Jeffrey Herlings Update - Temporarily Paralyzed for 30 Minutes

Jeff alessi
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Jeff alessi 9/23/2020 4:56pm
9/23/2020 4:56pm
TXDirt wrote:
I think he will be back again. But he will be a changed rider to some degree. To what extent remains to be seen. I had...
I think he will be back again. But he will be a changed rider to some degree. To what extent remains to be seen.

I had a catastrophic crash at Lake Whitney back around 1993 or so. I was about 12 years old and crashed over the finish line jump. My bike bogged right on the take off and I endoed face first into the ground hard and the bike crushed me also.

I recovered and continued my career racing. But I was a changed rider when I can back. I was still able to turn pro years later and race some nationals after Lorettas. But all those years later it still was in the back of my mind subconsciously.

Funny thing is that wasn’t even my worst crash as I would have others over my career. But that was one that definitely stuck with me and changed me.
Yep. People don’t realize even a crash that you can walk away from will stick with you, or they will make you stronger. I had one when I was 14 when I broke my back and couldn’t understand why my legs felt so weak, but I was so young I cane out of surgery and was fine but then a little step on step off a few years ago my chain snapped, mind was not the same for years. You gotta know when to put those things in the past, and that or me was when I changed chain brands.
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Donkey Kong 9/23/2020 5:05pm
9/23/2020 5:05pm
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
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Wiff3
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Wiff3 9/23/2020 5:22pm
9/23/2020 5:22pm
Paralyzed for 30 minutes....... I can't imagine how anyone would not have that in the back of their mind after having that happen.

I don't know what he'll do, but if anyone thinks he won't have that on his mind, they are a fool.

I hope he takes his time and heals from this before he makes any decision on his future. He has obviously been amazing on a bike, and has nothing to prove.

That is scary stuff for sure.
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FerCzD
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FerCzD 9/23/2020 6:56pm
9/23/2020 6:56pm
Guy is a machine.

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DeStouwer
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DeStouwer 9/24/2020 1:14am
9/24/2020 1:14am
Donkey Kong wrote:
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
About those neck braces:

Ten years or so ago, 80% of the GP-field was wearing one. Nowadays that's maybe 10%. What's the deal with that?
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Muscle-Milk-KTM 9/24/2020 1:18am
9/24/2020 1:18am
Donkey Kong wrote:
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
DeStouwer wrote:
About those neck braces:

Ten years or so ago, 80% of the GP-field was wearing one. Nowadays that's maybe 10%. What's the deal with that?
I was thinking that myself wasn’t watching the last GP, only Gasjer & Seewer were wearing one in MXGP & in MX2 only Geerts was that I can remember.
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kieran_macca 9/24/2020 1:32am
9/24/2020 1:32am
I broke my back about 3 months ago during a practice day and ended up with a spinal cord injury. It's a pretty shitty feeling just lying there not able to move. Unfortunately mine is lasting a lot longer than 30 mins.
I can't speak for Herlings, racing at the top level, but the day I get back on a bike I won't be holding back. It's one of the main things that's keeping me driven to keep working and getting better.
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ForToo
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ForToo 9/24/2020 3:14am
9/24/2020 3:14am
chuckie108 wrote:
I realized a life long goal of racing at LL's in 2015- felt like I was riding better than anytime in my life. A few months...
I realized a life long goal of racing at LL's in 2015- felt like I was riding better than anytime in my life. A few months later, I took a digger and fractured C6 and C7. I laid on the track for I'm guessing 1 minute, trying to move- but nothing worked. I remember thinking "Oh no! did I just paralyze myself?". My mind immediately went to my wife and kids and how this would change their lives having to care for me. I felt devastated. Pretty crazy how 1 minute can feel like an eternity. Then my toes started to tingle, and shortly after, all the feeling was back. I could feel that burning sensation in the back of my neck so I knew there were fractures, so I didn't dare move. When they finally carted me back to my wife, I broke down sobbing as soon as I saw her from the emotion of knowing the bullet I just dodged. My kids were literally shaken up by seeing their dad break down and cry. It was the first time in my 40 years of riding I ever doubted the sport I love so much. It took me a year to get back to riding, and my modus operandi in regards to riding changed. Point being, I can't imagine how this could affect a guy like JH84. Dude has to lay it on the line to go his speed. That might be a bit tough to do going forward now that he has gotten a real taste of the possible consequences. See Dungey retiring 1 series after his neck injury. Then again, there's a reason he is ungodly fast on a dirt bike- Different breed than us mere mortals. Either way, it will interesting to see how he gets on in the future.
Man, I don't know how you did it, but I just teared up reading your post; perhaps seeing the strain I've put on my wife and kids for the past 7 weeks with a pair of torn ACL's coupled with the thought of amplifying the injury by 100. Well said.
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AxlBundy
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AxlBundy 9/24/2020 4:20am
9/24/2020 4:20am
The speed that it takes to be the best in mxgp is unreal. Anything less is out of the question for HH.

