I just got a phone call you never want. My best buddies Brother and family were involved in a bad car accident in Southern Cali last night on their way home from watching fireworks. Someone T-boned them. The grand son is ok, the daughter has numerous bumps and bruises, the wife has broken ribs and other bones broken, and John was airlifted to the hospital where he remains in a coma. Some of you involved in the Nostalgia Funny Car scene may know John Bradshaw, he is the crew chief for the Leggitt Funny Cars, first the Heartbreaker Mustang of Leah Pruett, and now Leggitt's new Corvette, The Nitro Pirate. He was also the one who invited me to join the crew, and a big help to me learning the ropes. Please send prayers to The Bradshaws, their gonna need them.
Harold please pass along any info that you get on their conditions as you find out. Quite often we are pitted side by side with them. Nice people, what a bummer. More prayers sent
You might have met me and not known it! Spent the day at Doug's ( John's brother ) waiting for news. Turns out John's daughter received a broken vertabrae(spelling) as well. John opened his eyes once, but is not responding to the docs. They were going into his skull to relieve pressure but since he did open his eyes they'll hold off surgery and wait for now. Flying Mom down tomorrow, Doug will drive down after that to help out. Waiting is verry hard. Thanks for your prayers!
Sending some up from Florida.Hope he gets better soon.Him opening his eyes hopefully is a good sign.Take care and be positive.Later,Richie
Mom Bradshaw arrived at the hospital and told John to open his eyes and sing her "Happy Birthday" and he DID open his eyes briefly!! I've been on the road all day but returned home to a message, this afternoon he responded to a DR's request to give him a thumbs up if he could hear him and he DID! John is fighting it hard, not out of the woods yet, but all our prayers are working, although we still need them to continue. Doug is on I-5 heading south to help out, I'm here to take care of any needs up here. Thanks for everyones concern and prayers. Oh we finally got ahold of Lester Leggitt, he was waiting all day for John to come put the clutch back in the Funny Car, and had somehow shut off his phone, and obviously rushed to the hospital as well. ---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:53 PM ---------- Forgot to say I have not heard about the rest of the family, the huge concern is John as of now.
Thank you John, I'm not sure if you know how much your support helps. Actually all of my friends here. Will update as I get info.
This is a quote from sister Stacey's face book page: [h=6]Well....last night my brother was awake for 15 mins and was able to communicate by blinking his eyes, giving thumbs up and nodding his head!! I know whole heartedly that all your prayers and kind thoughts and words are the reason he is making such improvements so rapidly!! Thank you again EVERYONE for you support in this trying time. BIG hugs to all of you!![/h]Improvements each day!
Another update 7/9 : John has been awake more, although we're still talking 15 minutes out of the day..it's still progress. He was able to recognize his brother and speak his last name! He is being moved out of ICU today, turns out he has a fractured pelvis as well, and will be flat on his back for 6-8 weeks anyway. The rest of his family is very sore and banged up, all except the grandson, who is a little ball of fire, and can't figure out where Grandpa is! Thanks again for all your prayers, I know it's helping! ---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 AM ---------- Another fantastic update from Stacy's facebook page: [h=6]Update on my brother John: my mother just called me to say that John is completely out of the coma and has carried on a conversation with friends and nursing staff. He will be moved to a kaiser hospital today and has at least 6-8 weeks of bed rest due to his fractured hip. So still a long road ahead if him but at least he is awake!!! If there are any more developments, I will post them as they happen!![/h]It keeps getting better!
Update 7/11: Doug called, said John is kinda staying the same, out most of the time, but a bit more aware when he is awake. Lester was down for a visit, Doug's gonna help him put the clutch in the Funny Car in between hospital visits. Doug's mood is a little less bubbly than his sister's, and he's the one in Cali, so hard to read............ I do know John is a tough buzzard and will fight all the way, and he's got a long recovery in front of him. Keep praying folks! And know how much the Prouty's and Bradshaw's and Leggitt's appreciate it!
Thanks Gary, no real updates as of lately. John is still in hospital but out of intensive care. Still being fed though a tube which will be the key to him going home once his hip heals. Doug stayed an extra week to build a ramp for when John can come home, and has since drove home, now I'm in Pullman WA getting my daughter's college orientation settled, and won't be home to talk to Doug til Wednesday, any news I'kll pass it along. Thanks for the prayers folks!