Welcome to the Broken Barker Blog, where we’re all about celebrating Jeff Barker, a dear friend, gifted designer and an all-around-great guy, who was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident on October 2, 2008.
The Accident
While taking a ride in Kuna on his 2004 Yamaha Roadstar Silverado that warm fall evening, Jeff was struck by an impaired driver who was fleeing the police at speeds up to 70 MPH. The driver of the car walked away from the scene. Jeff, on the other hand, was thrown 30 feet from his motorcycle. When the police found Jeff on the side of the road, he had no pulse. He was resuscitated on the scene, but while being airlifted to the hospital, was resuscitated three more times.
The Hospital
Jeff spent a total of 4.5 weeks in the hospital as a result of this accident, where he relied on a ventilator to breathe for the first week in the ICU — a result of the puncture to his lung. Jeff also sustained multiple broken bones, including 10 ribs, three vertebrae, collarbone, shoulder blade, left leg and elbow. Jeff also suffered from severe contusions across his body, and his front teeth and his jaw were broken, as well.
The Road To Recovery
Jeff was released from the hospital on November 5th, and since then, he’s been in his father’s care at his childhood home in Fruitland, ID. His road to recovery will be long, and at times, arduous. Right now, Jeff is able to take a few steps to get from room-to-room, but after that small bit of activity, Jeff’s body is overcome with physical exhaustion and pain. It will take one full year of physical therapy — if not more — for Jeff’s body to be able to handle the physical requirements of normal daily activity. We know that Jeff’s brilliant sense of humor, his positive demeanor and perseverance will see him through, but he needs your help, too.
A SPECIAL THANK-YOU
The Broken Barker efforts are only possible because of thoughtful contributions from people like you, including:
Silent Auction Items
There are already an amazing number of items that will be auctioned off at the event, and even more to come! Here's just a short list of a few items you can get your hands on:
- Idaho Steelheads Tickets
- Muhammad Ali Autographed Boxing Gloves
- One Night Stay at the Modern Hotel
- Autographed Tommy Lasorda Baseball
- Restaurant gift certificates, salon packages and Pilates & Yoga lessons
- Authentic Celebrity-Autographed Guitar
- Various works of art (wood sculptures, stained glass, etc)
- Michael Andretti Autographed Die-Cast Indy Car
- And much, much more
So bring your checkbooks, because all of the money is going to a good cause. Thank you for your support. We can't wait to see you there!
1 comment:
Dear Jeff...
came across your blog when a friend commented on my facebook that he was at your fundraiser bash today!!!
My husband was severely injured on his motorcycle last summer as well. All I can say is keep your chin up, your humorsenser up higher and this too shall pass and one day be a distant unpleasant memory!
I hope the Broken Barker Bash is a huge success and life brings you nothing but lemonade from here on out.
Your sister in the wind...
Jewls from Chicagoland ;D
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