In the U.S. every year 11,000 people suffer spinal cord injuries and are paralyzed to some degree. …
Last year one of those was Arizona Desert Devils coach Garrett Tanner.
From his website:
I had just finished teaching my last group of students at the gym. A couple of other coaches and I decided to practice some variations of double front flips off the trampoline onto the mat. This was something I had been doing since I was nine years old and that night I had already done like ten double front flips. Well, on about the 11th one I just didn’t get all the way around on the second rotation and landed right on my forehead. …
Read the details — and check out the fundraising events — on GoGarrett.org
I know Garrett would want coaches everywhere to know about his accident. To remind others that double fronts are dangerous, even for experts.
Actually, Garrett is making good progress and is optimistic about the future. He plans to travel. And have a family.
I only wish he could make a miraculous recovery like Dutch gymnast Imke Glas. Doctors are astonished at her progress. Imke plans to go back to sport, but likely not elite gymnastics.
Related posts:
coach killed landing in pit (forward somersaulting) update – Drew’s life after paralysis (forward somersaulting)
(via College Gymnastics Board)
Gymnastics Coaching.com 