[MARRC-announce] Update on Mark Deery's Injury

[celticracing@juno.com]

I just returned from the Hospital, and I am pleased to report that Mark is in his usual good spirits, with his usual positive attitude.  Of course, the painkillers are helping, I'm sure.

Mark destroyed his C5 vertebrae and cracked his c6.

Mark had his second operation last night to replace the C5 with bone from his hip, and to put more metal plates in C6 to provide support.  They consider him to be structurally very stable now, and expect him to have close to a full, or full recovery.  He will have to wear the neck brace for two months, but he may be discharged as early as Friday and the operations are considered to be a great success.

Mark is a great guy.  

He raced an FZR400 and just before his accident, he had contributed $100 to the Move the Mountain Fund to improve safety at Summit Point.  He was always very generous.  He is also the marketing director for Rausch Creek Raceway, near I-81 in Pennsylvania.  He supported the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club, driving long distances to attend video night, as an example.  He did more than his share to support racing, much more.

But he is also a loving husband to his wife Debi, a great son to his mother and father, and has two kids (8 and 2 years old) of whom he is very proud.  All this, and Mark is only 28 years old.

I have nominated Mark for the MARRC Injured Members Fund, but that is not a large amount of money.  I do not know what impact this injury will have upon his fiscal situation.  But,I do know that Mark would love to hear from all his racing and riding friends.  Again, his snai mail address is:

Mark Deery
8093 Cross Creek Circle
Breiningsville, PA  18031

Tom