Kevin Pearce's Parents Express Gratitude for Outpouring of Support in the Wake of Accident
Kevin Pearce sustained serious brain injury after he completed a twisting double back flip and landed on his head while training at Park City, Utah.
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January 4, 2010
One of America's top snowboarders and an Olympic hopeful Kevin Pearce sustained serious brain injury after he completed a twisting double back flip and landed on his head while training at Park City, Utah. In the days since, his family has received a great deal of comfort from friends and strangers alike who have been moved by his story.
According to the University of Utah Hospital, the 22-year-old remains in critical condition. Jake Burton Carpenter, the founder of Burton Snowboards, has been among many friends who have visited him at the facility, the New York Times reports.
Carpenter wrote on the Facebook page established to support Pearce that he was "incredibly optimistic after seeing Kevin, and more importantly knowing what a fighter he is," quoted by the news source.
He also stressed the importance of the thoughts and prayers offered by fans to co-surviving family during this difficult time.
The Center for Disease Control estimates that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect approximately 1.4 million Americans each year. Although about 75 percent of them are mild, individuals involved in accidents should receive medical evaluation even in the absence of symptoms, as some types of damage take time to develop.
For those who suffer more significant injuries, early and intensive rehabilitation can lead to substantial functional improvements.
Families affected by a similar adversity may consult the resources of organizations such as the Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Trauma Foundation and the Family Caregiver Alliance, all of which accept donations.
One of America's top snowboarders and an Olympic hopeful Kevin Pearce sustained serious brain injury after he completed a twisting double back flip and landed on his head while training at Park City, Utah. In the days since, his family has received a great deal of comfort from friends and strangers alike who have been moved by his story.
According to the University of Utah Hospital, the 22-year-old remains in critical condition. Jake Burton Carpenter, the founder of Burton Snowboards, has been among many friends who have visited him at the facility, the New York Times reports.
Carpenter wrote on the Facebook page established to support Pearce that he was "incredibly optimistic after seeing Kevin, and more importantly knowing what a fighter he is," quoted by the news source.
He also stressed the importance of the thoughts and prayers offered by fans to co-surviving family during this difficult time.
The Center for Disease Control estimates that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect approximately 1.4 million Americans each year. Although about 75 percent of them are mild, individuals involved in accidents should receive medical evaluation even in the absence of symptoms, as some types of damage take time to develop.
For those who suffer more significant injuries, early and intensive rehabilitation can lead to substantial functional improvements.
Families affected by a similar adversity may consult the resources of organizations such as the Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Trauma Foundation and the Family Caregiver Alliance, all of which accept donations.
