By Amber Williams amber@dmcityview.com
Bikin’ Bondu for two
Doug Eshelman and his daughter, Melissa, with her first bear. |
The City of Bondurant had a rough October that ended with two men, in two
separate accidents, immobilized with spinal injuries.
Chris Norton was a freshman defensive back on the Luther College football
team. He was closing in on a tackle as part of the Norse’s kickoff
team in the third quarter against Central College. As he collided with his
opponent he fell to the turf. He didn’t get up that day. He was transported
from the field by helicopter with a fractured neck and compressed spinal
cord with no movement from the neck down. He was flown to Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minn.
Five days later, Doug Eshelman, 48, also of rural Bondurant, suffered a severe
spinal injury after falling from a tree stand. He laid motionless on the
ground for six hours before his brother found him. He was airlifted to a
Des Moines hospital and eventually referred to Craig Hospital in Englewood,
Colo.
“
In the beginning I had high hopes of a full recovery; I just didn’t
realize how slow it is,” Norton said. “I wish I could have been
out of here and on my way a long time ago, but it’s just how it works.
I’ve just got to be patient with it.”
Chris Norton is regaining his strength and hopes to walk again. |
Both Norton and Eshelman have been more than patient, showing the determination
and perseverance of pugilists, according to doctors. Both men have recently
returned home and are working on rebuilding strength and mobility.
“
I’m really excited to go back to college in the fall and get back to
a normal routine and be with my friends and get back to school and do normal
things,” Norton said.
That’s something to celebrate, as far as Jeff Cook is concerned. He
and fellow Bondurant residents, Randy Pruismann and Steve Hall, are planning
their fourth annual Bikin’ Bondu charity event for Norton and Eshelman
on Saturday, June 18.
“
About five years ago we were doing different local benefit rides and decided,
why not do one of our own?” Cook said. “We wanted to create something
in Bondurant that benefits someone in the community (including the east Des
Moines area). Throughout the year, we look for something that’s going
on around the community, and, unfortunately, we haven’t had a problem
finding someone to benefit.”
Cook remembers the second Bikin’ Bondu event benefited an Altoona girl
who played on his daughter’s soccer team. A car crash left her in a
coma for months. The first year the event attracted only 50 riders compared
to more than 100 who now participate.
This year, the ride starts at Cory’s Irish Pub, 110 1st St. S.E. in
Bondurant at 9 a.m., following a Lions Club breakfast served at 8 a.m. The
route follows the Chichaqua Valley Bike Trail from Bondurant to Baxter — 50
miles roundtrip. However, the trail is under repair, and eight miles of the
ride will be along a secondary road from Bondurant to Valeria.
Registration is $20, which includes breakfast, a commemorative koozie or
a wristband and other items. The proceeds will be split between the Norton
and Eshelman families. Download a registration form at www.bikeiowa.com/ridecalendar,
or register the day of the ride.
For the second year in a row, the event also includes a bike rodeo. Organized
by Patti Pruismann and Jane Pearson, the event will help children learn about
bike safety as they take a chaperoned ride through Bondurant. Glenn Waterhouse
and State Farm Insurance donated bottled water, and the money raised from
the bike rodeo will help cover expenses of the event.
“
I’m very thankful for the community we’re in. They’ve really
stepped up — family, friends and neighbors,” said Doug Eshelman’s
daughter, Melissa. “Living on a farm, and now it’s just my brother
and I, people have really helped out a lot — all the way around. That’s
the biggest thing. You’ve got to have support in a situation like this.” CV
