There are certain points in ones life where you remember precisely where you were when you are given profound news. For some, it may be a terrible event like 9/11. For others, it may be the incredible news that your going to be a father. And sometimes, it is the tragic news that a friend has been critically injured. Such was my experience at this year’s Silver Dollar Nationals, when I received the news that Ken Nork had crashed during the second round, and was likely paralyzed. Standing in the lobby of the Grand Sierra, a pair of panini under my arm, en route to go edit the photos of the day. There, Jackie Altizer, who traveled to Reno with Ken and a contingent from our local track, Steel Wheels BMX, told me what happened. I felt the color drain from my face, and it felt, for that moment, like I was standing on two bags of marshmallows. Hearing those words “They think he might be paralyzed from the chest down” brings a quick “film” in your head of what life is going to be like, thereafter, for your friend, who you just saw race the first round, a few hours earlier.

In the weeks and months that followed, BMXers from around the world (through a Facebook group, and messages on VintageBMX.com) adopted a rallying call made famous by another fallen BMXer, Stephen Murray, and the “Stay Strong Ken Nork” movement was born. Murray, as you recall, is a BMX dirt jumper who was paralyzed from the neck down after a critical injury at the final stop of the 2007 Dew Tour.

Through fundraisers at local tracks across the US and Canada, Ken and his family were helped to offset the financial burden this kind of event inevitably has when one of the bread-winners is unable to contribute. As of today, The Ken Nork Facebook page has 1323 fans, and the thread on Vintage talking about his injury has received 206 replies and over 16,000 views.

Fast-forward a mere five months, and Ken has gone from receiving the devastating news that his case was hopeless, and he would never move his arms and legs again, to being back at the track to watch his two kids participate in last week’s Answer Supercamp—on his own two feet, assisted only by a cane.

I felt that the thousands of supporters and well-wishers who chimed in to give Ken strength would really like to hear from him, in his own words, in his own voice, for the 4-1-1 on how he’s doing.

Seeing Ken walk into Steel Wheels back in April brought the whole thing full circle. The hair stood up on the back of my neck, the color drained from my face, and there I was, standing on those marshmallows again. I couldn’t have been happier.

—MIke Carruth, June 14, 2010

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ALS is a disorder of the motor neurons, nerve cells in the brain and spine that control voluntary muscles. For people with ALS these nerve cells gradually die and the muscles they control can no longer function, leading to total paralysis and eventually death. There is no known cure for ALS at this time and life expectancy is 2-5 years. 

The Gronowskis are a great BMX family and have always been willing to help Music City and any BMX family with whom they have come into contact. As we all know, BMX is a true family sport, who always stands together as a community.

The goal of Neva’s friends is to try and get everyone at Morristown to donate 1 dollar, 4 quarters, 10 dimes, 20 nickels or even 100 pennies. As we all know a dollar doesn’t buy much these days, but I promise if you are willing to give a dollar for this cause we will show you how far it will go to help a great family in their time of need.  100% of all monies raised will be donated to the Gronowski family.

These funds will be used to help retrofit the Gronowski home to make it more accessible and comfortable for Neva as she battles this illness. For example, a downstairs bedroom and bathroom are needed, because Neva is no longer able to climb stairs. We are also hoping to help the family in having their van equipped with a wheelchair lift and ramps into the house. it is our own version of “Extreme Makeover, BMX Edition” and your help is greatly needed and appreciated.

If you aren’t planning on attending Morristown this weekend, but would still like to help, donations will still be accepted and appreciated. Please contact Bobby at (615) 267-0742 or email him at bobbyg629@aol.com
 
 

Burlin Harris and his star instructors are coming to Steel Wheels Indoor in Hobart Indiana on January 16 & 17. Time is running out on enrollments, so call the track directly (219-406-9833) to find out if there is still room. Then, on the evenings of Jan 18 & 19, there will be an advanced rider camp (25 riders Max). No doubt that the Supercamps are highly effective for riders of all ages and proficiencies. A portion of the proceeds of the Steel Wheels camp will be donated to a fund established for Ken Nork, a Steel Wheels local who suffered a spinal injury at the recent ABA Silver Dollar Nationals in Reno, NV.

As of January 13, there is still room in the Sat/SUn camp, as well as the Mon/Tue Evening Advance Riders’ camp.

With 19 racks of riders ranging from six to 13 years in age, the second installment of the Answer BMX Young Guns Shootout went off with a bang today in Hobart, Indiana. Cars, cold cuts and coolers were loaded up from as far away as Dallas to make the trip to Steel Wheels Indoor BMX on a “warm” winter day (36 degrees at race time outside, about 60 inside—so similar to San Diego, trackside).

“The Juice” Justin Richmond and “Dirt Diva” Mikenna Koth took the top spots in the 11-13 “Elite” Boys and Girls classes, respectively. Justin won the 10 and under class at last years inaugural Young Guns Shootout, and ran the table today. Mikenna has her own unique story on her route to the top of the podium. That route, in this case, involved over a thousand miles of Interstates, US Highways and State Routes, as well as the Steel Wheels straightaways. Mikenna’s dad, Tim, rallied as only a BMX dad could after a full Friday of business, and set out for Hobart from Dallas, TX last night at 6PM. They arrived in the parking lot just in time for the opening of registration at 11AM. As we said, only in BMX Racing! The 100+ mile journey earned Tim and Mikenna the “longedst trip” honors, and a $25 gift card.

Full results are forthcoming, but BMXNEWS wanted to get the winners, and the photo gallery from today’s race posted (includes both the Young Guns Shootout racks, as well as the single pointer that ran as well).

2009 Answer BMX Young Guns Shootout Winners
7-Under Boys winner…..”The G-Man” Gavin Freewalt
10-Under Girls winner…..Mattie Pusateri
10-Under Boys winner…..John Jilbert
11-13 Girls winner…..Mikenna Koth
11-13 Boys winner….. “The Juice” Justin Richmond (11x)

Check out the photo gallery on PhotosArePosted.com