<div>Hi, my name is Lane (Skippy), and I’m organizing this fundraiser for my friend Ian, who is no longer able to fully advocate for himself due to the effects of a traumatic brain injury.
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<div>Ian was injured at work on April 22, 2022, while performing specialized impact testing as part of a test development role. He had advanced into this position because he was a capable, trusted employee working directly with engineers.
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<div>On the day of the injury, Ian was conducting impact testing on a carbon wheel with a tire and tube installed, while simultaneously filming the test in slow motion. This required him to squat, operate the impact mechanism, and record video at the same time. During one of the tests, the wheel catastrophically failed, and the tire and tube exploded violently at close range.
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<div>Immediately afterward, Ian experienced intense ringing in his ears, balance disruption, and physical distress. The ringing has persisted since that day, along with many other symptoms consistent with post-concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, the seriousness of his condition went largely unrecognized and inadequately addressed for an extended period.
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<div>For nearly a year after the injury, Ian did not have legal representation, not because he didn’t need it, but because he believed he would heal, did not want a legal battle, and lacked the cognitive clarity to understand how critical early advocacy would be for an injured worker. Only later did it become clear that having an attorney early would not have been aggressive, it would have been prudent and protective.
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<div>Early care was provided by professionals with limited experience in workers’ compensation cases and traumatic brain injuries. Requests for additional help or clarification did not result in meaningful changes. Although Ian sensed something was seriously wrong, he lacked the capacity and support needed to advocate effectively for himself.
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<div>Ian was eventually cleared to return to work by a neurologist after a brief evaluation. In hindsight, this return proved harmful. Physical therapy worsened his symptoms, and even an early provider acknowledged limited familiarity with his type of injury. Believing he needed to push through, Ian continued working,  unaware that he was likely exacerbating his condition.
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<div><strong>In Ian’s own words:</strong>
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<div>“I truly believed I would heal if I just kept pushing. I didn’t understand how injured I was, and I didn’t have the clarity or support to ask for the right help. I was trying to be normal, to work, to survive - not realizing I was making things worse. What I want now is the chance to get proper care, stabilize my life, and work toward being independent again.”
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<div>Over time, the cognitive and behavioral effects of the injury became more pronounced, a well-documented but often misunderstood outcome of TBI. These included difficulties with focus, emotional regulation, stress tolerance, and impulse control. He was ultimately terminated following a workplace conflict that, based on what we now understand, was influenced by these injury-related impairments.
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<div>After losing his job, Ian’s health declined significantly. He spent months largely bedridden, without appropriate treatment, income, or consistent advocacy. Even now, daily tasks such as preparing food, managing appointments, or leaving the house can be exhausting and overwhelming.
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<div>I want to share a moment that made the reality of Ian’s condition unmistakably clear to me. When I recently took him to lunch, I expected to see the super fit, smiling Ian I had known for years - the athlete I used to chase on fast rides. Instead, I met a timid, visibly worn version of my friend.
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<div>Ian wore earplugs to reduce sensory overload, as sudden sounds can overwhelm his nervous system. When a loud car passed nearby, the noise triggered an immediate physical reaction - his body stiffened, his breathing became irregular, and he struggled to speak while gasping for air. It was deeply distressing to witness, and difficult to reconcile with medical opinions suggesting he was functioning normally.
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<div>Since then, Ian has been caught in a prolonged cycle of medical evaluations and legal setbacks. One medical examiner acknowledged the seriousness of his condition and attempted to help. Another concluded that his symptoms were not injury-related. Based on that report, Ian’s workers’ compensation benefits were discontinued nearly a year ago, and access to rehabilitation programs that had accepted him was ultimately denied.
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<div>Ian remains without income and without the structured care he needs to heal.  
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<div>This fundraiser is not about permanent support. It is about buying six months of stability, time for Ian to stay housed, receive appropriate care, and work toward a realistic path back to independence and employment.
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<div>If you’ve ridden with Ian, worked with him, or know him through the cycling community, you know his work ethic and love for life. With the right support, he still has the potential to rebuild. Any donation, or even sharing this page, makes a meaningful difference.
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Robert Salas

Eric McGuckin

Marie Landau

Stephen Schurke

Jill L Zavidowsky

Allison Cruz

Anonymous

Kathleen Starke

Lucy Paez Stelzner

Helen Craft

Duncan Nason

Timothy Nordvedt

Morgan Novick

From Independent Athlete to Disable by a Work Related TBI

From Independent Athlete to Disable by a Work Related TBI

Still $13,625 to go. Help us build momentum.