Longtime readers may remember hearing about British gold medalist James Cracknell, who was seriously injured during a cycling accident in July 2010 on Route 66 near Winslow, Arizona.
A side mirror of a passing vehicle struck Cracknell in the head, fracturing his skull. A hospital in Phoenix was forced to put the endurance athlete into an induced coma for about 10 days to keep him from dying. The helmet Cracknell wore during the accident also probably saved his life.
More than five years after the accident, Cracknell talked to The Daily Mail in London about his brain injury and the impact it made on his wife and family.
Thankfully, James recovered, but was left with damage to his frontal lobe – the part of the brain that controls things like mood, empathy and motivation. Overnight, James’ personality changed drastically, and he became hard to be around.
“My kids had one dad for six years and another for the last five; it was very difficult for them to come to terms with,” says James sadly. “But Bev challenged me constantly. She refused to apologise to other people on my behalf so, often, after seeing friends, I’d wake up with a list of people I’d offended and needed to apologise to.”
With his family’s support, he has slowly rebuilt his life. “The accident is something that happened to me, but I’m not going to let it define me – in the same way, the Olympics is something I did but that’s not all I am,” says James.
“The biggest challenge was knowing that 80% of all people with brain injuries end up getting divorced. All I wanted to hear was Bev saying, ‘You’re back’.”
Cracknell acknowledges he still struggles with his brain injury, including epilepsy. As we’ve learned from NFL players who’ve suffered from such problems, one never recovers 100 percent from brain injuries. They have to be managed, and other problems may emerge in the years to come.
On a happier note, Cracknell and his son a few months ago rescued a boy and his grandfather who were caught in riptide while swimming and nearly drowned.
(Image of James Cracknell in 2014 by Roy via Flickr)
Motor vehicles pay for the roads. If bike riders want they should pay for their own roads and stay off roads used by motor vehicles.
The history of roads would indicate you’re wrong, VOR. The good-roads movement during the early 20th century was fueled primarily by cyclists.
And you’re also rashly assuming cyclists don’t drive motor vehicles.
Ron if your saying that Jim coming from England paid taxes to build roads in America,well I hate to tell you but your not the sharpest knife in the drawer. If anyone is dumb enough to ride a bicycle on open roads with multi ton vehicles going better then sixty miles per hour well he got what he deserved.But your free to break out your crying towel for poor old Jim and reach deep in your pocket to send that meathead a few bucks,just don’t ask me too.
By the way you shouldn’t be allowed to use this forum to promote your personal agenda.
Voice of Reason
Reality check: People are legally allowed to bicycle on our nation’s roads, and always have been. That is irrefutable. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like it.
To imply Cracknell “deserved” his near-fatal accident shows a breathtaking contempt and callousness that I cannot comprehend. No wonder you’re hiding behind a pseudonym.
And this is not a public forum. This is my website and I own it, so I will avail myself to say what I wish from time to time.
Props to you for that accurate answer. Roads are for everyone from skateboards and bikes to cars and big rigs.