On June 16 Diego Ballesteros was struck by a vehicle while riding on Highway 254 west of El Dorado during the Race Across America.
Earlier this week he was still at Wesley Medical Center paralyzed from his waist down, although he planning to return to his family in Spain by Sunday through a medical private plane set up for him.
Ballesteros suffered four broken vertebrae, four broken ribs, road rash throughout his body and internal trauma and also is recovering from major emergency trauma surgery where a rod was inserted in his back.
Doctors say he will never recover 100 percent.
Last Sunday he woke up with electrical impulses mixed with a pins and needle feeling in his hands and arms. The strength in his hands had also declined. Doctors feared that maybe he had developed a leak in his spinal fluid, a blood clot or a myriad of other possibilities, potentially threatening his upper body as well.
However, after two MRIs and a dye test, he received the good news that hopefully this is temporary. The next 18 months will be critical as to how long term his paralysis will be.
According to information from the Oz Bicycle Club, doctors also told Ballesteros the impact was so severe his body will need to develop new blood flow to many areas. They said the average person would not have survived the impact, but because he has such a strong heart due to his active lifestyle he managed to pull through.
Although he had travelers insurance, which won't cover race occurrences; Race Across America insurance with minimal liability coverage; and the liability insurance of the driver who hit him, he has found that once he returns home to his socialized medical insurance will not cover his expenses he incurred here.
Supporters of Ballesteros through Bicycle Pedaler have opened a bank account locally to help with expenses. Send contributions to: Diego Ballesteros Benefit Fund, Carson Bank, 4641 E Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218;
(316) 777-1171.
