On May 17, 2010, 36-year-old environmental and bicycle advocate, Jay Fretz, was struck and killed by a vehicle while commuting home from work on his bicycle. Jay was a draftsman for a Tempe architectural firm.
Jay left behind a young wife, Angie, and a 5-year-old daughter, Anika.
Aside from the difficult emotional consequences that encircle this tragedy, meeting the needs of comfort throughout this grieving time has taken the back seat to meeting another life or death need: supporting Angie in all of the ways a human can be supported as she endures chemotherapy for a diagnosis of breast cancer and ultimately, a mastectomy.
Angie Fretz is without health insurance now that Jay has passed, is self-employed and does not earn an income unless she is working transcribing accident tapes and must raise her daughter alone. She is currently on a leave of absence from her contracted work.
http://www.ghostbikes.org/tempe/jay-fretz
Sponsored cyclist: Heidi Clayton
Teen driver sends bicyclist to hospital
March 25, 2010 1:11 PM
By Doug Murphy Ahwatukee
A woman was transported to the hospital with injuries requiring surgery after a teen, on his way to Mountain Pointe High School Thursday morning, struck her while making a right turn at Elliot Road and 48th Street, according to the Phoenix police.
“He didn’t signal or anything; he just turned in front of us,” said Steve Donaldson, who was riding in the group of bicyclists traveling south on 48th Street around 7:30 a.m. when the crash occurred.
Sgt. Chris Scranton said the student in Thursday’s crash was cited for making an unsafe turn. The victim had a shattered thumb and a possible broken back, according to Donaldson.
“The only law existing for cyclists is the 3-foot law,” which Donaldson said, requires motorists, when overtaking and passing a bicyclists, to give the rider at least a 3-foot safety margin, or face up to a $500 fine. Donaldson said the bicyclists had discussed defensive riding that morning and that he was wearing a fluorescent green ‘Share the road’ jersey when the crash occurred.
Sponsored cyclist: Josef Major
Friday, September 4th was another training day for pro triathlete Josef Major. With Ironman World Championships about 1 month away Josef was in the height of preparations. Riding the IMAZ bike course - and suffering 2 flats - Josef was finishing at dusk when he was hit by a car. Facial lacerations, dental injuries, broken ribs and dislocated shoulder meant several days in the hospital. Josef's foreign health care coverage didn't cover key elements of his care, including meals while hospitalized. TRIBE Multisport hosted a chip timed 5K run raising key funds to directly aid Josef's recovery.
Supporting Matt French
On August 26th, chiropractor Matt French was commuting to his office in North Phoenix when he was hit by a vehicle. Elbow and rib injuries required surgery and will keep Matt from working for 4-6 weeks.
Not One More is joining the support for the Matt & Megan and their 2 young girls by offering meal support. Please sign up for a time to deliver nourishment for the healing process and continued wishes for a complete recovery.
Sponsored cyclist: Vania Black
On March 1st, while riding along Carefree Highway in Phoenix, cyclist Vania Black was hit by a horse trailer.
Vania suffered from numerous broken bones, a collapsed lung and a subdural hematoma. Vania was in a coma for three weeks. Fortunately, she woke up from her coma but has suffered some brain damage. Vania is currently in in-patient treatment for physical therapy. The biggest insult of all, Vania received a ticket from 'not being in the crosswalk' and a letter from the driver's insurance asking for payment of damages to the horse trailer.
In support of Vania's recovery, her friends have been very active organizing varied opportunities for the community to offer assistance.
February 24, 2009
Dee is working on the second phase of recovery. Late January , after x-rays (sans brace) displayed the fracture holding the same height in both the standing and laying down positions, Dee was able to take it off permanently with the exception of flying and some other things.
Dee spent a week weaning myself off the brace and as of three weeks ago, began physical therapy. That said, a whole new set of issues have cropped up, as naturally will, being immobile for 4 months. Last week the back pain from weak and tight muscles/ligaments/scar tissue, was almost unbearable. Putting a few PT sessions under her belt and taking care not to do too much have helped elevate some of that pain and discomfort. Based on knee and hip issues, Dee has been cautioned by PT to stop using walking as exercise and only swim for a while until either build back the strength/balance/ mobility in those areas or getting an MRI and surgery if needed.
There are issues with Dee's shoulder as well. Either the weakness in my muscles/ back or the way she landed/ broke her back has her right side of my body twisted and contracted to one side -leaving the right leg shorter and my inability to stand straight or for long periods of time. Dee still has pain…it comes and goes. The bright side is that Dee is no longer resigned to bed and is actively in recovery mode.
Dee has been in the pool three times and is extremely happy to be there – outside. With PT and swimming, Dee looks forward to the pain and stiffness in her back (and other places) to slowly dissipate until she is pain free once again.
Dee is grateful to be able to move and to have a quality of life in her future.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