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Aussie_power_sports 9/24/2020 4:34am
9/24/2020 4:34am
yota wrote:
Doug Henry came back from breaking his back...
And l imagine if you gave him the choice to go back and retire then or carry on and end up permantly disabled he would choose the first.
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limepandanz 9/24/2020 5:07am
9/24/2020 5:07am
TXDirt wrote:
I think he will be back again. But he will be a changed rider to some degree. To what extent remains to be seen. I had...
I think he will be back again. But he will be a changed rider to some degree. To what extent remains to be seen.

I had a catastrophic crash at Lake Whitney back around 1993 or so. I was about 12 years old and crashed over the finish line jump. My bike bogged right on the take off and I endoed face first into the ground hard and the bike crushed me also.

I recovered and continued my career racing. But I was a changed rider when I can back. I was still able to turn pro years later and race some nationals after Lorettas. But all those years later it still was in the back of my mind subconsciously.

Funny thing is that wasn’t even my worst crash as I would have others over my career. But that was one that definitely stuck with me and changed me.
I feel similarly, it would be very hard for him to give up what he's dedicated his entire life to. My guess is he will return to racing but as a changed rider, certainly not with the same ruthlessness.

I got taken out by another rider when I was young and had my abdomen ripped open and nearly died. I was never the same after that, it affected my decision making and the vivid memories are always in the back of my mind. My nature became a lot more cautious in general after that day, and it's interesting to see the flow-on effects that event has had over the decades.

I don't see how Herlings can come back from this and not be a changed man, he just had a terrifying confrontation with mortality and the all too real consequences of this sport and it will adjust his psyche whether he's conscious of it or not.
Steve125
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Steve125 9/24/2020 5:21am
9/24/2020 5:21am
Paralyzed from the neck down for 30 minutes and has discussions about sitting out "a race". What a beast.
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Goon645
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Goon645 9/24/2020 5:24am
9/24/2020 5:24am
Madness - Recently Herlings, Forkner, Martin, Roczen have all returned to riding after injuries that would have made me call it. Different breed for sure. Even Peick would have returned if he could hve but his vision just didnt allow it. I am a bitch compared to these chaps.
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Donkey Kong 9/24/2020 6:35am
9/24/2020 6:35am
Donkey Kong wrote:
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
DeStouwer wrote:
About those neck braces:

Ten years or so ago, 80% of the GP-field was wearing one. Nowadays that's maybe 10%. What's the deal with that?
The culture of the sport is to not wear one. I don't think it's anything more than that, people just don't wear them.
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Rdracer598 9/24/2020 7:12am
9/24/2020 7:12am
Aussie_power_sports wrote:
And l imagine if you gave him the choice to go back and retire then or carry on and end up permantly disabled he would choose...
And l imagine if you gave him the choice to go back and retire then or carry on and end up permantly disabled he would choose the first.
You might be surprised by some peoples answer to that.

I wouldn't change it. My injury made me a better person and gave me a better outlook on life and I've traveled more for sports in my wheelchair than as a able body. If I would've recovered enough to race again I would've gone back to it.

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psychotronBR 9/24/2020 7:37am
9/24/2020 7:37am
I cannot imagine the kind of mental scars you get after beind paralyzed from the neck down for 30 minutes. I'd second guess myself on a bike for the rest of my life.

I guess that's what makes him a world champion and me, a mere mortal.
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chuckie108
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chuckie108 9/24/2020 8:25am
9/24/2020 8:25am
ForToo wrote:
Man, I don't know how you did it, but I just teared up reading your post; perhaps seeing the strain I've put on my wife and...
Man, I don't know how you did it, but I just teared up reading your post; perhaps seeing the strain I've put on my wife and kids for the past 7 weeks with a pair of torn ACL's coupled with the thought of amplifying the injury by 100. Well said.
Thanks for the positive reply. It is very tough when our personal decisions burden the others in our lives. Then again, that is the true meaning of family. I hope you heal up soon bud!
aeffertz
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aeffertz 9/24/2020 10:50am
9/24/2020 10:50am Edited Date/Time 9/24/2020 11:07am
Donkey Kong wrote:
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
DeStouwer wrote:
About those neck braces:

Ten years or so ago, 80% of the GP-field was wearing one. Nowadays that's maybe 10%. What's the deal with that?
I think the first couple generations of neck braces were not designed very well, were heavy and uncomfortable. I’d imagine it put a lot of people off of them for good.
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Motofinne
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Motofinne 9/24/2020 10:55am
9/24/2020 10:55am
Donkey Kong wrote:
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
DeStouwer wrote:
About those neck braces:

Ten years or so ago, 80% of the GP-field was wearing one. Nowadays that's maybe 10%. What's the deal with that?
aeffertz wrote:
I think the first couple generations of neck braces were not designed very well, were heavy and uncomfortable. I’d imagine it put a lot of people...
I think the first couple generations of neck braces were not designed very well, were heavy and uncomfortable. I’d imagine it put a lot of people off of them for good.
Also horrible design. The back plate on the first Leatt neckbraces was really stiff and basically would press on the spine in a crash where the head tilted backwards.

