Hospital Statement from Felipe Giaffone

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, July 9, 2003) -- Hollywood/Mo Nunn Racing driver Felipe Giaffone is resting comfortably at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after surgery Monday on his right leg in the wake of injuries (fractured right femur and pelvis) he suffered at Kansas Speedway during Sunday's Kansas Indy 300.  He is listed in good condition and is in the company of his wife, Alice, and manager Marcello Hirsch.  His parents, Zeca and Lia Giaffone, are scheduled to arrive from São Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday (July 10).  He wished to issue the following statement to the racing community:

 

FELIPE GIAFFONE



"I'm glad to say I'm feeling fine right now.  It was a hard crash, and the bad thing is that I kept awake the whole time.  I saw the wall getting close.  I felt every bit of the pain the whole time.  I still feel some pain, but the doctors say it's normal, as it's been only a couple of days since the surgery.  I can already bend my right leg, and sit down to eat, for example.  My other leg, the left one, is still swollen, and I ordered some more exams on Tuesday to see if it's really okay.  It has to be good soon, so I can start rehabilitation quickly and use it to support my body.  Doctors said I'll be ready to start physiotherapy next Thursday (July 17).  Since the accident, I've received an incredible amount of support from the entire Indy Racing community.  Bryan Barnhart came here on Tuesday.  Morris (Nunn, team owner) comes every day.  Other drivers and friends have sent nice messages, and these things help me to keep on going.  It's just amazing how the rescue team, the doctors and all of the IRL staff have given all the best for me so far, in a very professional and lovely way.  It's in these hard times that we feel how important the love is that we get from people we work with and compete against."







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