| Letter from Jack Jordan |
| Due to the nature of my injury I am dictating
this to my wife, my best friend. On November 3rd, Pete Serra and I were mountain bicycling on a course southwest of Vero Beach. While going over a small ramp, approximately 2 ft high and about 3 ft square on top, my front wheel slipped off the side and the bike catapulted me over and I landed on my head. I knew instantly that I was hurt, because I couldn't feel anything from the neck down and my body felt like it was suspended in air. After checking me over and making sure I was breathing OK, Pete went for help at the last house we had seen. The paramedics arrived soon after and, knowing the situtation, gave me steroids to reduce the swelling in my spinal column and called the air ambulance. By the time the paramedics got me out of the woods to their vehicle the helicpter was on the main road. The ambulance drove me to the helicopter and I was air lifted to Holmes Regional Trauma Center in Melbourne. The CAT scan and MRI revealed a contusion and swelling on the spinal cord in the area of the 3 vertebra down the neck, no broken bones. After some time the doctors detected slight movement in my left foot and I was given hope of recovery. I stayed at Holmes two weeks and was then trasferred to Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital, which specializes in Spinal Cord injuries. I have been here a little over two weeks and I'm told I'm making good progress. I arrived here a quadraplegic and today I was able to walk a few steps with the aid of a standard walker. I would like to thank the members that make up the FTR for all their calls, cards and donations. I hope to see you all at the races in the near futrue. 14G Jack Jordan posted 12/09/01 |