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View Full Version : Attention: "Helping Tristan Up" - We need your help!


Tatonka
10-11-2006, 04:08 PM
Attention: "Helping Tristan Up"
We need your help!

On October 7, 2006, 8-year old Tristan Van Wieringen was practicing at Baja MX in Michigan. When he arrived at the start area for practice, the field had already left. He completed one lap and was clear of traffic when he approached the area where the 50’s track and the regular track converge. With the fresh tracks going both ways, he made a tragic decision and went the wrong way. A short distance from the convergence was a walkway which crossed the 50 track for spectators to access the infield. Tristan rode into the roped off pathway at a very high rate of speed, resulting in him being pulled off of his bike by his neck.

Tristan received multiple injuries to his jaw, his trachea, and he also had a collapsed lung. He has multiple fractures on both sides near his ears that are non-displaced. The other fracture is just below his incisor tooth and is slightly displaced. These conclusions were made by the surgeon, using the x-rays from when Tristan first arrived in the ER. The surgeon is concerned that since that time the two lines going through his mouth have displaced the fractures even more. Depending on the level of displacement he will either have a soft diet, or his jaw will be wired shut.
The doctors are keeping Tristan very heavily sedated. With all of his injuries it is imperative that he keep perfectly still. This is not an easy thing for an active eight year old. Surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am on Wednesday, October 11.


The Van Wieringen family is very active in the sport of Motocross. Murray, Tristan's Dad, is a former road racer who passed on his love of motorcycles to his children. Janine, Tristan's Mom, has been known to load up the motorhome and take the kids racing or to practice by herself.


Tristan and his family are from Canada. They are looking at a one month stay at the Hurley Medical center in Flint, MI if all goes well. It goes without saying that this will not only be emotionally draining experience, but financially draining as well. There is a young child and family in need of your immediate assistance. RiderDown is asking for your donations to help this family in their time of need.

Tristan’s sister had to return home to attend school. The separation of the family is going to be extremely hard on all of them. In light of all of this, we also ask that you keep your positive thoughts and prayers coming.

Donations can be made in any of the following 3 ways:

1. By mailing a check, made payable to the RiderDown Foundation to:

RiderDown Foundation
Helping Tristan Up Fund
30296 Buffalo Park Road
Evergreen, CO 80439

2. Online contributions and best wishes to the family can be made at; www.riderdown.org. Go to the Make a Donation tab and include the name Tristan in the message box.

3. Or, below you will find a direct PayPal link for your convenience.

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On behalf of the Van Wieringen’s and the entire RiderDown Family, a sincere thank you goes out to all who help in any way. Without people like you, we would not be able to help those injured in this sport that we have all come to know and love.



The RiderDown Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping responsible off road motorcyclists who have been injured while riding. Proceeds are used to provide assistance to the riders and their families when faced with medical expenses and related issues.

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Gatlin5
10-11-2006, 04:59 PM
Tristan, Janine, Murray and Family,

You are in our thoughts and prayers, get well real soon big guy.

God Bless!

The Frontiero's

Donation sent.

Tatonka
10-12-2006, 12:32 PM
BTW - More of the story and updates from Tristan's Mom & Dad can be found in the Injured Rider Section of this forum.

Woody_393
10-12-2006, 03:47 PM
That's terrible news :cry:

So I'm guessing that since he's from Canada, and they have government insurance, that they will get to foot the bill entirely?

I'll go check out the rider down forum.

Tatonka
10-13-2006, 11:39 PM
Just thinking about you guys and checking in!

Tatonka
10-13-2006, 11:57 PM
Posted by Janine -

UPDATE: Saturday October 14, 12:30pm

Today has been the usual rollercoaster ride. Right now I'm sitting in a chair beside Tristan's bed typing my daily update. It's been the usual long day with lots of ups and downs.

He was supposed to go into surgery at 10:30am, but didn't actually get in until around noon. You can tell that he is being weaned off some of the meds since it really shows in his attitude and mood. When I was saying goodbye to Tristan at the last point I can go with him, I see a sad face. I asked if he was scard and he started to cry and nod his head. This broke my heart, but a nurse took over to make him feel better. The surgery went fine and the feeding tube was inserted. At the same time they also removed the chest tube. I was able to sit with him in the recovery room and be there when he opened his eyes.

Later tonight I was advised by the PA that his recent xrays show that his lung is starting to collasp again. This is not what I wanted to hear. They have added oxygen to his trach in hopes that it wil come back. A real bummer since he no longer has the chest tube and another one would have to be inserted.

He has been in a lot of pain today since the tube was removed. He also got sick at few times which was not real fun for him. Everytime he coughs he just about dies. Which is more often than I would like, but expected.

Today he received a lot of wonderful gifts and lots of visitors. This morning I had Julie and Danielle who sat with me in the OR waiting room while he was in surgery. While we were waiting for the surgeon Dawn and Domique arrived. The girls were able to stay until the afternoon when they had to get their kids off the bus. Around supertime, Joy and Bailey arrived for a visit. Around 8:30pm Murray's parents arrived here. Earlier in the day Brandy (Kyle S's girlfriend) went to pick them up from the airport in London. Then Kyle, Cory, Brandy, and Wendy drove them up here.

Today has not been a good day for Tristan. I have never seen him sad before in his whole life. It just rips my heart out. Even when Kyle showed up he never broke a smile. Just before they were going to leave he started mouthing that he wants to go home over and over again. When Kyle briefly left the room he started to cry. He wouldn't even give a thumbs up. I pray that he is feeling better tomorrow. He never even once played xbox.

Well after I got everyone settled and sent off to bed I got in my jammies and headed back to his room. Murray had told me that he was sleeping before he left the room. Well when I arrived he was not sleeping but crying. He started mouthing to me that he was scard and wanted to go home. I sat for about 30 minutes trying to explain to him that we needed to do some things here to get more better before we could go home. I also reassured him that I was and not leaving. So needless to say, I think I'm sleeping in a chair beside his bed tonigt. After sitting here for awhile and him waking up seeing me sitting here, he finally gave me a few smiles. That's the way I wanted to end my day was with one of his smiles.

Thanks for all the love and support! Everyone have a fun and safe weekend!!

beleza
10-27-2006, 10:35 AM
Just a short note to Tristan and family. I'm new to rider down - was told about this organization through a friend who rides. When I read Tristan's story I was in tears thinking of what all of you are going through. While I don't ride, I do work in medicine and I know the stress that family's go through when someone is hurt.

I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My small donation is nothing compared to the loving thoughts that go out to you at this time of stress. Just know there is a lot of support for you out there. Keep us posted on his progress.

Tera Crisalida

beleza
11-02-2006, 03:07 PM
Does anyone have an update on Tristan? How is he doing by now?
Thanks

Tera Crisalida

SBRMM194
11-03-2006, 05:45 PM
Our thoughts and prayers go to Tristan and his family ,We were very sad to hear that you have had this situation happen . We hope that Tristan makes a great recovery ,I'm sure he will He's tough !! Hang in there ! Heather (MRA 50 Track Official), Don & Shawna #194 Stewart

Tatonka
11-03-2006, 07:48 PM
Tera - the updates and posts on Tristan's progress are in the injured rider setion of this forum. He's making a lot of progress!