sunny day in Oregon, IL and the start of 2008 tigbakay series. We arrived at kai motorcross track at 1030 in the morning. We prepped up the bikes for the race and I started feeling the pressure. I thought to my self, I raced in the beginners class a year ago and now I’m running with the faster crowd which is the novice class.  I knew there was something else going on. My practice runs are not the way it should be. My heart is pounding harder than the week before. My jumps are short to the receivers and I even land with my bike front end first or the rear-end first on the small jumps. Then everyone started arriving and getting ready for the race. My trainor, Imman Icao, called me in from my practice laps to rest for a while prior to the race and have some food. I insisted for another lap.I was running behind Dodong Rubio when we were coming up the notorious step up jump. I’m determined to clear the step up prior to start of the race. That’s when disaster strikes. I did not realize the right side of the approach is a kicker. My bike ended up diving after clearing the second mound. All I saw was the dirt coming up to my face and there was nothing I could do but to brace my self for the impact. I jumped off the bike seconds before I hit the ground. I came flying across the dirt with my bike tumbling behind me. Then the inevitable happen, I saw the bike slamming onto my body as it landed. I felt the great force my the bike on top of me for a second then my bike bounced off of me roaring it’s loud 450 cc engine about 10 ft of where I was lying. There was a sudden rush of blood with adrenalin pumping into my brain. I Just realized that the bike bounced off my right clavicle and my left knee. I knew I broke something because I heard a loud crack when it happened. I tried to bend my knees but my left leg became heavy and weak. Right then I knew I broke my femur. The pain started to set in after a few minutes. There was a severe excruciating pain coming from my left thigh. The pain on my left thigh was extremely bad that I did not even realize that I also broke my right clavicle until I tried to move my right shoulder. A bone was sticking out of place on my right clavicle but then I pushed it back in place.  I laid in track for good 30 minutes while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. My friends and family were there to comfort me trying to ease the pain. Every time my muscles tense up, I would feel this sharp piercing pain dashing into my brain. All I could do is shout on top of my lungs. I was transferred to a nearby hospital for stabilization then the doctor gave me the bad news. My left femur was broke and my right clavicle was fractured in 3 places. I was then transferred to Lutheran General Medical Center near Chicago for the surgery of my left femur. I spent six days in the hospital and four months of rehab at home. The rehabilitation was conducted by one of our own CDR Rider, Paul Tiu. I received a great deal of support from the CDR team.  Although, I broke my femur and clavicle, I still consider myself lucky. I think it could have been worse without my protective gear. If I didn’t wear my knee brace that day, I’m sure I could suffer from a more severe knee injury. My fractured clavicle could have been prevented if I wore a neck brace (e.i. Leatt brace). The whole accident could have been prevented if I did not push myself too hard. I knew I was not ready for that jump but I still went for it anyway.  Having a major injury like this can take a toll in your life. I am fortunate enough to have a supporting girlfriend who was there every step of the way and great friends who helped me in hard times. The rider down foundation was a huge help for me financially. Although the monetary aid from the CDR team is not an insurance policy. I urge everyone who enters a dangerous sport to get your own health insurance and disability insurance. I was not able to work for four months and I might not be able to ride a dirt bike for a minimum of one year. The trauma is still there. It may not because I am afraid to get on a bike but because of the hard times I’ve been through financially. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
