INDIANAPOLIS — Canadian IndyCar Series driver Robert Wickens released an expanded statement on Friday night clarifying his current health condition and description of himself as a paraplegic.
Wickens posted a video on Instagram Thursday showing himself transferring from a seat to a wheelchair, accompanied by the quote, “(I) did my first slide transfer as a paraplegic today.”
Now, the 29-year-old Canadian has further explained his situation in response to assumptions that his current paralysis below the waist is already permanent.
“There was no announcement to confirm I was paralyzed. I’ve been paralyzed (from) the moment I hit the fence pole in Pocono,” wrote Wickens. “We were very clear that I had a spinal cord injury in the press release issued by SPM, but I guess people are not aware of what that means and are just speculating.
“Paralyzed and paraplegic are paralysis from the level of injury on the lower half. I’m paralyzed from the chest down — the level of my injury — which is T4.”
Wickens went on to offer hope that he could regain walking ability, but added that only time will tell what the final state of his health situation is.
“People may not be paraplegics forever. Since my spinal cord injury was ‘incomplete’, the nerves may be able to find a way back to my legs,” he noted. “Incomplete means the spinal cord was not severed; it was only bruised. In months time, the swelling will go down and we will learn more on how much nerve regeneration happens.
“The doctors have told us every SCI is different. Two people with the same injury may heal differently. One may walk again and one may not. Each body heals differently. So we can not tell you a definitive answer if I will walk again. But I have full intentions of doing just that.
“The good news is, I already have most feeling and some movement back in my legs, so there is hope over the course of 24 months that I may regain enough movement to walk again! So far the signs are promising, but I’m trying not to get ahead of myself! I am just keeping my head down and working until my therapist and doctors tell me to stop!
“Thank you all for your support! I hope this has brought some clarity on all of this.”
Wickens was involved in a violent crash during the IndyCar Series ABC Supply 500 on Aug. 19 at Pocono Raceway, where his Honda went airborne in turn two and spun rapidly along the protective fencing surrounding the track before coming to rest.
In addition to his paralysis, other injuries Wickens suffered as a result of the crash included a thoracic spinal fracture, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, fractured right forearm, fractured elbow, four fractured ribs and a pulmonary contusion.
Despite missing the final three races of the season due to his injuries, Wickens still earned enough points during the 14 starts he made to clinch rookie-of-the-year honors.
