Video: Fabien Barel Presents - The Slow Road to Recovery
It’s no secret that our man Fabien Barel took a nasty crash a few months ago at the opening round of the EWS in Chile. Of course the first reaction from most of Fab’s fans has been, “how is he? And when can we see him race again?” But as the details of his injury became clear, the next thought was simply relief and a sense of good luck. With a badly fractured vertabra, Fab was very close to suffering nerve damage that would have made riding (or walking for that matter) a much more dubious prospect.
I know that recovery will be long, I know the recovery won't be 100% but we are living a unique life's that is a privilege... And this with no doubt keeps me going!"
Thanks Fab for taking time to give all your fans some good news! We're all out here pushing for you. For now, the Fab Barel Presents series is on hold while he spends the summer regaining strength. We hope to see him back on the bike soon, in new episodes of FBP.
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Go Fabien Go!
This is how I ended my week in Hafjell last year: peecee.dk/uploads/062014/Lillehammer_sygehus.jpg
Overshot the Roller Coaster roadgap and went straight into a big ass pine. Result - L1, L2 and L3 busted up.
The nice doctors told me that I was lucky and that I would probably be able to return to mountain biking after 12 months of healing, rehabilitation and weight training to get my back working again. 12 months...
After 3 months I was training on spinning bikes and rowing machines.
After 6 months I was deadlifting over 100kg (220lbs) again and picked up my hardtail XC.
Now (after 10 months) i do at least 150km. XC/AM a week, and DH whenever I get the chance.
I understand that everyone is different and that no injuries are the same. But nothing can stop you from returning faster and stronger if you just won't give up, no matter how long it will take, how hard it will be or how much pain you have to go through. Nothing.
Actually I agree with you both- you should never ever give up. I certainly didn't.
The only thing I would add is that there will come a point regardless of who you are when your body will not repair or return to that level of performance. I certainly didn't feel like I had hit my limit yet after my accident as 10 months afterward I went over the bars and fell 15 feet down a ravine and broke two more ribs.
I think the better point I should have made is that "if" someone doesn't get back to original 100% they were at originally to still count your blessing anyways, take what you have been given and go at 100% of what you have.
@game hopefully it was all skeletal for nygaard, doctor said I was lucky to have skeletal not torn ligaments, no crushed or herniated discs just bone. Of course then he said arthritis would catch up with me eventually and it has; slow effects of aging and continuing to ride as hard as I can.
Ive been they're and Nygaard says never give up, in my case I'll never be like before, too much vertebrae and nerve damage, I have about 30% neck movement! I had a hang mans fracture, but also damaged my vertebrae to my pelvis and brain damage which is good now but I still get very fatigued struggle at times to get things right, but 3 year.s on from that I was racing again DH and now Enduro Im getting back on the DH again and @ 46 the only thing that can hold you back is you, over coming people is the biggest challenge I faced the injury while debilitating after awhile almost became a relief, you find out who you're friends are and what you are truly made of when challenged with adversity, for that I thank my injury, but. I will never be the same physically or the same person again, experience changes you.
People forget what we do is dangerous, these things can happen to anyone anytime, injury is not selective to skill person or level its indiscriminate and many people,have forgotten a: this is why we do it to get that thrill feel the fear and do it anyway, but it has its dangers, its life but on 2 wheels on dirt in nature, and nothing can deal harder than nature!
However Fab I'm a huge fan and can't wait to see you come back dude, you have always been a huge inspiration too me and many others fer sure, I know if anyone can make it back to the top, never give up never surrender if its what you really want to do!
Focus on each day not too far ahead, good hunting my man and keep updating us with your journey back to the bike and beyond
Mav.
A legend (not only) for that NWD 8 segment, that still ranks among the best video segments ever: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKq4XsPv6vA
And an idol for what you not only did for the sport but also beyond that, thinking especially of your commitment with urge.
Hope to see you back on the bike soon!