Portland area freerider Paul Meeuwsen paralyzed in dirt bike accident
Jun 14, 2008
25 year-old Paul Meeuwsen was recently the victim of a tragic motorcycle accident jumping his dirt bike that broke his sternum and crushed the T-4 vertebrae in his spine and left him paralyzed from the chest down. He recently left OHSU and is now undergoing extensive physical and occupational therapy at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon in an attempt to rebuild his life and spirit.
His injuries are going to be very expensive. Paul can no longer work, he needs a place to live that is wheelchair accessible and a vehicle that is also wheel chair accessible and has hand controls to operate it as he can no longer has use of his feet. Paul is also planning on some very aggressive physical therapy to keep what strength and bone density he has in his legs and to work for as much improvement as is possible.
To help offset all of his expenses Paul's family and friends have set up a fund raising campaign in his honor through the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). All donations are tax deductible and are administered by NTAF for injury related expenses only.
If you are able and would like to contribute to this fund, please make checks payable to NTAF Great lakes Spinal Cord Injury Fund. Print in memo section: In honor of Paul Meeuwsen
Send to:
NTAF
150 N Radnor Chester Road Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087
For your convenience, NTAF is also able to accept credit card contributions by calling them at 1-800-642-8399, or for secure on-line contributions, log onto www.transplantfund.org
Trail Head Cycles in Hillsboro, Oregon will also be selling camo "Pray For Paul" bracelets to help pay for his medical expenses. Please e-mail Bernie Racher for updates on when those bracelets will be available, or call 866-9-DH-BIKE.
On behalf of Paul, his family and friends, we thank you for your generosity, support and prayers.
To help offset all of his expenses Paul's family and friends have set up a fund raising campaign in his honor through the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). All donations are tax deductible and are administered by NTAF for injury related expenses only.
If you are able and would like to contribute to this fund, please make checks payable to NTAF Great lakes Spinal Cord Injury Fund. Print in memo section: In honor of Paul Meeuwsen
Send to:
NTAF
150 N Radnor Chester Road Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087
For your convenience, NTAF is also able to accept credit card contributions by calling them at 1-800-642-8399, or for secure on-line contributions, log onto www.transplantfund.org
Trail Head Cycles in Hillsboro, Oregon will also be selling camo "Pray For Paul" bracelets to help pay for his medical expenses. Please e-mail Bernie Racher for updates on when those bracelets will be available, or call 866-9-DH-BIKE.
On behalf of Paul, his family and friends, we thank you for your generosity, support and prayers.
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153 Comments
- + 67
sid01
(Jun 14, 2008 at 1:43)
feel so sorry for that dude. i hope that he gets better and can ride again
i think kev-e should be paralyzed. then he'd know what it's like to made fun of by stupid prIcks like himself
Agreed. My condolences and I hope you get better soon dude. Keep positive, your the happiest guy I've seen in a hospital, and it's to people like that that miracles happen.
shit man. i felt so bad after reading this i went ahead and donated... if everyone donates a little it will come out to be alot.... props to paul and i hope he gets his life back...
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Sad news, it's awesome that he can be so positive after such an accident, props to him for looking on the bright side of things. I wish him good luck in getting his life on track!
roadie friend of my dad's got hit by a car a year of two ago, and was paralyzed from the chest down. docs said he'd never ride again. he's now re-learning to walk, and plans to be pedaling by christmas. never give up! i don't think that dude had a crushed vertebrae, but trying, paul. there are a lot of people supporting you!
it aint fair on anyone to go out like this guy needs as much help as possible come on everyone donate so we can help him
honestly, im almost embarassed to live in the same country as you after you make a stupid comment like that, you're probably sitting on you're computer envying poeple who are better then you, well this guy went out and tryed to make himself better and got hurt doing it....and now you're making fun of him for it?he's probably doing more in the hospital then you've done in last 3 months of your pathetic life. thats just disgracefull, think about what you say before you say it idiot
yeah i feel the same as bikerdude012,
thats weak z-man, go play in traffic
but hopefully you recover and good luck
thats weak z-man, go play in traffic
but hopefully you recover and good luck
i feel ashamed to live in the same country as z-man...there are some people who just ruin everybodys outlook on a certain thing..
