Da Matta out of ICU

[theunions]

Latest from RuSport.


Cristiano da Matta Transferred Out of Intensive Care

RuSPORT driver's condition continues to improve; long-term rehabilitation planning begins


LOVELAND, Colo., Aug. 20, 2006, 4:15 pm EDT - Champ Car World Series driver Cristiano da Matta (#10 RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) has been transferred out of the intensive care unit at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisc. His condition has improved significantly over the past few days, though he is still not completely conscious, responsive or able to speak. Da Matta was injured after colliding with a deer that ran onto the track near Turn Six at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. during a Champ Car Open Test on August 3, and has been at Theda Clark ever since, with his family and several members of the Champ Car community at his side.

Champ Car Medical Director Dr. Chris Pinderski has been in constant contact with the medical staff at Theda Clark to monitor the condition of da Matta.

"Cristiano is still making daily progress while recovering from injury two weeks ago," said Pinderski. "Yesterday, he was transferred out of the intensive care unit to an intermediate care unit at Theda Clark Medical Center. We will now begin the process of planning for longer term rehabilitation which is necessary after significant head injuries."

Da Matta's teammate, Justin Wilson (#9 CDW / RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone), traveled to Neenah yesterday with RuSPORT president Jeremy Dale, to visit da Matta and his family.

"Justin and I are both very happy to see the improvement in Cristiano's condition," said Dale. "The staff here at Theda Clark has told us that he is making remarkable progress, and that is encouraging to us and to the da Matta family."

[DagoFast]

:thumbup:

[spinner26]

:thumbup: ;)

[nissan gtp]

that's great news :thumbup:

[Spicoli]

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[dando]

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

:-)

-Kevin

[Ronbo]

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: +1

[Andrew Longman]

:thumbup: x 6

[Gangrel]

Unlimited :thumbup: !!! Go Shorty!!!

[Hard Driver]

Glad to hear he is making progress. Although it is still sad to hear how bad he still is and the fact that he is still not concious. Also sad he has such a long road to recovery ahead of him. Go get 'em shorty.

[oddlycalm]

Fingers still firmly crossed and hopeful.

oc

[Jervis Tetch 1]

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Certainly great news. The best I've heard all week.

[cameraman]

LOVELAND, Colo., Aug. 24, 2006, 3:30 pm EDT - Champ Car World Series driver Cristiano da Matta (#10 RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) continues to make significant progress as he recovers from a serious head injury at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisc. Over the past few days, da Matta has become more responsive to verbal commands and audible stimuli, and has continued to move his arms and legs regularly. Da Matta was injured after colliding with a deer that ran onto the track near Turn Six at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., on August 3. His family has remained by his side throughout his recovery process.

Champ Car Medical Director Dr. Chris Pinderski spoke with the Theda Clark medical staff today. The following statement is an update from Pinderski on da Matta's medical status.

"Cristiano has now been transferred from the intermediate care unit to a regular hospital room at Theda Clark Medical Center. He is becoming increasingly responsive to verbal commands from family and hospital staff. He continues to make daily progress in his recovery, and we look forward to that trend continuing in the coming days."

Further updates on da Matta's condition will be issued by RuSPORT as they become available.

[devilmaster]

Gustavo is posting at the main page of CDM's website. You can also offer your comments there, and he will be reading them.

www.damatta.com


Gustavo da Matta - Neenah / Winsconsin @ 20.08 @ 14:26
Once again, I'm here to thank you all for the support you've given to us, and mostly to Cristiano. Today we had more good news, which we want to share with you all. On the 18th, he's been removed from the CCU (critical care unit) to the ICU (intensive care unit), where he's been stable and responding to a few commands. For a short period of time, he can have his eyes opened, he's moving around a lot, he has pretty much strengh in both legs and arms, and seems to understand what is going around. The swelling is going down but still a lot of fluids in the brain. Today he is going to a regular room in the hospital, which is one more victory. He still have to go through another surgery to put back the bone that was removed from the side part of the skull to avoid brain pressure while it was swelling. The doctors will schedule the surgery whitin two weeks.

[Anteater]

Gustavo is posting at the main page of CDM's website. You can also offer your comments there, and he will be reading them.

www.damatta.com
Awesome comments on that site--I had no idea that Boris Said was a da Matta fan!

Wonderful news in that latest update. :thumbup: :)

[Ronbo]

Awesome comments on that site--I had no idea that Boris Said was a da Matta fan!

Wonderful news in that latest update. :thumbup: :)

I have looked down that list, and there are a LOT of drivers and the like that have posted comments!

CDM will feel good all over again, when he wakes up and reads them!

Push.....

[Anteater]

Last night on "Wind Tunnel", Robin Miller reported that on Sunday morning, after the medical staff removed his tracheotomy tube, Cristiano spoke to his dad. He said in Portuguese, "Man, that hurt!"

This is huge! :thumbup:

[nrc]

Fantastic news! :thumbup:

[KLang]

Great! :thumbup:

[skaven]

Last night on "Wind Tunnel", Robin Miller reported that on Sunday morning, after the medical staff removed his tracheotomy tube, Cristiano spoke to his dad. He said in Portuguese, "Man, that hurt!"

This is huge! :thumbup:

That's the best news in a long time ! ! ! :thumbup: