By Shermain Bique-Charles
Seriously injured national cyclist, Andre Simon, continues to show incredible signs of recovery, according to his brother Dwayne Simon, who accompanied him to the US hospital where he is being treated following May’s horrific road accident.
“Andre’s progress continues to trend upwards. However, there are a few setbacks, which include a procedure with an ENT specialist, and serious challenges with a wound,” Dwayne said on Saturday.
He further shared that Andre is still fighting, and “We ask that you pray for Andre’s resilience through these hurdles as God continues to heal him.”
In what can be described as another encouraging sign of recovery, some of the hospital staff created a poster for Andre and placed it on his window.
The 36-year-old knows how to make choices by moving his head, so the staff involved him in the design of the poster, according to his brother, who also claimed that Andre was able to indicate the type of stickers he liked, and even the types of motivational phrases.
“That makes the poster even more special. When I entered one of his sessions, the staff asked him if he recognised my voice and he responded ‘yes’ (using his head). They asked if I am his brother and he further indicated ‘yes.’ He is really trying,” Dwayne said.
The sportsman and meteorological officer was airlifted to the TIRR Memorial Hospital in Texas on July 2, two months after he and three other cyclists were struck by a motorist during a training ride on the Sir George Walter Highway.
While the other three were treated for minor injuries and later discharged from the hospital, Simon was left in a critical condition landing him in the intensive care unit at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.
He was eventually flown overseas following a mammoth fundraising effort that remains underway.
The man who struck down the riders, 39-year-old Kenyatta Benjamin of Union Road Hatton, has been charged with dangerous driving.