X GAMES ATHLETE GOING HOME
by GREG BAERG, Lat34
By now, most fans of action sports have heard about the terrible injury suffered by BMX dirt rider Stephen Murray in June of this year. While competing at the first stop of the AST Dew Tour in Baltimore, Murray attempted a double backflip -- a trick he's performed dozens of times without a problem -- but this time, he had to bail midway through. He landed on his neck, crushing several vertebrae, and was instantly paralyzed from the neck down.
After the extent of Stephen's injuries became known, a recovery fund was set up and donations poured in from fans, fellow athletes, sponsors and the AST Dew Tour. The family detailed his treatment, keeping everyone updated via the Internet as to his ongoing ups and downs after he entered Craig Hospital, one of the country's top spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers.
However, such treatment is extremely expensive, costing thousands of dollars a day. Even though Murray had insurance, which was a requirement to participate at the Dew Tour, it does not cover everything. The financial impact on the family has been terrible, especially with Murray's parents and family traveling from Britain to be by his side. Additionally, his wife and two small children had to travel from California to visit, draining any money the family had.
Now Murray is getting ready to leave Craig and continue his treatment in California so that he can be with his family. He won't be returning to the home they once had -- that is gone because of the expenses they incurred -- instead they are renting a home, for which they have had to pay one year in rent in advance because of credit issues.
Murray should be back in California by the start of December. Donations are still desperately needed for his fund to continue treatment. He has shown some improvement, and is off the ventilator and able to breathe on his own. The future may hold even more good news. Those interested in donating to the Stephen Murray Recovery Fund can visit www.stephenmurrayfamilyfund.com.