June 22, 2006
From Tony Gardea, Next Level Sports Management
Hello everyone –
Ernesto is doing very well in his rehab in Colorado. He and his wife Carolina and mother Catalina are truly the most courageous people I have ever been around. To think what Ernesto has gone through the past four months is disheartening. But to see how he has handled what has been dealt to him, this terrible injury and the impact it has on his everyday life, inspires me beyond belief. Ernesto has handled his spinal cord injury with the same determination and colorful spirit that had gotten him to the top of the professional motocross world.
He continues to improve little by little as he follows the advance routine of his doctors, nurses and therapists. He now is free of all the hardware that was placed on/in him at the Riverside hospital, which means good riddance to the neck brace, breathing tubes and feeding tubes. He is freely moving around in a manual wheelchair (that’s right, he is able to get around in a chair with the full use of his arms and hands!) and, actually, on a recent trip, I had his doctor tell me “Ernesto is one of the most active patients that have ever had … the nurses have a hard time finding him!” He and Carolina, and his mom, regularly get out of the hospital to eat or to go shopping and have done everything they can to maintain his previously busy lifestyle.
His weekdays consist of a 9 am to 4 pm work schedule that includes physical work out routines and therapy, both occupational and physical. He is also studying for his GED, which he hopes to complete over time. He has his own room now and spends the night with Carolina, who is supposed to sleep in her own bed but some times she slips into Ernesto’s bed in the early morning hours!
They seem very committed to making the best of his situation and have not given up on the hope of walking. He currently has no feeling below his chest, but on the brighter side, he is getting stronger in his shoulders, arms and wrists. He is able to use his hands, although limited, but he is working hard everyday to improve in that area. He can feed himself, hold a phone and is working on getting better with a computer.
So things are really looking up for Ernesto and we all pray everyday for his long term health, both physically and mentally. He is a strong person and has used the support and well wishes of his fans, friends and sponsors. The letters continue to pour in and he really does appreciate all that people have done.
Thanks again for the support and continue to check in to his web site www.ernestofonseca.com for updates and photos on his recovery.
Tony Gardea
Next Level Sports Management
28202 Cabot Road,
Suite 300
Laguna Nigel, CA 92677 |
