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From: GRAMANAE(AT)aol.com
Return-path: <GRAMANAE(AT)aol.com>
To: NACYTRACY(AT)aol.com, DIETAIDS(AT)aol.com, tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
Subject: AL UNSER'S DAUGHTER
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 01:58:23 EST
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Hi All!
Didn't know if ya'll had seen this or not. If so "I'M SORRY, NEVERMIND"!
Daughter's ailment `humbling blow' for Unser
By JEFF SHAIN
.c The Associated Press
Al Unser Jr. wants nothing less than a breakthrough this season. For him and
his daughter.
For CART's leading active driver, there's the matter of ending a three-year
winless streak. The challenge is ever greater for 12-year-old Cody, who's
learning to walk again after a rare spinal condition.
In some cosmic way, Unser is hopeful one might help spur the other.
``Both Cody and myself have a lot of work to do,'' Unser said from Phoenix,
where he was testing for next week's CART season-opener in Homestead, Fla.
``I want to get to Victory Lane as soon as possible. I want to give an
example, I guess, that if you work at it long enough and hard enough and want
it bad enough, you're going to win.''
It was a little over a month ago that Cody was stricken with transverse
myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord caused by an attack of the body's
own immune system.
The exact cause usually can't be identified, but it often follows an otherwise
minor viral illness -- even a common cold.
Cody, a sixth-grader, was playing basketball Feb. 5 in the family's hometown
of Albuquerque when she complained of pain and numbness in her legs. As the
condition worsened, she wound up paralyzed from the waist down.
Unser was testing at the Homestead track when he got the urgent phone call.
``It hit me right in the gut,'' he said.
Only a few days earlier, there was an unmistakable urgency in Unser's voice as
he talked about the frustration of not having won on the CART circuit since
1995.
Seeing Cody adjusted that focus. An energetic, outgoing child with a passion
for basketball, she now needed help to perform some of the most basic
functions.
``It's a humbling blow, no matter what family you're in or what you do for a
living,'' he said. ``Anytime you see one of your children in the hospital, you
feel very helpless. I'm sure fathers across America are in the same boat. I'm
no different than anybody else.''
Now comes the recovery. Cody was transferred three weeks ago to Barrow
Neurological Institute in Phoenix, where she is undergoing intensive therapy.
Doctors are hopeful she can return to Albuquerque in less than a month, though
a full recovery is expected to take much longer.
There is no consistent timetable for recovery. Patients can regain full use of
their legs from two weeks to two years. Symptoms such as numbness and weakness
often linger.
``It is expected she will make a gradual, progressive recovery and become
fully independent,'' Dr. Douglas Barrett, Cody's Albuquerque neurologist, said
shortly before she was moved.
Unser said Cody ``has her good days and her bad days. Her spirits are very
upbeat, though, wanting to learn how things work and all that kind of stuff.''
Support from the racing community has been tremendous, said Lisa Boggs,
Unser's publicist. In addition to the usual outpouring of cards and letters,
e-mail has been piling up at the Marlboro Team Penske Web site.
``It's helped lift Cody's spirits,'' Unser said. ``It's been overwhelming to
see all the hopes and prayers sent in.''
The crisis created an abrupt three-week break in Unser's winter schedule. He
canceled his appearance in the International Race of Champions series opener,
and team owner Roger Penske worked with him to reschedule a mid-February test
session.
``Roger and the team totally understood,'' Unser said. ``I can't say enough
about all their thoughts and prayers. What can I say about my boss? He knows
family comes first. He gave a perfect example by giving some time off.''
Unser's wife, Shelly, remains in Phoenix while Unser prepares for the season.
Their other three children, ranging from age 2 to 16, are with her parents
back in Albuquerque.
And now Unser's attention turns back to racing, where he's no less eager to
get his 32nd career victory. This time, however, it will have even more
meaning.
``For me, in my life right now, that'd be big-time,'' Unser said.
AP-NY-03-13-99 1025EST
Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news
report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed
without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active
hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
God Bless You All!
Renae
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