Kyle Greenwalt Seriously Injured

[andy417]

My friend Kyle Greenwalt crashed this past weekend while practicing at Blue Diamond Motocross Park this past Sunday. He had to be helicoptered out of the facility and rushed to the Christiana Hospital. He was found to have a broken neck. He broke the C4 vertibrate in his neck and had to get surgery to replace it with a different bone and get a plate put in for support. He's was put on a breathing tube because he's been having trouble breathing. Just yesterday they took him off but he was just put back on it. When he was first in the hospital he had no movement of his arms or legs. He now has a little bit of movement in his arms (not much) and still is unable to move his legs, however he can feel if someone is touching his feet. I just talked to his mom on the phone, and as of now, it's looking like he'll be out of the hospital by next week sometime and moved to a rehab center for three months or so.

Kyle just turned 13 years old less than a month ago and for someone who does nothing but ride and skateboard, its very hard to be in a state like this. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met and one of my better friends. It's really hard to see someone your close to like this, i couldn't imagine what his families going through.

If everyone could please keep Kyle in their thoughts and prayers it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Andy

[Gatlin5]

Andy,

Thanks for posting Kyle's story. We are so sorry to hear your friend has been hurt so badly. It sounds like there are a lot of positive signs for this sevre of an injury.

When you first contacted us and you said your good friend was hurt I thought you were quite a bit older and your friend too. I'm surprised at how young Kyle is, but that will work in his favor.

Let's stay in touch. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Warmest regards,

Joe

PS: If you are Kyle's age I'm very impressed how you handle yourself and your writing skills.

[50ccMoM]

Andy,

Please tell Kyle we are praying for him and his family. My son is also a district six rider.

I have been trying to get some info. posted on the dist. site. I will contact Patti.


Again, thank you for sharing Kyles story.



Angie Koch (11E's Mom)

[TwinTurbos]

Andy,
When you can let Kyle and his family know that there are many people thinking of them and hoping Kyle has a speedy recovery. You're a good friend to post his story. Please keep us up to date on how he is doing.
You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

[50ccMoM]

There is an update posted on our District website on Kyle. I have contacted his mom Barb about joining the forum. I also asked permission to post the update over here.

They have had too put in a trach. They are also having problems with fever and they are changing his antibiotics.

Everyone needs to say an extra prayer today for young Kyle.

They have chosen a rehab hospitol in Philadephia, PA. As of this time no one knows when he will be stable enough to be transferred.


Angie

[Gatlin5]

Hi Angie,

Thanks for the update. Thoughts and prayers going out to Kyle, please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help.

God Bless Kyle, we are all thinking of you!

Joe

[50ccMoM]

Posted by Barb98 on 5/22/2006, 11:25 am, in reply to "Re: Kyle 98 Update"
User logged in as: mx198

Angie,
I did have a brief moment to look at this. And need more time to look through it, when I get some time I will. Wow, what a site.
But you may post his updates, and I will leave our address at the bottom of this post.

Andy, you brought tears to my eyes, I didn't think I had any tears left. You are an amazing kid, and I love you, as you well know, thanks for writing the story, and come hang out soon, please.

Kyle is still fighting the breathing and pneumonia, looks like he'll be in CICU for at least another week or so. I will write more later.
Thank you all so very much!

Kyle Greenwalt
1548 Wayne Dr.
West Chester, PA 19382

Love, Greenwalt Racing 98

[50ccMoM]

This is an update posted by Barb. Barb is Kyles mom. Barb gave me permission to post updates from our Dist. 6 site.


Angie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks again for all the prayers.

Well, they ended up putting the trach in. He now has trach in place, a tube in his nose for feeds, and one down his mouth for stomach and bowel problems now. New course of antibotics and he's still fighting fevers. He's just feeling crummy at the moment. We are trying to keep his spirits up, and friends visiting helps make him laugh now and then.
No more movement that we know of, and just trying to keep him comfortable for now is a job. We have picked Magee Rehab in Phila for him to go to as soon as he is medically stable. Not sure when that will be, but I'll be sure to let you all know.

[Gatlin5]

Angie,

Thanks for posting the update and Barb thanks for checking in.

