A CHAMPION Queensland
motorbike rider may never race again after he suffered
severe spinal injuries.
Matthew Kuhne, 19, was practising on a gokart track for
an upcoming Supermoto championship last week when he
fell from his bike and broke three vertebrae in his
neck.
The injuries may leave him a paraplegic. The Gold
Coast teenager has been lying for nine days in
Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital spinal unit
unable to move, waiting to be operated on.
Matthew's parents John, 46, and Lisa, 41, have
remained at their son's bedside, hopeful about their
son's future.
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 TRAGIC accident ... Matthew Kuhne
in Princess Alexandra Hospital's spinal unit yesterday with parents
Lisa and John.
Picture: Peter Wallis
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"It's devastating and I'd hate this to happen to any parent," Mr Kuhne
said yesterday."
But Matt is certain he'll walk again. He's
passionate about it (racing) and I reckon he'll walk
again."
Kuhne has dozens of racing titles to his name, and
was preparing for the Australian Supermotard
Championship at the Gold Coast later this year.
The Kuhne family said they have not yet told Matthew
he's likely to end up a paraplegic, and have chosen to
wait until he's been operated on before they inform him
of the news.
"Our number one goal is to help him through his
journey," Mr Kuhne said.
"The hospital keep pushing his operation back and
we're still waiting."
Princess Alexandra Hospital clinical chief executive
officer Dr David Theile said there had been "pressure"
on the number of intensive care unit beds, causing
problems for patients."
The Princess Alexandra Hospital, in common with
other Queensland Health facilities, has recruitment
strategies in place to alleviate the shortage of ICU
nurses," Dr Theile said."
Patients are categorised for surgery in order of
urgency, and those with the most urgent conditions
having their surgery first."
This can relate in delays for patients with less
urgent conditions."
Mr Kuhne is hoping his son with be operated on today.
"We're hoping to hear some good news," he said."
Matt only ate food for the first time today since
the accident; he had some soup and jelly."
The teenager has been overwhelmed with the response
from family and friends across the world, with best
wishes even passed on by MotoGP riders Casey Stoner and
Anthony West. |
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Published by www.news.com.au/couriermail/
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