Background Michael is a 38 year old man and former member of the Randwick Botany Cycle Club who was run down on Wednesday

Michael Howarth is thankfully on the mend and all the members of RBCC wish him a speedy recovery.

Background
Michael is a 38 year old man and former member of the Randwick Botany Cycle Club who was run down on Wednesday, March 6 at around 11:30pm on the M2 motorway while riding home from work. A traffic camera showed that a white Toyota Dyna van had suddenly veered to the left (off the main road) and hit Michael, sending him flying into the air. The van then swung to the right and resumed its course.

Michael was taken to Royal North Shore hospital where he is still undergoing treatment for many serious injuries including scull fractures, spinal fractures, multiple rib fractures, serious shoulder injury, etc etc.
The driver of the truck was charged about a week later in relation to the hit and run accident with dangerous and negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm, as well as not stopping and rendering assistance after an injury collision. He will next appear in Parramatta Local Court on May 16.

Current Position

Michael's been home for 2 weeks, and I selfishly say what a wonderful 2 weeks it has been! It is just so lovely to have my husband home, and he is doing very well - I'm so proud of him. I guess we all are....

As anticipated, the fortnight has been fairly frantic with appointments and rehab (including Michael's commitment to his physio home program so we only need to attend the hospital for rehab once a week, so far). I've been doing some pre-natal excercises alongside Michael - can't possibly allow HIM to be more fit than ME for July 3rd!!

Last Wednesday the physio assessed Michael on a stationary bike without any back support. She felt that as long as he continues all excercise while wearing his brace, he can try climbing on his own bike set up on the 'wind trainer' at home. That was all he needed to hear! Michael has now incorporated 20 minutes of cycling into his exercise regime, and is thoroughly enjoying it. And you guessed correctly, he now has a goal of getting back into racing on a Sunday with the Vets at Hombush by September/October THIS YEAR!! I dare say, I'll take poppet along on the first Sunday to be part of the celebrations.

Looking ahead, May will be busy. I'm planning to return to work (part-days for a few days per week) to assist in some tasks while changes are happening and to complete my handover as I venture into Maternity Leave. I would like to add here that my workplace has been just so extremely supportive to me over this period, and I really don't think I would have been as strong or confident throughout this ordeal without this support. Thanks to everyone at HANDS and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, both Michael and I appreciate the support. Michael's work has also been extremely supportive and concerned. Thanks to everyone at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, your contact and kind thoughts have really impacted on Michael's recovery.

We also have various specialist follow-up appointments during May, quite a few because Michael was seen by a different team for his skull fracture, shoulder fractures, vertebra fractures, while also needing follow-up assessments for identifying any neurological damage, and he is also linked in to a Brain Injury Outreach Team to ensure all angles are assessed and all follow-ups achieved. His vision continues to cause him grief, but that is being assessed today, and if unable to be "fixed" with new lenses will at least have gotten the ball rolling for further assessment.

We have also met with a Solicitor regarding the incident, and hope to recover costs for property damage and be advised regarding compensation associated with personal injury. We believe the culprit will have a court hearing on the 16th May, but apart from that Michael and I haven't given this side of the incident much thought or energy. We believe that our anger and frustrations are better turned into positive energy for rehab and good recovery. Michael remains quite positive since "waking" from the coma, and tells me he believes he has been given a second chance, has so much to live for, and best not to waste this energy on what happened but look ahead in a positive way. You've got to hand it to him, he's sensible and determined and that's what's going to get him well again.