DANNY THOMAS, SERIOUSLY INJURED IN BIKE ACCIDENT 5/17/2008
As many of you now know, Danny Thomas was seriously injured this weekend at Triple Mountain.
Danny was descending Sauertown Mountain this past Saturday when he came around a curve to find two slower riders in his path, for which he corrected by swinging out to pass, putting him off his centerline. Before he knew it, he rounded the next curve where he encountered two other cyclists who had stopped in the road to rest on their climb up the mountain. Danny had two choices, either careen into them at 50 MPH or go off the side of the mountain. He chose the later.
His bike hit gravel sending him over the handlebars, rolling down the side of the mountain where he came to stop some 50-60 feet below. Danny's helmet was cracked straight through in about 6 places; his contacts flew from his eyes on impact. He is basically lucky to be alive.
In true Danny form, he was ready to simply head home, throw peroxide on his road rash and be done with it, but on the drive home he started coughing up blood.
He was admitted to Western Wake hospital Saturday afternoon and moved to Big Wake Trauma Center that evening. Tests showed he has a punctured lung, broken ribs, internal bruising, and of course he is covered in bruises and road rash.
If you ever doubted the need for wearing a helmet...doubt no longer.
Anyway, as many of you know, Danny is a single dad of two beautiful daughters and has worked various coaching jobs to help support him and his family. Like so many others these days, he had to purchase insurance he could afford at the time. And of course "affordable healthcare" means a horrendous deductible.
Apparently, he kept asking the doctors if they really needed to do the tests they were doing because he was so worried about the cost.
Danny has touched so many of our lives...whether it may have been in his racing days, or in class at Gold’s Gym, or coaching the Team-in-Training folks, or on an individual basis. He has encouraged and inspired so many of us... Let's take a moment and give back to him.
Please consider donating to help defray the cost of his medical bills.
His deductible is $3,000 - if every one touched by Danny gives just a little I know we can cover this much, and hopefully beyond to help cover whatever % he has to pay beyond that.
Danny was released from the hospital, Monday evening (5/19/2008), and is beginning a long road to recovery from home.
Every little bit helps...anything you would consider giving is greatly appreciated. Or if you have ideas how we can raise money (like maybe a spin class marathon, or a ride, or something, please let us know)
Thank you so so much.
FriendsOfCyclistDannyThomas@gmail.com
14 comments:
I was wondering what song was playing in Dan's head while going down hill....Best wishes of quick recovery, my friend, from Clare and Marco
Hi Danny, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. You were there for me when I had my serious accident and I want to be there for you. Thank you for all that you have done for the cycling community and for your genuine caring spirit for other people. We wish you a very speedy recovery. Scott and Carol
Hi Danny,
We are sorry to hear about your crash... I guess you went all Jan Ullrich on us!! ( save with a worse result). We are hoping for a speedy recovery for you and please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. The Spin Cycle
Danny, I knew you were seriously into speed, but down the side of a mountain??? Seriously, get well quickly.
Mike and Paula
Hello Danny,
I'm thinking of you and know you'll be back in the saddle in no time with that infectious, beaming smile on your face. Sending you lots of healing love!
Ann & Don Etheridge
I would like to thank Mary and Janet for all their hard work to get this all organized.
I am so deeply touched by the overwhelming response and well wishes we have received. Not only is Danny lucky to be alive but he is truly blessed by your friendships.
The following well wishes were sent to FriendsofCyclistDannyThomas@gmail.com:
Jim and Barb Crissman wrote:
"Thanks for letting us know. Barb and I wish Danny a quick and painless recovery. We're all very glad he survived. We're sending our contribution in today.
Oh, and since Dan always appreciated a good joke, tell him he can take "I Believe I Can Fly" off his Ipod now."
Ann Etheridge wrote:
“Thanks for including me on the list. This is the first news I’ve received about Danny’s crash. And he is in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Who and where can we send donations to support Danny?”
Hal Marcus wrote:
“Where would we send a check and who would we make it out to? After you give me this info, I will pass it on to the Gyros.”
Emily Edmunds wrote:
“ A quick recovery!! All of us here at LLS are thinking about you!!!”
