Allen Henley, lead of the Aeroshell Aerobatic team is down and it is taking a toll on quite a few of us. Here is the initial news release and links to all updates and a blog can be found here Aeroshell Aerobatic Team homepage.
quote:
7/23 - 7AM EDT BIRMINGHAM, AL – AeroShell Aerobatic Team Lead Alan Henley was injured Tuesday night in an accident while playing with his children at his home in Birmingham, Alabama. A chin-up bar gave way while Henley was on it, resulting in a fall which caused severe injuries to his neck and a cut to the back of his head. He was taken to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital’s trauma unit, and remains there in ICU in serious but stable condition.
“Our prayers are with Alan and his family, and we are hoping for him to have a speedy and full recovery”, said Steve Gustafson, Left Wing for the Team.
The AeroShell Aerobatic Team is scheduled to fly at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, next week, the largest aviation exposition of its kind. “The show must go on,” Gustafson said, “Alan will be missed terribly, but we will be there flying for him until he recovers.”
Gustafson went on to say that the Team will fly a three-ship routine, with Alan’s brother Mark in the lead, and himself and Gene McNeely filling in the Wing positions. All Team appointments and autograph sessions will be attended, and although Henley’s absence will be felt, Gustafson noted that the Team was obligated to their fans and sponsors to give them what they came for.
I hope he recovers fully, no matter what profession, or how professional, a person might be the smallest little accident can lay you up and or end a career hopefully this is not the case.
Thanks. If you follow the links to the blog and signing pages, you can see what others are saying to Jen and Alan along with the latest updates on their ordeal. I did call Steve and checked on the rest of the team and I told him I was thinking of them also and asked that he pass it on. I know it has to be hard on them to keep the appointments while worrying about Alan.
My prayers for a speedy recovery. I was so looking forward to seeing the team again this year in Oshkosh (well, I still am) but it won't be quite the same.
True Maddog, they are there but it isn't the same. When you see the three ship performance, just say a word for Alan. When I spoke to Steve the other night, he gave me the impression that they are in high spirits.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 01, 2008 06:52 PM, CDT We had a good visit with Alan and actually got a few smiles out of him. Joe and Bridget Carnley gave us a beautiful believe ring that we can hang on to that is very special. I also snuck my cell phone into Alan's room and got Steve on the phone and I put the phone up to Alan's ear and he got to listen to Steve. His face lit up and tears welled in his eyes but I could tell it helped his heart. It also helped mine to see the light in his eyes. One hour at a time...
FRIDAY, AUGUST 01, 2008 03:26 PM, CDT We met with Dr. Jackson from Spain this morning and she did an assessment of Alan. We found out a lot more about his condition. He has damage to his left lung and has areas of his lungs that keep collapsing, so that is something to pray about. He also has a broken sternum which can interfere with with his rehab. She also told me if has no sacreal feeling he only has a 1 to 5% chance of ever walking. We are still worrying about the fever. It's been a very emotional day after my talk with Dr. Jackson. I'm going to try to relax and sit for a little bit and I will write more later.