Z man is likely talking about their health care system... but whatever...
Get well soon dude, all the best
Get well soon dude, all the best
Nope, he's a just the most disrespectful idiot thats ever posted a comment. Z-man you got a dose of bad karma....KOOK!
dude how the hell could he be refering to anythign but health care seriously....its half million dollers and you think you have "good" health care. i mean canada sucks for health care to but i mean just imagine if your country put all the money to there people instead of killing people in iraq.... is that disrispectful enough. regardless major heeling vibes dude,you look more positive then most would,focus on heeling back to normal all the time.
everyone has their own opinions. like eminem says. "things you joke about with your friends inside your living room"
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Why do we call these things accidents? When we're out there flying through the air we are taking risks. How much money did Mat Hoffman receive online as he laid in hospital beds and under scalpels? As much as I really do feel for this guy and know what it is like being laid up for months after surgeries I did not and will never ask for money. If I don't want to get hurt I'll take up golf. Sorry, but this is just my honest opinion.
called acciedents because we dont intend to fall and get hurt.
my and my familys wishes are with you as you start rehab and treatment.
Sam
my and my familys wishes are with you as you start rehab and treatment.
Sam
i just read the story about Tara Llanes and how she broke her back at Beaver Creek and had rods put in her spine from T12-L2 and is a paraplegic but should recover after lots of physio . But the hospital bill after everything
was $438.000.00... So support Pray for Paul bracelets and but one ..
was $438.000.00... So support Pray for Paul bracelets and but one ..
hey z-man America is f*cking way cooler and way better then what ever f*cking shitty country your living in you f*cking a*shole
jaydog, that comment lowers you to z-mans level so just keep your mouth shut. Hope you get better and never give up no matter how bleak the situation is!
ok jaydog, just cause one a*shole who has no life says something, you say his whole country is f*cked???, i can say the same thiung for you because george bush is your president, but that shouldnt reflect on everyone
tipical american up their.."then what ever f*cking shitty country your living in you f*cking a*shole" looks like someone doesn't know the flag of the country above him
jaydog and z-man, you guys are class acts! Get your act together and if you cannot put anything constructive together to say then just keep it to yourself. Society does not need trash talking individuals like yourselves. Grow up guys!
agreed. We need a flag specifically for the members that are insults to society so we don't have these Canada vs. America fights all the time.
=D
=D
both are countries are just great....
but we have to have these idiots that go and say shit like that and make problems.....
so this is to all the idots out there that have nothing better to do .....
GO GET A F*CKING LIFE!!
AND WERE PRAYING FOR YOU PAUL....
but we have to have these idiots that go and say shit like that and make problems.....
so this is to all the idots out there that have nothing better to do .....
GO GET A F*CKING LIFE!!
AND WERE PRAYING FOR YOU PAUL....
ya but elves, you didnt break a vertebre and weren told by many a doctor you wont ever walk. So what, its not his fault our government is in the crapper and we dont get free health care..
Take care and get better man
Take care and get better man
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Get well man!
Im praying for you!
I think what z-man was TRYING to say was that america doesent have cheap healthcare,I THINK.
Im praying for you!
I think what z-man was TRYING to say was that america doesent have cheap healthcare,I THINK.
That too but he was referring to health care. Ninety percent of the people on this website are pretty good but there's always that ten percent that take the short bus to idiot school.
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well, this is a total bummer,proves mountain bikes are better than dirtbikes but get well soon dude.
Nothing near what happened to you but i feel a fraction your pain.. broke my leg n ankle so i cant ride for at least a year... sry to hear it. Super healing vibes to you! Goodluck!
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Hey man, i dont know if you yourself will get to read this but i know what its like, i broke my back last summer during crankworx slopestyle qualifiers. its not a fun road but it does get easier. run_from_bears@hotmail.com if you want to email me.
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yeah i cracked my sternum, not nice at all. i can just imagine what a broken one feels like.
get better man.
get better man.
