Kevin Pearce continues to show his resolve and optimism as he defies the odds and progresses every day. About one month after his accident Kevin was transferred from the University of Utah Hospital to Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado– a leading center for specialty rehabilitation and research for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury. At Craig Hospital, Kevin began his next stage towards a full recovery and is now able to walk and do many daily activities with some assistance.
Kevin made his first public statement since his injury on Monday, March 15, 2010. He is "stoked" over the support and love all of his fans have expressed toward him and his family and he related that he is progressing each day. His rehabilitation physician at Craig Hospital, Alan H. Weintraub also has reported that Kevin's progress is "encouraging." Kevin is engaged in physical therapy, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy and aquatic therapy, a treatment program specially designed to fit Kevin's needs. Kevin is showing improvements in his stamina, ability to walk as well as with his short term memory. Kevin's mother Pia stated that his progress has been "remarkable."
Brain Injury While Training for Winter Olympic Snowboarding Qualifier
Pearce sustained traumatic brain injury while training on the halfpipe at Park City Mountain Resort, Utah on December 31, 2009 and was airlifted to the University of Utah hospital for surgery. Pearce, a top-ranked halfpipe rider who was likely to make the U.S. Olympic team, was knocked unconscious when he hit his head on the halfpipe during a training run. Just three weeks prior, Pearce fell during a preliminary run at an Olympic qualifying event in Copper Mountain, Colorado, and sustained a concussion. He had only resumed snowboarding in November after taking time off to heal from a June ankle fracture.
Pearce was training for the Grand Prix, an Olympic selection event, perfecting his version of the “double cork,” a twisting double back flip, when his board caught an edge and he fell, hitting the icy halfpipe with his head. He was knocked unconscious, despite wearing a helmet. Pearce was airlifted to the hospital, where he was put on a respirator and his skull was surgically opened to let out fluid that was creating pressure on his brain. Despite the severity of his injury, he survived and was able to breathe on his own just five days later.
Snowboarding Accolades and Titles
The 22-year-old from Norwich, Vt. started competing at a young age in the Southern Vermont Snowboard Series, gradually progressing into bigger events. He was preparing for the Olympic qualifying events in Mammoth Mountain, California, and was considered to be one of America's top athletes in a sport the US dominates. Pearce was a serious contender for a gold medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics. At last year’s X Games, he won the silver medal and beat fellow snowboarder, Shaun White, at the 2008 and 2009 Burton European Open competitions.
Kevin Pearce is the first athlete in X Games history to officially compete in three medal events in one day during the 2008 Winter X Games XII. He earned medals in all three events- silver medals in Slopestyle and Big Air, and a bronze in Superpipe. During the 2007-2008 season, Pearce either won or placed on the podium at every contest he entered. He won the Arctic Challenge in 2007 and 2008 and also won the 2007 Toyota Big Air in Sapporo. He was the first male snowboarder to compete and earn two “Air and Style” medals in both the Nokia Air and Style competition in Munich (2007) and the Billabong Air and Style Innsbruck (2008). Pearce also went on to win the 2007-08 Swatch TTR Snowboard Tour, earning the TTR World Tour Champion Title.
Athletes and " Frends"
About 2½ years ago Pearce and six of his boarding friends renamed their crew the Frends—the “i” deliberately missing to represent selflessness and exclusion of ego. Pearce, in a Huffington Post interview (Boeke, E. HuffingtonPost.com. Not Your Regular 21 Year Old Snowboarder: An Interview with Kevin Pearce. ) explained that the Frends came about naturally. “My friends and I all had obligations to all of our sponsors, but we wanted something to bring us together in a team forum. Snowboarding is such an individual sport, this is the great way to add our support together - and have each other's back.” The Frends, Mason Aguirre is 22; Danny Davis, 21; Keir Dillon, 30; Scotty Lago, 22; Jack Mitrani, 20; and Luke Mitrani 19, formed their alliance in response to the aggressively competitive corporate vibe coming into snowboarding.
Kevin has the strength and support of his three older brothers and parents Pia and Simon- and of course his dedicated fans. If you are interested in sending cards or other correspondence:
Kevin Pearce – Craig Hospital
3425 S. Clarkson Street
Englewood, CO 80113
To download free buttons and banners for a website, twitter, or printables check out:
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References:
KevinPearce.com. Kevin Update #9. (accessed March 10, 2010).
Konstand, A. The SkiChannel.com. Update on Injured Snowboarder Kevin Pearce. (accessed February 13, 2010).
Murphy, A. SportsIllustrated.com. The Rise (and Falls) of the Double Mctwist Kid. (accessed February 13, 2010).
Transworldsnowboarding .com. Kevin Pearce Update. (accessed February 12, 2010).
Sturgeon, W. OlympicsFanhouse.com. Injured Kevin Pearce Still has Long, Arduous Road to Recovery. (accessed February 12, 2010).
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