Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Mike Ramirez was paralyzed after a motocross accident at Jordan River Park.
- He emphasizes the importance of safety gear, which saved his life during the crash.
- A GoFundMe raised over $41,000 for Ramirez's recovery, highlighting community support.
HERRIMAN — For 34-year-old Mike Ramirez, riding is his passion.
"Growing up, I just thought motorcycles, dirt bikes were the coolest thing ever," Ramirez said.
It's also a family affair. Ramirez' wife, Jami, and 9-year-old son, Axl, also ride.
"Every Sunday, my son wakes up, 'Dad, are we going to the track today?'" Ramirez said.
On April 26, Ramirez decided to do a familiar motocross trail at Jordan River State Park. But as he rode over a double jump, he came up short.
"I went over the bars headfirst into the ground with my bike still under me," he said. "As soon as I hit the ground, my bike just kind of folded my back right up."
An 18-year-old rider saw Ramirez crash and ran over to help.
"He was just telling me, 'Hey dude, everything's going to be OK. Don't worry, you're going to be safe,'" Ramirez recalled. "It was really nice to have him right there just kind of being that reassuring voice."
But Ramirez noticed a big problem — he couldn't feel his legs.
He was rushed to Intermountain Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery where they fused his spine from T-3 to T-9.
"My T-6 vertebrae exploded pretty much," Ramirez said. "I also tore two tendons in my neck and fractured two ribs."
Ramirez is now paralyzed from the waist down and adjusting to his new life.
"The doctors told me, 'There's pretty much no chance you're going to be able to get that feeling back ever again,'" he said.
While the extent of his injuries may not have been preventable, Ramirez hopes his story reminds others to have the proper equipment. He always rides with his chest protector, knee pads, boots, goggles and helmet.
"That helmet saved my dad's life," Axl said. "I have a helmet like it, and when I crash with that helmet on, it actually has saved me from getting head injuries."
"We really want you to be safe," said Intermountain trauma surgeon Dr. Mari Freedberg.
Freedberg said emergency rooms see a rise in trauma-related incidents during the summer months. These can include falls, crashes, heat-related injuries and off-road vehicle accidents.
"Make sure you're wearing your protective gear, wearing helmets whenever you get on a motorcycle, an ATV, an e-bike, a scooter, a motorized scooter," Freedberg said.
While his life will never be the same, Ramirez is grateful to be alive. And he's already looking forward to getting back on a bike.
"I still got my arms, I still got my hands, my head." Ramirez said. "We just got to make a few changes, you know? That's it."
A GoFundMe* is set up to help the Rarmirez family at this time. As of May 22, they've raised more than $41,000.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
