Tom's Bio:

Tom was born July 14, 1959 and he will be 49 this year. He grew up in Northridge California in the West San Fernando Valley.  He attended Cleveland High School and was on the Varsity Track and Football Teams.  When Tom graduated in 1977, he entered Cal State Northridge as a pre-med student.  At CSUN he once again got involved in athletics and joined the Water and Snow Ski Teams. He transferred to Los Angeles Trade Tech College and received a degree in Electrical Contracting & Motor Control. Tom met Kim in 1982 and they were married September 21, 1984.

After collage he kept physically active.  To skiing he added golf, hiking, motorcycles, softball, running, and in 1986 he started cycling. Riding for pleasure and for sport, he rode both mountain and road bikes. He has been a sponsor of the Santa Clarita Velo, a local cycling club for 8 years.

Tom started his own business 20 years ago in 1988.  The same year as Santa Clarita was incorporated, and the same year Christopher was born.

By 1992 he had three boys Christopher, now 20, Danny, now 18, and Alex, now 16. He has spent many years coaching soccer & football

 

 

Injury: January 20, 2008

 

While dirt bike riding with family and friends in the California Desert, Tom went over handle bars. While rate of speed was not determined, he was in 4th gear.  Tom went head first into an embankment some 10 feet away.  He never lost consciousness, and knew from the beginning his injury was bad.  Todd and Danny stayed with him while Alex and Tim went for help. A helicopter arrived on scene 45 minutes after injury.  He was taken to Kern Medical Center Trauma Unit.

 

Extent of injury:

  • Broken back at T-7. break is stable, doesn’t require surgery
  • Swelling in the spinal cord at C-4 & C-5 causing unknown amount of permanent paralysis
  • 3” skull fracture and right orbital socket crushed
  • Right optic nerve intact with unknown amount of permanent damage
  • Both cheekbones were crushed inward toward his brain
  • Complete fracture of all sinus cavities through to the brain causing air pockets in his skull
  • Nose was crushed, teeth and jaw undamaged, but wired shut to stabilize the face

 

Today

·        Facial factures healing great. Little to no swelling or bruising.

·        CAT scan clean – no loss of brain function

·        He is off vent – breathing on his own but still has the tracheotomy

·        He has five titanium plates in his face

·        Feeding peg inserted into his stomach

·        He is frustrated with his deterioration and loss of endurance over the past weeks

·        He wants to survive

·        He wants to do what ever it takes to get the most that he can

·        Really wants ice cold Coke and big Six Dollar Burger!

 

Every morning Tom and Kim have a pep talk; ‘were going to make it; what ever it takes we will do it. This is a new life and it will be different, but still deserving of love and joy and happiness and beauty. This is going to be a good story some day.’

 

Prognosis: unknown as to the extent of functional recovery.  Doctors have been contradictory. We have heard given everything from a wheelchair that he must maneuver with a straw; 24 hour care; to walking with a walker; driving a specially converted vehicle.

We all know how strong Tom’s will is. Watch his website for updates on the miraculous recovery taking place! Tomsrecovery.com