HEY THIS IS A 15YRS OLD BOYS MOM! AND I AM JUST CHECKING OUT THIS SITE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO SEE WHAT MY SON IS LOOKING AT AND I SAW YOUR STORY!
JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND MAYBE YOU CAN TURN THIS INTO SOMETHING GOOD, YOU KNOW BE A MENTOR FOR THESE GUYZ/GIRLZ ON THIS SITE! BE SOMEONE THEY LOOK UP TO! DREAM BIG PAUL! LOOK AT CHRISTOPER REEVES, AKA "SUPERMAN" HE WAS AN AMAZING PERSON!
GOOD LUCK AND BE ALL YOU CAN BE! IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY SUPPOPRT! ALL THE BEST TO THEM AS WELL. I HOPE THEY CAN BE THE POSITIVE SUPPORT THAT YOU WILL NEED DURING THESE HARD TIMES. L
JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND MAYBE YOU CAN TURN THIS INTO SOMETHING GOOD, YOU KNOW BE A MENTOR FOR THESE GUYZ/GIRLZ ON THIS SITE! BE SOMEONE THEY LOOK UP TO! DREAM BIG PAUL! LOOK AT CHRISTOPER REEVES, AKA "SUPERMAN" HE WAS AN AMAZING PERSON!
GOOD LUCK AND BE ALL YOU CAN BE! IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY SUPPOPRT! ALL THE BEST TO THEM AS WELL. I HOPE THEY CAN BE THE POSITIVE SUPPORT THAT YOU WILL NEED DURING THESE HARD TIMES. L
lmfao. so true. don;t try and find your sons porn. kids know more than their parents and you wont be able to find anything. and caps locks is on :s
ok so first moms this is pink bike not rate my body.com or sexbanditos.com
get better man, i ride a yz 250F and i couldnt imagine losing that ability
get better man, i ride a yz 250F and i couldnt imagine losing that ability
seems like injuries like this are happening every other week these days, it's tragic.
good luck with your recovery man
p.s. way to keep it positive with the hospital pick thats rad.
hope someday you can get back on the bike.
i wish u all the best and if all else fails, i expect some gnar wheel-chair shreddage.
good luck with your recovery man
p.s. way to keep it positive with the hospital pick thats rad.
hope someday you can get back on the bike.
i wish u all the best and if all else fails, i expect some gnar wheel-chair shreddage.
I'd like to give a shout-out to everyone who extended positive vibes to Paul here. I think this is the biggest collection of positive comments I've seen on this site to-date (except maybe the post about Tara Llanes). Also a personal shout-out to Jamie Minshall, the Meeuwsen family, and the entire Trail Head Cycles crew for organizing this and giving me the opportunity to share Paul's story with the rest of the world. We all love this sport and the progression that comes with it, which is why we come right back to it after we fall.
I came 3 inches from severing my spine in a street bike accident in 1994 (fractured L-1 to L-5 vertebrae, compressed disks between L-2 to L-5, broke a rib in two places, and shattered the left transverse process on L3) which stole my passion for street bikes and dirt bikes, but even after breaking my leg last year on my freeride bike, riding my bike is all I could think of while I was healing. While modern medicine played a big part in that, I think the inspiration and support I received from my friends and riding buddies played an even bigger role, and made me come back stronger as a rider.
Everybody keep the good will coming, and ride on!!
I came 3 inches from severing my spine in a street bike accident in 1994 (fractured L-1 to L-5 vertebrae, compressed disks between L-2 to L-5, broke a rib in two places, and shattered the left transverse process on L3) which stole my passion for street bikes and dirt bikes, but even after breaking my leg last year on my freeride bike, riding my bike is all I could think of while I was healing. While modern medicine played a big part in that, I think the inspiration and support I received from my friends and riding buddies played an even bigger role, and made me come back stronger as a rider.
Everybody keep the good will coming, and ride on!!
there was a guy near where i live that was on borderline paralyzation from a dirt bike accident and he went through months and months of physical therapy and i forgot the last report on him but i think he can walk some now.
