Gee Atherton Takes First Steps After Massive Crash 3 Weeks Ago

 55 here, can confirm.

 I'm not sure its fair to say he's "needing to learn how to walk" here. That is usually said about people with spinal cord or head injuries, where they really do have to re-learn how to walk (and do many other things) because their motor functions have been impaired their injuries. Gee broke his femur. He's likely just dealing with pain, swelling, etc, not actually learning how to walk again.

 @sino428: sort of. With a serious break there is often nerve damage as well. I broke my leg in half and my first few weeks of PT was training my leg how to function properly again. It was a weird feeling. My brain was telling it what to do, it just wouldn't do it.

 It's not an unreasonable approach. Some of these injuries linger for a long time, or can accelerate problems (arthritis et al).

 Comments like these don't surprise me in the general public but they do surprise me to see here on PB despite it being somewhat common. It only demonstrates a lack of understanding for what the sport is at this level and more importantly, a respect for the unique the mindset and passion of those who pursue it. To be fair, the vast majority of people lack this understanding . But what they really miss is that for those who live this, it's what makes them who they are.

 @DriverB: Plenty of pro athletes give up the sport because they still want to be able to walk when they're 55. Motorsports, team sports, extreme sports, etc. Your body can only take so much, no matter if that "makes them who they are". Gee likes rallying, no shame at all to switch to drive race cars for a living and hang up the bike competitively.

 @matadorCE: There are plenty of examples of athletes walking away, but the vast majority do not. Its notable when players walk away because its so rare. When it happens it a big story because 99% of athletes don't stop playing until they are basically forced out the door, whether that be getting cut in team sports, or not finding sponsorships in action sports. The poster above is right when he says that sports are what makes these people who they are. Athletes at the highest levels have in most cases been at the top of their sports for a long time, since they were kids most times. Its in most cases their entire lives. They don't know life without the sports they play and its hard to walk away.

 Its about the 2nd thing they get you to do.

No stairs no going home...

(Broken pelvis, major surgery and a later hip replacement makes me very familiar with this...)