IRL: Sam Schmidt Released to Rehabilitation
motorsport.com
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 accepting letters on his behalf as well.
For more information regarding Treadway Racing, visit
www.treadwayracing.com on the Internet.