Praise for brave motocross teen (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Praise for brave motocross teen

12:12pm Wednesday 14th June 2006 in Local By Eleanor Stride

FRIENDS and family have rallied round to help a 15-year-old boy from Chineham who has been left paralysed from the waist down after a motocross accident.

Aaron Morgan, from Martins Wood, was out on his bike with his dad Ron, 46, at the Cusses Gorse Motocross track, at Winterbourne Gunner, near Salisbury, when the accident happened.

The teenager, who belongs to two clubs and rode nearly every week, was on his final practice session of the day. Riding a new Yamaha 125cc motocross bike, it is thought he went off a jump at the wrong angle, causing him to fall badly and lose consciousness.

The Year 11 pupil at Basingstoke's Costello Technology College was immediately rushed by air ambulance to Salisbury hospital.

His mum Catherine, 40, said: "When I was told what had happened, it was the worst moment of my life. I knew it must be bad."

The accident happened on April 14 and, the following day, an X-ray revealed that two fractured vertebrae in Aaron's back had gone through his spinal cord, paralysing him from the waist down.

He was transferred to the neurology department at Southampton hospital, where he stayed in intensive care for three weeks.

Following a further month in Southampton and an operation on his back, he is now undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the Spinal Unit at Salisbury hospital.

However, the brave youngster - who missed sitting his GCSE exams as a result of the accident - is determined to overcome his condition.

Aaron said: It's hard work but I'm learning to lift myself up and sit up, so it's going well."

His efforts have been helped by the support of friends and family - including 13-year-old sister Hayley - who have set up the Aaron Morgan Trust at NatWest, Basingstoke, to raise money towards his future.

Aaron still hopes to fulfil his ambition of being a pilot, which was fuelled by holidays to Tenerife and Spain.

"I think it would be really fun flying all over the world," he added.

Remarking that his time in hospital has been boring, he joked: "I'm an expert in daytime TV."

Aaron's parents have been in hospital with him throughout the ordeal and Mrs Morgan praised his positive attitude.

"He was completely devastated when it happened but now he's focusing on going home and learning how to do everything in his wheelchair, although he's determined to walk again," she said.

"Everyone is in awe of how he's coped."

Mrs Morgan said members of Portsmouth Motocross Club, where Aaron is a member, have been collecting money, while pupils from Costello Technology College have been showing their support by buying and wearing pink wristbands for the charity Spinal Research. His teachers have also visited him.

German teacher Eleanor Abrahams said: "Aaron's accident was a huge shock to the school. Wearing the bands is a visual sign of our support."

A total of £500 has been raised and four Costello teachers are hoping to raise another £500 by running a 10km fun run in London.

Ms Abrahams, along with headteacher Julia Mortimore, Jody Walker-Barrett and Claire Seddon, will take part in the race on Saturday, July 2 - coincidentally Aaron's 16th birthday.

Describing the teenager as "a star pupil", Ms Abrahams said the school hoped to have his GCSE grades awarded on the basis of his excellent mock exam results, so he could then go to Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke.

Aaron - a keen sportsman - got into motocross eight years ago after receiving his first bike for Christmas.