Shaun's improving
By TMX Archives on 6th May 09
RED Bull KTM factory rider, Shaun Simpson (pictured above with his family) remains in hospital in Eeklo, Belgium, following his operation last week to address the various injuries he sustained during a training accident on Wednesday, April 29, at Ersel, Holland. Simpson, 21, who had earned his first ever Grand Prix race win just three days prior to the accident, is now likely to remain in hospital until Friday of this week to minimise the risk of infection and to reduce the chance of complications following his successful operation last Thursday.
While Shaun's main area of injury are the various fractures to his lower left leg, further x-rays and scans have also revealed other minor injuries to his battered body. These include a small crack in his left heel, a chipped bone in the knee on the same side, a chipped left wrist and some slight ligament damage both in his pelvic area and in his left elbow.
Shaun has been allowed out of bed in more recent days, although his movement has been restricted to a nearby chair due to him still being connected to a drip as part of his infection management treatment. It was hoped that on Tuesday, the 90-degree cast currently on his left arm would be removed and replaced with a more user-friendly support that will allow Shaun more manoeuvrability.
While Doctor Ghyjselings remains pleased with Shaun's initial progress and is confident of a full recovery, it is still too early for him to provide an accurate indication of when Shaun will be back racing again.
Simpson explained: I am gradually getting my head around the situation and I am now looking forward to getting out of hospital later this week. I know in my own mind that it is probably going to be at least three-months before I will be allowed anywhere near a bike. The most important thing is for me to keep taking steps in the right direction and to make sure that I am 100 per cent before I start riding again.
I am under no pressure from KTM or anyone else to rush my recovery, so it is really going to be a case of taking one day at a time.
Shaun continued: My first goal is to be fit enough to be a spectator at the British GP at Mallory Park at the end of this month, and perhaps I will even be well enough to sign a few autographs.
In the meantime, I would like to thank all those people who have sent me messages over the last week. The kind words are very much appreciated and have given me a much needed boost at this difficult time.
Well-wishers can continue to send their personal messages to Shaun via his official website www.shaunsimpson.com
Updates will continue to be posted on the news pages on the site.