Pretty much all modern braces are designed to break in multiple pieces in big crashes to disperse force. I know that i would not ride without my Alpinestars brace, better to be safe than sorry if you can find a brace that fits and is comfortable.
resetjet
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resetjet 9/24/2020 11:43am
9/24/2020 11:43am
Hes been shown the other side. Those of us that have been there are never the same.
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RichieW13
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RichieW13 9/24/2020 12:40pm
9/24/2020 12:40pm
yota wrote:
Doug Henry came back from breaking his back...
Aussie_power_sports wrote:
And l imagine if you gave him the choice to go back and retire then or carry on and end up permantly disabled he would choose...
And l imagine if you gave him the choice to go back and retire then or carry on and end up permantly disabled he would choose the first.
Sure, if he KNOWS the outcome will be paralysis, he wouldn't choose that.

But every one of us who gets on a dirt bike knows there is a chance for catastrophic injury. We would all quit if we knew it would happen. But instead, there is only a slight chance it happens. We decide the risk is worth it - or we decide to ignore the risk.

Isn't Henry still riding on modified motorcycles now?
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Donkey Kong 9/24/2020 12:43pm
9/24/2020 12:43pm
Motofinne wrote:
Also horrible design. The back plate on the first Leatt neckbraces was really stiff and basically would press on the spine in a crash where the...
Also horrible design. The back plate on the first Leatt neckbraces was really stiff and basically would press on the spine in a crash where the head tilted backwards.

Pretty much all modern braces are designed to break in multiple pieces in big crashes to disperse force. I know that i would not ride without my Alpinestars brace, better to be safe than sorry if you can find a brace that fits and is comfortable.
How do you like your A-stars neck brace? I've been looking at them online
B Lenny
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B Lenny 9/24/2020 12:47pm
9/24/2020 12:47pm
Oh Man..He's one of my favorites..Get well JH... Smile
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Mboerke 9/24/2020 10:31pm
9/24/2020 10:31pm
Luke_Richards wrote:
Did I read that right that he said He and the team decided to sit out the next race as if racing right now is an...
Did I read that right that he said He and the team decided to sit out the next race as if racing right now is an option?
I noticed that as well. First message few days after the crash was that he will at least miss the next 4 races. Now they are only talking about next race (2nd). I believe a new scan is planned next week Tuesday, prabably that’s why they only state to sit out next weekend’s race.
Goon645
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Goon645 9/25/2020 3:01am
9/25/2020 3:01am
Donkey Kong wrote:
Really begs the question if we all need to be wearing neck braces
DeStouwer wrote:
About those neck braces:

Ten years or so ago, 80% of the GP-field was wearing one. Nowadays that's maybe 10%. What's the deal with that?
aeffertz wrote:
I think the first couple generations of neck braces were not designed very well, were heavy and uncomfortable. I’d imagine it put a lot of people...
I think the first couple generations of neck braces were not designed very well, were heavy and uncomfortable. I’d imagine it put a lot of people off of them for good.
My racing career was in South Africa mostly (where Leatt is from) and I had the early braces - I crashed on a very high speed section and I landed on my head with the bike ontop of me in a carthweel - I broke ribs, punctured my lung and my collarbone snapped in 3 places from the neck brace (The carbon piece also broke where it sits behind your head against the spine) BUT, I didnt get any neck injury whatsoever.

Of course this is subjective but I believe they do work - it displaces the forces from the neck to the shoulders/collarbone area which is why my collarbone was so smashed. Either way, I think the racers want money to ride with them. Maybe there is data of their effectiveness that the pros know that we dont??? Either way it saved my neck im sure of it.
JK714
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JK714 9/25/2020 9:54am
9/25/2020 9:54am Edited Date/Time 9/25/2020 9:57am
Regarding the neck braces, I would never ride without my Leatt. I have done two hard head plants that definitely would have broken my neck. The second one broke the back of the neck brace but nothing else. A key is to have it riding on top of a chest protector and with the back piece spreading the force out on the chest protector and your collar bones and spine are never touched in this manner. A rider I know claims that Ryan Hughes says not to wear a neck brace because it will keep you from being able to "tuck and roll" when being thrown over the bars. Ryan Hughes has bolts in his neck by his own account. Have you ever seen any Rider manage to tuck and roll successfully when being thrown over the bars? If Herlings can't do it nobody can. This is like saying don't wear seat belts so you can jump out of the car at the last second. If you're not comfortable riding with a neck brace fine but please don't try to say it's safer that way.
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tblazier
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tblazier 9/25/2020 4:48pm
9/25/2020 4:48pm
I think I would give thanks to god and take up some other career after one like this. No way I could keep that out of my mind every time I thought about even getting on the bike. So damn scary
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Permeance_Flux 9/25/2020 7:45pm
9/25/2020 7:45pm
Don’t want to hijack this thread away from what JH84 is going through, but seeing guys like Blake Savage continuing to battle really put things into perspective for me if I have a bad day. The resilience he has is pure motivation.
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holeshot413
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holeshot413 9/26/2020 5:42am
9/26/2020 5:42am
AxlBundy wrote:
Retire. Not going to get a 2nd chance
Neck brace could have helped
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 9/26/2020 6:21am
9/26/2020 6:21am
Fuck. Sometimes dirtbikes suck. Glad he’s ok for the most part and makes the right decision for himself

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