Kevin Babington’s wife, Dianna, shared an exciting update today about the New Jersey-based Irish show jumper, who suffered a critical spinal cord injury in a fall during a competition at the end of August. He is being treated at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange
“Yesterday he was able to feel my hand when I held his right hand. He also managed to generate slight movement in his right elbow which is not spasm or shoulder-generated,” Diana stated on Facebook.
“What might seem to be a minor achievement, to me is like an open gate to a road that was once completely impassable. My understanding is hand and elbow are generated from nerves below the site of injury, C6 C7 C8–I believe is hand, I could easily be wrong–but it’s definitely below where the contusion is.
“So my deduction is this shows connection from brain to below ‘the traffic jam’ at C3C4. This has given me hope. Today is the first day I have actually enjoyed looking at fall leaves while driving my daughter to the dentist, I actually noticed them.”
She added, “Tears have been from joy instead of frustration and sorrow. I am afraid to be happy, but I can’t help clinging onto this small moment in such a long process. Kevin was so happy to demonstrate this for us and I could see in his eyes he was lifted in his spirits. He has been so amazingly strong and brave to date.
“I am in amazement of his personal fortitude. He never breaks. He just takes each day like a champion and speaks of returning to horses. If you are a doctor and feel the need to correct my analysis, please don’t. I have swallowed so much negative information I’ve had enough to last a lifetime. Let us have this moment because it is the boat we are clinging to in this storm. We believe, and so does he, that he will recover. We must believe it or we have nothing. Please keep praying and sending positive energy. I think it matters.”
On barn night at the National Horse Show, members of the Kevin Babington Fan Club showed their support. (Photo©2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Meanwhile, the shows at Ketcham Farm in Allentown, N.J., where Kevin Babington has been based, will offer a special fundraising opportunity for Kevin’s foundation each day of every horse show in its series, starting with Nov. 16-17,. The judge will be on the lookout for a rider who exemplifies good horsemanship and they will be the winner of the “Ride of the day”. It will cost a $20 donation to the Babington Fund to enter. Prizes will be awarded.
The other dates for the Ketcham shows are Dec 28-29 and in 2020, Jan 11-12, Feb. 1-2, Feb. 29-March 1. The hunters will go on Saturday and jumpers on Sunday. there is a huge indoor arena with GGT footing and the same footing is in the outdoor schooling area.
The board of directors of the Kevin Babington Foundation is accepting donations.
To obtain bank instructions for wiring money or an address to which checks can be mailed, send an email to kevinbabingtonfoundation@gmail.com. All information will be shared through the email address in order to keep the wire information secure.
Be sure to make it clear who is making the donation when you send a check or money wire so organizers can keep track of contributions. All donations are tax deductible.
“We will continue to update everyone about our long term goals for the KBF,” organizers stated.
“Last but not least,” they said, “we’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to all who are supporting Kevin on his journey towards rehabilitation.”
