BMX rider TJ Lavin regains consciousness, undergoes surgery on wrist
BMX athlete TJ Lavin, who regained consciousness Saturday, underwent surgery Wednesday to stabilize his broken wrist.
"TJ is out of surgery and looking great. Everything went well," Lavin's friend, Cesar Flores told ESPN.com.
Lavin, 33, was critically injured when he crashed Oct. 14 during qualifying at the Dew Tour Championships in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas native suffered bleeding on the brain, a broken wrist and an orbital fracture.
Lavin has made significant progress in his recovery since emerging from a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain. As of Wednesday, Lavin was talking, answering questions and able to walk down the hall with assistance.
To help raise funds for Lavin's recovery, friend and fellow BMX rider Tim "Fuzzy" Hall is auctioning off a vintage Mongoose BMX bike on eBay, with all proceeds being donated toward both Lavin's and Ty Pinney's recovery. Pinney, also from Las Vegas, crashed on Lavin's backyard BMX dirt course the day before Lavin's accident. Pinney was placed in a medically induced coma and is five beds away from Lavin in the trauma unit of the University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
"There is going to be a huge tribute/fundraiser for both riders Nov. 19 in Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel. I would like to have the bike sold to the highest bidder by then and announce the winner that night," Hall said.
-- Kelly Burgess
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Photo: TJ Lavin. Credit: Dew Tour
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BMX athlete TJ Lavin remains unconscious but reportedly breathing on his own
BMX rider TJ Lavin remains in medically induced coma at Las Vegas hospital
BMX star TJ Lavin in critical condition after accident during Dew Tour event qualifying
Damn well said! So much hate in this world. We as humans focus on everyone elses business. We are not immune to flaws because of privilige; be that money, race or power. We should treat each like we have taught our children to treat each other like you would want to be treated. Give symphathy to the person not the system of insurance. And I hope there's nothing but full recoverys to both. I know personally how tough life is after a serious accident and life is never the same. I was given a second chance on life and still struggle with physical and mental scars; not to forget financially ruined. He's extremely lucky to have friends to have his back; mad love!
Posted by: Gypsyfish | November 10, 2010 at 07:28 AM
Um, just cause he is on TV does not mean he has the best insurance in the world. He has not worked in almost a month and he has a mortgage, bills, credit cards and more. He was sent into an induced coma, you know what kind of money that takes? Even the best insurance is going to cover like 30% of that, that means the hundreds of thousands of dollars that he is required to pay out of his pocket on top of his normal life.
Also, he has brain damage and bad body damage, he is in deep physical and mental therapy. What do you think he is going to run out of the hospital tomorrow, hop on a bike and go win another X-games? He doesn't even know he is famous, or why reporters are filming him, let alone how to pedal a bike or hold a microphone. Do you think he has the wherewithal to go host another show?
His money is going to run out extremely fast, well before he can work again. What is ridiculous is someone actually assuming that they know so much about his financial situation in addition to the outcome of this injury. We can only hope he can ride again, his passion, something he loved that is being taken away from one simple accident. Are you mad at him because he has such great friends that would step up to make sure he has the best possible outcome from this misfortune?
It's totally okay to think these things, but to post something that cold in an open forum shows what type of person you really are. I bet your parents are truly proud.
Posted by: Tiznull | November 05, 2010 at 10:12 PM
he makes a good point. Why would he need money to pay medical bills? How bout the people who actually need it? How bout this dude just sell all his stuff? How bout the guy who has insurance and just got an aneurysm rapture, but still cant afford all the medical bills.
Posted by: Brian | November 04, 2010 at 11:49 PM
have a little compassion!
Posted by: Gabe Gibby | October 31, 2010 at 05:09 AM
YOU are ridiculous pat, go back to football.
Posted by: crppplll | October 31, 2010 at 01:58 AM
Dude hasn't made enough $$, now his buddies are asking people to help pay his medical bills?
That's ridiculous
Posted by: pat | October 30, 2010 at 01:54 PM