Summit athlete who injured his spine in bike crash renews passion, success in sports with berth to state track meet
David Cudd/Courtesy photo
Summit High School sophomore Jamison Lee was not sure what his life would be like after being involved in a serious mountain bike accident in Angel Fire, New Mexico, last June.
The avid mountain biker, skier and football player had recently completed his first year of high school when he crashed while competing in a downhill mountain bike race. The severity of the crash resulted in Lee being airlifted by Flight for Life to the University of New Mexico Hospital’s Level 1 trauma center for immediate care.
While in the hospital, medical professionals discovered that Lee had multiple rib fractures on his right side, pneumothorax, and T5 and T6 spinal fractures. Lee underwent emergency spinal surgery to address the spinal fractures with surgeons fusing his T4 through T8 thoracic vertebrae.
After the surgery, Lee remained unable to move from the belly button down and was forced to stay at the hospital in New Mexico for 10 days before being flown back to Colorado for further care.
In the weeks and months that have followed, Lee and his family have spent considerable time at the Craig Hospital, participating in its world-renowned neurorehabilitation program, relearning everyday activities and trying to get a grip on what life may look like going forward.
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“Recovery has been going well,” Lee said. “Still nothing back yet, feeling wise. That is pretty consistent. I am adapting more to life in a wheelchair and overall it has been going good.”
One of the biggest challenges Lee has faced in his recovery is figuring out how to be independent and mobile again. Previously unfamiliar with how to move around in a wheelchair, Lee had to climb a steep learning curve.
“Maneuverability was a big challenge to overcome — being in a wheelchair and working with my legs as well, figuring that stuff out,” Lee said. “Adjusting to life was also a challenge. Adapting to how new my life is going to be.”
In the fall, Lee reached the point where he was mobile enough to be on the sidelines of several Summit High School football games. Whether it was a warm Summit County fall evening or a blustery, winter-like game, Lee wheeled his chair to the sidelines and watched the Tigers fight for a win.
Although he was disappointed he wasn’t shoulder to shoulder with his close friends and teammates, he was still grateful to be able to be part of the team in some capacity.
“To be honest, it is pretty rough knowing that I may never play football again,” Lee said. “It is nice to still be out there and feel included as part of the team.”
While Lee recognizes he may never be able to run across a football field for a touchdown, he has found new interests and ways to scratch his competitive spirit. This spring, specifically, Lee has gotten the opportunity to try out a racing wheelchair and compete in several adaptive track races.
“It was really about finding out how I could get back to sports as fast as possible,” Lee said. “Track was the one sport that I could possibly do that wasn’t high risk for hurting my back or head again like skiing or biking would.”
Lee started training alongside members of the Summit High School track and field team at the beginning of the season and quickly fell in love with the sport. Like most new adaptive activities, it took Lee a couple of practices to grow accustomed to his racing chair, but soon enough he was building muscle and honing his skills on the track.
Training in the racing chair two to three times a week, Lee quickly reached the point where his endurance was high enough for him to compete in his first adaptive track race of his career at the beginning of April.
“It was super exciting for me,” Lee said. “I am back into sports, and I am not in my room anymore doing nothing. I have something to keep my mind off of things. It was really fun to get out there with all my friends, mess around and see what happens.”
Most recently, Lee competed at the Randall Hess Roughrider Invitational in Johnstown on April 19 in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. The sophomore competed highly at both meets, working to master skills and make improvements to his technique.
The two races were so successful that Lee got invited to the Colorado State Track and Field Championships at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood from May 15-17. The event is expected to be a culmination of everything Lee has learned and worked hard for this spring.
“I am honestly happy that I qualified,” Lee said. “You know, I have never done this. It is all brand new to me. I am happy that I qualified and get to go down there to race.”
Like any passionate athlete, Lee has set several goals for himself over the next few years. While he is still very much learning what he is capable of in the adaptive sports world, Lee has already set his sights on the next Summer Paralympic Games.
“As an athlete, you are always trying to be at the best level,” Lee said. “Hopefully by 2028 I can make it to the L.A. Paralympics. That would be a big goal of mine.
Outside of track, Lee would also like to explore other adaptive activities like bowling and skiing.
Lee will compete at the Colorado State Track and Field on the first day of competition on Thursday, May 15. Lee will be joined by several teammates who will also be competing at the state competition. For more information, visit CHSSANow.com.