Its always an inspiration when miracles happen
pull through buddy
Its always an inspiration when miracles happen
pull through buddy
this guy has as gd as lost his f*cking legs and all some people like(jaydog) care about is where people are from cant you show a bit of f*cking respect.
hope you get betta m8
hopefully that miricle that (gasman) is on about happens to u much love
hope you get betta m8
hopefully that miricle that (gasman) is on about happens to u much love
u will walk again and you will jump again and u will ride again do not worry we are all hoping for it and hopefully our positive vibes will do it for you
guy i know broke his back jumping a coyote dh2. 2 specialist doctors said he would never walk. hes now riding a giant trance x and keepin up with the best of them. i hope u get better dude. im sure ul be back jumping soon
that so sad and he is so positive...i wish the best for you man...i know you will pass this difficult moments...be brave..you will get better you will see
Sad news, it's awesome that he can be so positive after such an accident, props to him for looking on the bright side of things. I wish him good luck in getting his life on track!
konad and kev-hal are the same people just trying to make z-mans comments not look so bad. Dude don't use numerous accounts to make yourself sound better. NOT COOL
Get a downhill wheelchair! Free riding is whatever you make it, hope you have the quickest recovery possible.
get better, Remember what makes us human is the ability to prove that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. who has led the greater life, he who fought the storm of life, or he who sat contently on the shorline existing vicariously through the acts of others.... never stop fighting.
healing vibes to ya.
healing vibes to ya.
What Z-man siad pissed us all off, but you can't be looking at people's countries and policies right now when this is a different cause. Lay off the flaws of Canada and USA. Support Paul.
Im Very Sorry for you man your a killer biker and if i saw u on your bike again id shit my-self and say that dude gots balls people will remember till worlds end i hope u get better and ride again,
Peace out
Peace out
Sorry to hear this. Always sucks to hear a fellow rider go down. There was a kid who went down from a 40ft triple and unfortunately never survived. Im loving the "Look on the bright side" aspect he appears to be going through, thats a real riders attitude. I was lucky enough to escape without injury when i was landed on during a MX race back in 2004. Ended my career of MX racing, just in time to start riding mountain bikes.
Sure, we all take risks doing this sport, but we never think if these risks as something that will paralyze us, so go easy. As for donating? Great idea! We all would love to have the same support if we were in his shoes.
Im a firm beleiver in karma, now where's my cheque book...
Good luck with the recovery!
Sure, we all take risks doing this sport, but we never think if these risks as something that will paralyze us, so go easy. As for donating? Great idea! We all would love to have the same support if we were in his shoes.
Im a firm beleiver in karma, now where's my cheque book...
Good luck with the recovery!
is this coming from an emo??? ....f*ckn re**ard.
Hope you get better mate, Your lucky to have such a caring family
Hope you get better mate, Your lucky to have such a caring family
hey. i know a guy who was in a coma for 3 months because of his dirt bike. when he woke up he couldnt talk, eat, breath, move on his own. once he got some stregnth back he was only paralyzed from the waist down. he was told he would never walk again. he walking. he still shreds...a little bit slower, but shredding. stay strong
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I've read all the comments and would like to contribute one of my own. Unfortunately, there aren't so many guys on pinkbike representing Russia and contrivuting to the site, but still in our country we've got a strong riders' community. It's always an utterly fearful experience to hear of a fellow rider going down and getting seriously injured.
I myself experienced a serious head and neck trauma two years ago, and there are friends of mine who experienced broken spines and paralyzation but got back in the sport. I can say that as much as it hurt, as much as the situation appeared to be grave and hopless, the best thing one can do is keep positive and never give up his will to shred it!
On the behalf of all the Russian riders I'd like to wish Paul to recover and get well.
Hang in there man, stay strong!!!
I myself experienced a serious head and neck trauma two years ago, and there are friends of mine who experienced broken spines and paralyzation but got back in the sport. I can say that as much as it hurt, as much as the situation appeared to be grave and hopless, the best thing one can do is keep positive and never give up his will to shred it!
On the behalf of all the Russian riders I'd like to wish Paul to recover and get well.
