IndyCar driver Robert Wickens says he was paralyzed in massive Pocono crash
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IndyCar rookie Robert Wickens has revealed that he is mostly paralyzed below the waist due to injuries he suffered in a dramatic crash at Pocono Raceway in August.
Wickens posted a video of his rehabilitation on Twitter showing him transferring from a table to a wheelchair, which required him to pick up his legs with his hands.
“Did my first slide transfer as a paraplegic today. My upper body is getting stronger every day. I’ve only been posting videos of the small movement in my legs, but the reality is I am far away from walking on my own,” Wickens wrote Thursday.
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“I’ve never worked harder for anything in my life. More to come!!”
Wickens' car came into contact with Ryan Hunter-Reay’s on the seventh lap of the 500-mile race and got thrown into the catch fencing, which caused it to go into a flat spin as it slid across the track and crashed into the inside wall. He was diagnosed with a long list of injuries that included spinal cord damage and fractures in his neck, legs and hands.
The 29-year-old Canadian, who is scheduled to marry Karli Woods next year, has posted several upbeat messages throughout his rehabilitation and has previously said he’ll be dancing in no time.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report