Lani Tillar wrote:
Get better soon. Danny - I will miss your warm wave when I walk into the gym over these next few weeks! I wish you a speedy recovery and can't wait to see you again soon!
Branson Kimball wrote:
Heal up fast! Hey Danny- sorry to hear of your sudden conversion to mountain biking. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you in a paceline again soon. Branson
Sarah Jane Harmon wrote:
WHAT HAPPENED TO DANNY???
Please let me know.
I will of course contribute.
Danny was one of my Team in Training coaches for my first marathon, Chicago 2005. He went with us to Chicago. I felt so fortunate to have his support. He's an outstanding coach and a terrific athlete.
Hello and best wishes to Danny.
Please tell him, thanks to his getting my running training off to a good start in 2005, I've done 10 marathons (including two more Chicago's), and two JFK 50's, worked thru a couple of ITB injuries; next marathon the Ellerbe Moonlight Boogie and then Grandfather Mtn and Chicago. Maybe another JFK... (Not that it really matters, but I'm 64.)
Mark Luckinbill wrote:
Get well Danny.
Note:I don't know you but you are obviously tougher than I'll ever be.
Concerned cyclist friend from Raleigh,
Lucky
Danny you flying mad man!!! Where you thinking you might land in a pot of GOLD under at the bottom of a rainbow?? betcha wish that was WHERE you landed!! You have NOT visited me here in Ireland yet, so don't expect to have the 'luck of the Irish' till you come here and 'gain some strength' by drinking some REAL Guinness Beer!! It really is 'for strength' as they claim!! Seriously though, I do wish you a speedy recovery, happy healing, and may I see you back up on the 2 wheels again soon!! All things happen for a reason, I truely believe this. Maybe this is to make you sit back and see just how many friends you DO have!! Check out this blog to see all the well wishers, and to realize how many friends you do really have. Fair play to you buddy. Looks like you have touched more that just MY heart with all you do and say! It is you that I hold responsible for getting me hooked on the 2 wheel device that has shown me so much pure pleasure!! If it was not for you in 2002 that got me on the feckin thing, I do not know WHERE I would be today. CHeers buddy, look forward to cycling again soon with you. Cheers for now.
Trish
P.S. I have sent a cheque to Nancy's house to add to the little 'kitty collection' !!
So sorry to hear about your accident Coach Dan. Can I bring you dinner?? Wait... I don't cook. I could bring take out!! You'll be in my thoughts!
Merritt (aka Sister)
More well wishes........
Danny,
I'm just glad to hear that you are doing better!! I sent it around to a few others that have left Golds Gym and might not have heard. I miss taking your spinning class. The instructors at Lifetime are good, but not Danny good! I wish you a full and speedy recovery!
Stacy
***********************************
Hi Dan,
I was so sorry to hear of your accident. How are you doing? I hope you are recovering well. I can only imagine how stir crazy you must be going. We miss you at 12:15 at Golds!
I wanted to say thank you to you too. I have a good friend who is now pregnant and a really good runner...i found myself the other day repeating everything you told me over the last year. Thank you so much for all your advice. I feel very lucky that I met you and you gave me such solid information and encouragement (and reminding me not to try to do too much!) I would never have gotten back into possibly the best shape I have ever been in with out it. Sean and I went to Nashville for our 1/2 marathon's last month...I won my age division, was 6th overall female and ran 1:26.47. I beat my goal of 1:30! Sean ran 1:46!
Get Well!
Elaine
***********************************
Hi Dan,
Hope they gave you the good stuff for the pain :o)
We're all glad you survived and hope you continue to heal quickly. I guess the cycling store will now have a new broken helment to display. You were very lucky my friend. I think that means you have more to do in this world. Hang in there.
Jim
***********************************
Hi Dan, This was my favorite email of the week! It was great hearing from you and please know you have been in my prayers for a quick recovery. We don’t always know what God has in mind for us when these trials come along, yet I know your faith has been strong. The numerous emails are a true testament to your kindness. Hope to see you soon! Sending hugs (of course on the easy side). And say hi to Nancy.
Linda
***********************************
Danny,
Great to hear from you.
