Kelley Posthuma looked left, looked right, as I walked up to her while she was flagging for a race of the Fire/Police moto-cross series in mid July, 2006, at Starwest MX. She was aware and ready to gallop to the aid of any fallen racer at any second. However, the recent high school graduate was still able to smile and share a few words with me.  Introducing ourselves, she pointed up to a branch on small tree by the Starwest sign, she said "see that peach faced love bird." Looking in the area she had pointed I could not see anything, but after some coaching from her, and craning of my neck I spied the small bird which had taken refuge on the solitary tree. My respect for her grew instantly with her caring nature for that nomadic bird, and her concern for the safety of the racers.

Stopping by to share a few words throughout that evening I had no idea that this would be the last time I would ever see this pretty young recent high school graduate standing on her own power. I showed up for a race the following Saturday when another flagger, my good friend Erin, came up to me asking if I heard about Kelley. I had no idea what she was talking about, but listened closely as she explained to me that Kelley had a tragic motocross accident early in the week and was paralyzed. The reality of what I was hearing was incomprehensible, having just met her that Monday she seemed so full of life and ready to tackle life outside of high school.

This was no dream and the reality was concrete, as Kelley sat in the hospital with a compressed T5 vertebrate, a collapsed right lung, torn liver, multiple compound fractures on both arms, broken fingers, and no feeling from her chest down. While in the hospital a member of the staff improperly inserted a tube into left lung, constricting her breathing. Kelley struggled with her breathing for well over a day after the improper tube replacement. Taking matters into her own hands she wrote a note saying she was having extreme difficulty breathing. The staff finally fixed the problem after furious debate between themselves according to reports. With that problem resolved, Kelley also endured three surgeries on each arm, having a plate installed in her right arm.

Kelley is now at home recovering and getting back in the drivers seat of life. She has started rehabilitation and is making plans to continue to her education and life long dream
of becoming a doctor. Battling with her conditions and the resulting complications that she will be dealing with for the rest of her life, Kelley remains positive, upbeat, and looks forward to her future.

Donna Edwards of Perris Raceway started fund raising efforts at her track immediately after the accident with a concerned donor contributing a large amount of lumber for the building of ramps for Kelley at her home, as well as numerous cash donations. Fund raising efforts will continue and a booth will be set up for Kelley at Glen Helen Raceway, November 5, 2006, at the White Brothers Vet Nationals.

For donation information and letters of encouragement please email Kelley at roll4kelley@yahoo.com .