Date: 2/11/04
Author: David Williams

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Arizona Wakeboarder Danny Dean in ICU

Danny Dean

Things are looking up for the Arizona rider that broke his vertebrae earlier this year. Danny Dean is showing impressive improvement with a bit of movement from his lower extremities in recent days.

Danny Dean is an Arizona local pro and rides in the Outlaw division of the Arizona Wakeboard Association (AWA) events. He volunteers his time and judges for the AWA. He can often be found chatting with his fellow wakeboarders as board4food1 on the WakeWorld Discussion Board.

In January Danny had an accident involving some wakeboarding moves he was performing off a trampoline for his church group and was paralyzed from the armpits down. The good news is that he's been super stoked by all the support he's received from people around the world and had this to say when he finally got around to reading the message board thread from all his well-wishers.

"Wow! I am overwhelmed by all the support I have from my family, friends and the wakeboarding community. I'd like to actually be typing this by myself but, unfortunately, I still don't have full range of motion in my arms and hands, but it is getting better every day. (My mom and dad are helping me post this.) You couldn't believe my surprise when my dad showed me Dave's article and the long list of posts on the discussion board.

"I'd like to personally thank Jen Brewer and her husband Jerry, Dave Williams, Tom Bugg and Mike Cooper. Reading all of your posts has touched me deeply and I am drawing strength from your encouragement and hope. Every day I am seeing improvement. Wakeboarding has been one of my major lifelines and has always challenged me to improve and progress. It has given me an opportunity to meet awesome people and make long-time friends. Thanks again for all your prayers, love, e-mails and support. They will help me get better. My promise to you is that I will never give up. I will keep you updated on my progress."

Since then, Danny's dad, Doug, has reported even more good news on his progress. He's moved his feet, legs, toes and abdominal muscles. He's been able to do something new every day. He is still in great spirits and thriving on the emails and prayers his extended wakeboard family has been sending him.

Danny has been moved from Scottsdale Healthcare Medical Care Center to downtown Phoenix to the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital for rehabilitation. This facility has one of the best reputations in the nation for spinal injury rehab.

Through it all, Danny's friends from the Arizona Wakeboard Assocation (AWA) have been visiting and supporting his rehab. They've even solicited donations in order to purchase Danny a Playstation 2 and some games to help with his coordination (and maybe to have some fun) during his revcovery. If you would like to contribute, send donations to the AWA PayPal account at azwakeboardassoc@cox.net. Or if you have games that you no longer use and would like to donate to the cause, contact the AWA at azwakeboardassoc@cox.net. 100% Of the proceeds will go to Danny.

If you'd like to wish Danny well, add your comments to the running thread on the WakeWorld Discussion Board.

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