So glad to know you are feeling better!
Kudos for surviving that dive off the mountain. Wow.
Take it easy and heal.
Thanks for the inspiring example of sportsmanship and determination.
You'll be back on the bike in no time.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Southern Pines
And thanks again for the terrific TNT coaching for Chicago '05!
***********************************
Hi Dan,
I am glad to hear that you are moving forward with your recovery. Remember, "Big Circles" refers to cranking pedals, not doing "endo's" down a mountain. Take care of yourself and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
R
***********************************
Hey Danny,
I’m glad you are beginning to feel better. Don’t try to do too much too soon. I know how hard it is to be inactive, but you need to heal.
We look forward to you coming back to class. No body else sings with me!
Anne
***********************************
I am so glad to hear that you are doing better. Harry and Scott have kept me up to date. Scott said you were getting around, stiff and sore but much better. You are the man!!!! Take care of yourself and let me know if you need anything.
We are looking forward to seeing you back at the gym. Lori
Lori
***********************************
Danny,
It is so wonderful to read your words and know that you are feeling better !!!! I was shocked when I heard of your accident and very concerned about you. I prayed for you and hope that today is a good day for you! You are an amazing instructor and athlete and I believe we all think you are above getting injured. Your attempt to 'fly' proves you must think so as well !!!!
I have missed seeing your smiling face when I enter the gym so I hope you continue to heal 'quickly' and you are back soon! Your blessings and riches are never determined by things, but rather by relationships and people that love you! You have so many friendships and people that truly care about you !!!
Have a wonderful, restful evening!!!!
SO HAPPY you are feeling better!!!
Amy
***********************************
I recall overhearing you tell Lynn - and perhaps others - (or maybe Lynn told me that you told her): always have a bail-out plan.
At least that part sort of worked out for you.
But ... uh ... ouch.
Via "crazyguyonabike.com", I developed a correspondance relationship with Les Woodland - you may know from "cyclingnews.com" or ProCycling or whatever he used to write before he semi-retired.
In 2006, he had to give up on an ACA guided Trans-Am in Kansas due to developing a huge saddle sore. He decided to try again this year, doing the Northern Tier, starting from Boston. Last Saturday (I think), he got about 20 miles into his tour, and came out on the short of an encounter with a pot hole. Fractured his pelvis. No x-America tour for him this year.
I just hope that there is not a third person (that I know only slightly) waiting to complete the trifecta. A perfecta is more than enough - two people more than enough.
If you aren't already familiar with Les' Northern Tier blog, search CGOAB for "Leo Woodland" (he cleverly changes his name on CGOAB ... that's what he wrote ... when I inquired if he was the same person).
Take care,
Martin
***********************************
Danny, I didn't know you had an accident! I hope you are ok and will be back soon. I know everyone is going to miss you in class. Please take care of yourself and I'll see you when you get back.
Kimberly
***********************************
Danny!!! I am glad to hear that you are okay. When you do it you do it all the way!!!! Take care of yourself...my prayers go out to you...speedy recovery...okay...luv ya...Anita
***********************************
Hey Danny: Just heard about your accident, we are all thinking about you, got an email about your accident, I am passing the word around to all of the Gyros and we'll come up with a way to help you out. I wish you a speedy recovery and I personally thank you for those awesome workouts I am still trying to conquer.
Talk to you soon,
Fernando
***********************************
I hope you are feeling better. I heard in class that you had an accident while cycling. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
--
Regards,
D'Allen
***********************************
You know, some people will do anything to get out of riding 195 miles
with me. Don't you think that was a little extreme? I'm glad you are
home and doing better. And really, if there is anything you need or I
can help with, just let me know.
Lynn
Hi Danny,
I'm very sorry about your accident. It's great to hear that you are starting to get up and around, and I feel certain that this terrible event will not keep you off the bike.
Dean Hesterberg
Weeks later...more well wishes....
Robert Bonds wrote:
Dear Danny,
I don't know you, but as a fellow Triangle cyclist I wanted to help out. Hope you feel better very soon, and glad you're still in one piece after such a horrific accident.
Best wishes to you and your family,
Bob
Post a Comment