Hang in there man, stay strong!!!
its not like he cant ride again he can buy one of those bikes with 4 wheels that the (handicap) use ive seen some sick ass rides with 4 fox dhx air 5.0 and deemax and codes and they still get the same feeling if not funner time going down the hill so they cant, through a trick but they can still ride.
paul,i feel for you. i can only imagine how hurtful it is both physical and emotional, not being able to do the thing you love most. i hope you get well soon. all the bad things happen to all the good people in life.
obviously your injuries dont even compare to my 3 knee blowouts but all i have to say is stay stong and keep the faith man cause thats what allows me to keep those pedals turning! best of luck.
i got paralyzed riding DH in poway, CA. and no one give two shits, f*ck this fool hes a bitch!!! the only help he needs is in his own god damn head did i have help naw, did i find a place to live hell naw, i had to mod my chair so it would fit through doorways, did i have handouts for medical bills HELL NO!!! IM still in debt oh btw im T5-12 Complete! these post make me sick and only a quadraplegic needs a special car to get in and out of. i drive a Mercedes c class sedan i got portable hand controls f*ck all this "wheelchair accessible " bullshit. You guys are f*cking idiots every single last one of you being paraplegic doesnt mean you need everything "accessible" in fact all you guys are blowing this whole thing way outta proportion and making the "community" think of these things as a huge tragedy when its not And only weak minded people become depressed and have bitter isssues over it!!!! he needs to get outta the hospital ASAP get outta the body brace ASAP and get on with his life !!,go back to work any way possible there are lots of desk jobs get a normal f*ckin sedan throw some hand controls on it and learn how to take his chair apart himself and put it in the car with that accomplished life becomes ten million times more normal as abnormal as its going to be. STay up pimpin and f*ck all you other dumb ass's. To be honest i was looking out for every single rider in so cal when i got hurt and DIDNT sue the City of poway CA and get the whole lil MTn bike freeride DH mecca Up there at TEd williams CLOSED THE f*ck DOWN like i could have 4 years ago.
SORRY for the RANT ( to the admins of this site)
SORRY for the RANT ( to the admins of this site)
Seriously dude you should just been killed, waste of space of f&*king space!! Not the place to moan about your on pathetic little life!
All the best to Paul - these guys are going bigger and bigger for our pleasure and the risks are getting bigger, Lanes, Murrey etc Gotta support em when things go wrong
All the best to Paul - these guys are going bigger and bigger for our pleasure and the risks are getting bigger, Lanes, Murrey etc Gotta support em when things go wrong
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Get well dude, You will pull through and once you do you will be on your feet and putting your life back on track,
Stay strong
Stay strong
hey sd202 show a little respect for the guy why dont ya? of course there are many many other people who are worse off than he is and might not be getting any attention for it but what the hell does that have to do with him? he didnt do anything wrong here and i think u should go rant about your personal bullshit somewhere else cuz no one wants to put up with it.
as for paul- i really hope you get better and u just gotta keep pushin through, dont give up, you can do anything. dont let anything hold u back
good luck bro!
as for paul- i really hope you get better and u just gotta keep pushin through, dont give up, you can do anything. dont let anything hold u back
good luck bro!
If you ever wanted to try mountain biking you could try the bikes that these guys are using. I have more respect for these guys then anybody riding 2 wheels. Good luck wish you a great recovery!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wOGDpg68VTg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wOGDpg68VTg&feature=related
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i donated 100 $ to him good luck man that is so tragic but im sure youll get better and live the life
that kev guy is an idiot!
i broke my back in october 2007 but wasnt parrelized.
i hav been riding since but im thinking not to doit any more so it doesnt do it any damage
i broke my back in october 2007 but wasnt parrelized.
i hav been riding since but im thinking not to doit any more so it doesnt do it any damage
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Was that photo the specific jump he crashed on? Either way sorry man I hope your re-hab goes well and you get as much feeling back as you can - take care Paul
sucks i just donated i feel that that guy needs a 4 cross bike (mtb with four wheels)
hope you fell better
hope you fell better
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