"JEM" (jem)
08/11/2013 at 21:23 • Filed to: None
5
0|
"JEM" (jem)
08/11/2013 at 21:23 • Filed to: None | 5
| 0 |
Parnelli Jones is one of the top names in American motor racing, from TRANS-AM to Indy to off-road racing he's been there, done that, and probably won whatever it was a few times. If you've ever heard of a Boss 302 Mustang, I'm hopefully preaching to the choir here so help fill in the rest of the congregation.
What most people don't know (and I didn't until yesterday watch the B-J auction) is that Parnelli had two sons, both accomplished racers in their own right. What possibly even fewer people know is that he nearly lost one of his sons, Page, in a race at Eldora Speedway in 1994. Heading through turns 3 and 4, Page's car lost traction, clipped the wall, then flipped.
Then another sprint car came barreling into his roll cage.
For days it was unknown whether he would even survive his numerous injuries. The worst of which was a brain injury. His prognosis must surely have surely included the word "vegetable" at some point, especially in less PC times.
Page has spend the last 20 years learning to walk, put on shoes, go up stairs, talk, get something from the next room, etc... to quote his family "it's like teaching a 6 foot tall infant." Page is now married with a family and employed at his father in law's shop in California.
I'd like to think I'm a fairly tough person. I've been through major knee surgery and the pain/meds coming out of that was a certain point of hell that made a root canal look like your first kiss. I know what 3 months of rehab is like. I can't even begin to imagine what 20+ years of rehab is like. I also can't even begin to imagine how strong a person has to be to not give up, and how amazing a family must be to never give up with them.
The Jones family are currently making a documentary about Page's life and recovery. Donations and more information can be found at:
Fore more reading:
http://www.hammerdownusa.com/JonesPage.htm