God, I really feel for you guys. There is nothing worse than when our child does not feel well and to have to endure something like this is just awful.

Please know we are here thinking and praying for Kyle and your family. If there is something we can assist with please let us know.

Joe

[bsavidge]

Yesterday [5/21/06] the kids raced at Dutchmen. So many riders and their parents asked about Kyle and wanted to know what they could do. For now, I asked them pray for him and his family.
Barb, Matt, Jess, KYLE...I hope you can feel the outpouring of love and support from D6 members!
Stay strong; but, don't be afraid to ask us for help...

Love,
Savidge Racing
25sMom

[ps91]

Kyle, we are praying for your recovery. Keep your spirits up and keep those nurses running!

Please keep us up to date on Kyle's progress.

Andy, what a good writer you are! Post here once in a while to let us know how your friend is doing.

[50ccMoM]

Update from our Dist 6 website ....


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Posted by D6 points on 5/24/2006, 12:28 am
User logged in as: Parent60

Sleepy is taking donations for the Greenwalt family at this weekend's race and the Swarr's are offering to MATCH donations! We all hope Kyle gets well and makes a full recovery. The following message was posted by Sleepy Hollow:
"As you may know Kyle Greenwalt #98 suffered a serious accident and is in the hospital with a trach and no movement in his legs. We will be taking donations for Kyle Satuday evening and Sunday.
Sleepy Hollow will match any amount of Money donated.
Please keep Kyle in your prayers.

Sleepy Hollow"

[bsavidge]

I have been in contact with Patti [D6 pointskeeper] about setting up a fund for donations towards Kyle's medical expenses. I will post information when the account is set up at the bank.

I spoke to Barb G. last night...Kyle's feeding tube was removed and today they are going to try to begin gradually weaning him off the breathing support. Magee Rehab in Philadelphia has accepted him as a patient; and, hopefully he will be transferred there soon.

Thanks to everyone who has offered to help and are praying for him!

Barb S.
Savidge Racing

[50ccMoM]

Posted by Barb 98 on 5/24/2006, 4:30 pm
***************************************
Hey Everyone.
First let me update you all on Kyle's condition.
For those of you that don't know Kyle was injured on May 7th, doing what he loves to do, and was out there enjoying his brand new KX250F. He was flown into Christiana Trama Center, in DE. They have been amazing. He broke his neck, and has a severly bruised spinal cord injury, surgery was performed to replace C4, and now has a plate and screws, fusing C3-C4-C5 together. When you break C4 it effects your diaphram, so breathing becomes a problem. His breathing tube came out shortly after surgery, only to have it placed again, on Wed morning of that week. The pneumonia set in, and also he aspirated some vomit right before surgery, so that caused more problems, and a partial lung collapse as well. After two weeks the breathing tubes had to be removed and a trach inserted, and there has been many problems with that as well, we are now on trach #3 for this week. Hopefully this one works and he can start to come off the vent soon, and we'll see how his breathing is on his own. But we are still battling the pneumonia, and the lung.
We have chosen one of the best rehabs in the country, in Phila, Magee Rehab. Thats when the real work will begin. He has to be medically stable to go there, still not sure when that well be at this point. He has at the moment, full motion of his head, neck, shoulders and arms,(biceps and triceps), but is getting weak from all this laying around. Nothing in his fingers yet, or from mid chest down. He has some feeling but no movement. He has been cleared to eat whatever he wants finally, so that's good news, but hasn't eaten anything as of yet, feeling sick to his stomach with the bowel problems, but hope to have those cleared up soon, and back to his ice cream, cereal, starburst, poptart, gadorade, diet real soon.

