IRL: Sam Schmidt Released to Rehabilitation
4 February 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Indianapolis, IN: Sam Schmidt began his first day of
rehabilitation
today at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was
released from the intensive care unit (ICU) yesterday after functioning
for three consecutive days without assistance from a ventilator.
Schmidt, who is under the care of neurologist Dr. John McDonald, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and assistant professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, is expected to begin a rehabilitation program in which he will start training to walk on a treadmill while part of his body weight is supported.
The Spinal Cord Injury Program provides state-of-the-art comprehensive medical, surgical, rehabilitative, and long-term care for individuals with spinal cord injury. For more information regarding the hospital's Spinal Cord Injury program, visit www.neuro.wustl.edu/sci on the web.
Critically injured during an IRL testing session in early January, Schmidt's current state of paralysis remains unchanged, however, the transfer into rehabilitation is keeping his spirits positive and he and his family are encouraged by his progress.
Treadway Racing and the Schmidt family have set up The Sam Schmidt Foundation to ensure stability for the family, as well as provide funds to support spinal cord injury research and rehabilitation. Donations to the foundation are currently being accepted at:
The Sam Schmidt Foundation
6017 W. 71st Street
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Please make all checks payable directly to The Sam Schmidt Foundation.
In addition, an address at the hospital has been established, so that those who wish to send Schmidt any words of inspiration or comfort may address them to:
Sam Schmidt
Attn: Public Relations Department
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
1 Barnes Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
Treadway Racing is also accepting letters on his behalf as well.
Text Provided by Treadway Racing
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