I need to thank from the bottom of our hearts, our family, friends (Kyle & Jesse's as well), coworkers, and most of all our racing family. All the cards, emails, visitors, phone calls, gifts, donations, thoughts and prayers, the love and support has been overwhelming. I don't have the words to tell you all what it means to us, so I will just say Thank You, each and every one of you.
I will keep you updated as much as I can, and hope to see most of you soon somewhere.
Ride hard, ride safe!!!
Love, The Greenwalt Race Team
Kyle Greenwalt
1548 Wayne Dr.
West Chester, PA 19382

Home: 610-793-1173
Barb's Cell: 484-356-4890
Matt's Cell: 610-389-3606
Jess's Cell: 713-894-5065

P.S. Say a little prayer for him when you read this

[Tatonka]

Kyle and the entire Greenwalt family -

You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry to hear about your crash and injuries. Please know that there is a strong family of fellow riders & their families across the country who are pulling for you & wishing you all the best with your recovery. Be strong and take care, we hope you get to the Magee Rehab center soon. Keep us updated on your progress.

[Gatlin5]

Dear Kyle and Family,

Good to hear that you are overcoming these challenges and are getting strong enough to be sent to the rehab center.

I can only begin to try and imagine how hard it must be for you every day. Please know that there are a lot of us out there pulling for you, thinking and praying for you daily. Take it one day at a time and don't look to far to the future, concentrate on what needs to be done today, keep a positive attitude, don't let the negative thoughts have any power over you and you will be surprised at what each day will bring and the gains you will make. It is your body that is hurt right now, your spirit is intact and ready to help guide you through this challenge, you just need to look within.

God Bless and please let us know what we can do to help.

Joe

[bsavidge]

An account has been opened at the Lebanon Valley Farmers Bank for donations towards Kyle's medical expenses and rehabilitation needs. All monies collected will be forwarded to the Greenwalt family to use as needed for Kyle.

Checks should be made payable to: The KYLE GREENWALT BENEFIT FUND

Donations may be mailed to Barb Savidge, 333 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, PA 17963

If you would like a receipt for your donation, please include a S.A.S.E.

If you have any questions on the administration of the account, pleae e-mail me at bsavidge@pgasd.com

[bsavidge]

Kyle was moved from Christiana Trauma Center in Delaware to Magee Rehab in Philadelphia on June 1st.
Now, the rehab process begins...please continue to pray for his recovery.

[Tatonka]

That's great news, good luck with the rehab Kyle - we're pulling for ya! :P

[50ccMoM]

Great News ! Kyle, stay as strong and as brave as you are. There are so many people praying for you and your family.

Heal up quick !!!


Prayers being sent !


Angie

[50ccMoM]

I was just wondering how Kyle was doing in rehab. I was thinking about him and his family.

Barb S,

Do you have any updates for us ?


Angie

[bsavidge]

Kyle is doing fairly well at Magee Rehab. They are still working on weaning him from the vent...he's up to 8 hours a day without it ! He is still experiencing bowel problems and is probably going for a CT scan soon to try to pinpoint the cause.
His therapists have him working on pushing the wheels on his wheelchair.
He has a long road ahead of him yet; but, he and his family are in good spirits.
Again, a big thank you to everyone who has called, e-mailed, sent cards, donated to the benefit fund and prayed for Kyle. It means so much to him and his family!
I'll keep in touch periodically with updates.

Barb S.
Savidge Racing

[50ccMoM]

Update from Barb...




Hey Everyone!
Thanks for keeping him in your prayers, and please don't stop now!

The test we took him for on Fri led to him being admitted back to CICU at Christiana Hospital again. Seems his stomach tube, moved or was misplaced or whatever, in any event was not in his stomach and was in his bowel, that explains a lot of the problems he's had, and more test were done, and we decided to try something to see if it works to fix the problem, hopefully it works, if not then major bowel surgery will have to be done. He's been laying for a few days, and we are hoping pneumonia doesn't set in again, yesterday he had some unusual breathing for him at this point, so I'm a crazy woman telling them to get him up out of that bed, and not to stop physical therapy so he doesn't turn into a noodle again. I'm praying this doesn't turn into two steps forward, ten steps back.
With the stomach tube now gone, he has to do all his eating and drinking on his own, or another will have to be inserted, so we'll see.
His nurses at CICU weren't glad he was back, but were very happy to see him again, he has quite the fan club up there, they all stopped in to see him when they found out he was there, its those blue eyes of his. And his day nurse at Magee was a mess when we were leaving, I'll have to call her on Mon and let her know what's going on.
Ok, well I have to get ready to get up there, and have to go visit my Dad now in the hospital first. I'll keep you all updated as best as I can.
Thanks so much for all the prayers and support and love....we appreciate it more than you all will ever know.

Ride hard, ride safe, take care all.
Love, The Greenwalt Race Team

[Gatlin5]

Angie,

Thanks for forwarding the update on Kyle.

I am sorry to hear he is having such a rough time. Please give our best wishes to the family I know they are on one helluva roller coaster ride and must be worn out.

The thoughts and prayers are still coming from here more than you know. Working with everyone at RiderDown is so rewarding but it is emotionally draining too when you can feel the pain of so many of your extended family.

Hang tough Kyle we are all pulling for you. God bless you and your family.

[Linda]

Hello I'm Linda, How is Kyle doing is he still in the hospital or back in the re-hab, I'm sure which ever place he's in he sure has a big fan club! You got me instantly when you mentoined those blue eyes! To bad your way to young for me! Hope you get well real soon our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Linda & Mike P.S. My hubby has a donar neck bone and it must of come from a dancer cause next thing ya' know 4 months later he could cut a mean rug!!

[bsavidge]

Kyle is back in Magee Rehab in Philadelphia; and, there was great news earlier this week...he moved his leg, only once; but HE MOVED HIS LEG !!!
Also, he has a website if anyone wants to send him a message to read: www.bretonconsultants.com/Kyle/wwwboard.shtml

Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Barb S.

[ps91]

Moving his leg is HUGE....keep up the good work, Kyle...we are proud of you!!

[bsavidge]

Kyle was released from Magee Rehab on September 29th and is finally back home in West Chester, PA !
His condition is still improving. He now can move his left wrist and thumb; and support 90% of his weight while in the harness on the treadmill. Out-patient therapy will continue 5 days a week as we all continue to pray that he will stand up and walk again one day soon !

[50ccMoM]

Kyle was released from Magee Rehab on September 29th and is finally back home in West Chester, PA !
His condition is still improving. He now can move his left wrist and thumb; and support 90% of his weight while in the harness on the treadmill. Out-patient therapy will continue 5 days a week as we all continue to pray that he will stand up and walk again one day soon !


Barb,

Thanks for the update! I saw that Kyle was home. I have been meaning to contact you and find out how things were going. How is the family doing ?

I think your kids have been racing at Evansville. I have meant to find you and introduce myself.

Thanks again

[Tatonka]

Kyle - we're glad to hear you're doing so well and back at home. Keep up the good work with your rehab, it sure sounds like it's paying off. Hang tough, we're pulliing for you all the way!

Barb - thank you so much for the update, keep them coming please. !=!

[bsavidge]

Below is a message from Kyle's Mom copied from the D6 messageboard. Thought you would like to know what has been happening with Kyle since my last post.


Posted by Barb 98 on 11/20/2006

Hey Everyone........
Just thought it's been awhile since I updated you all on Kyle so.........

He's doing well, working sooooo hard. They have me taking him into Phila everyday, to get on the treadmill, he's getting muscle mass back, and has got his quads, hamstrings, glutes and hip flexors back, he's now able to shift his weight from side to side, and hold his trunk up with 90% of his body weight for about 3min now. He sure has come a long long way, still lots of work to be done though. He also has some of his left wrist back, his left thumb and index finger back. We are also working on his tricepts, trying to wake those up and get them working again, so we can avoid sugery on those, cross your fingers that works.
We spent a week at Shriner's Hosp in Phila as well, lots of test, and research, and Dr's but it was well worth the week there.
His spirits are great, and he is still just Kyle, crazy, full of his sense of humor, I think that's what has gotten us this far, his attitude. He amazes me, honestly he does.

We would like to wish you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving, we will give thanks to all of our MX family, and all that they have done for us, you are all in our prayers, ride safe, travel safe, and take care all of you.

Love, The Greenwalt Race Team

KG-98 Stay Strong!!!

[50ccMoM]

Barb,

Happy Thanksgiving ! Tell the Greenwalts that we wish them a happy holiday. Kyle and his family are always in my prayers. Im so glad to here that he is doing so well.


!=!