WORCS Women's ATV Racer Ashley App Update

Before her life-threatening ATV accident April 1, Ashley App had powered through childhood epilepsy, back surgery and other physical hurdles.

The 21-year-old North High School grad always bounced back to her favorite activities: horseback riding, varsity softball, Rollerblading and, more recently, racing quads.

Last month's crash was so bad, though, her family is asking for the community's prayers and financial support.

Ashley is "by far surpassing what everyone thought," said her mother, Lori Jauch of Glennville. She's walking and starting to talk, though her jaws are wired shut.

Ashley's very survival was in question after the accident.

Her fiance, Kyle Miller, 25, was riding with her that day at a private track off Seventh Standard Road, practicing for an upcoming race.

"I saw it all happen," he said.

Ashley came over a tabletop where Miller, a longtime ATV racer, had been helping her perfect a jump.

The nose of the quad came down and Ashley did an "endo" -- end-over-end flip -- with the 350-pound-plus Yamaha landing on her head.

"I keep replaying it in my mind, seeing her just laying there," Miller said.

Her helmet was split in half. That and a protective neck brace saved Ashley's life, her family says.

During the helicopter flight to Kern Medical Center, emergency responders used life-support equipment. Ashley, in a coma, had skull and face fractures and a hematoma in her brain. A bolt in her head measured swelling. She remained in a coma for more than two weeks, part of it medically induced.

Ashley, who was attending Taft College's dental hygienist program, was at Kern Medical Center about a month before transferring to HealthSouth Bakersfield Rehabilitation Hospital.

She might head home this week but will need intensive physical therapy. She's had one surgery and more are in store.

And the journey is far from over.

Ashley's short-term memory is spotty. It may take a year to assess the extent of her brain injury. And it's likely she'll never fully recover, Jauch said.

The family's finances have been hit hard.

Jauch isn't working, since Ashley currently needs 24-hour care. The family's last set of bills was paid by church donations. Ashley's future is uncertain.

"I don't know if she'll ever drive again, let alone work," Jauch said.

She believes prayer circles around the country, sparked by posts on ATV-racing Web sites shortly after the crash, lent divine assistance.

"God truly gave us a miracle," Jauch said. "I truly believe that's the reason she's alive."

HOW TO HELP

Ashley App's family would appreciate your prayers.

If you're able to offer financial support, a fund has been set up at Kern Schools Federal Credit Union under the name "Ashley App Relief Fund."

You can drop off donations at any Kern Schools branch or mail checks to:

Ashley App Relief Fund

c/o Kern Schools Federal Credit Union

P.O. Box 9506

Bakersfield CA 93389

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Prayed hard for God to help give Ashley the strenth to face the first day of rehab....this is what she did not only once but three times.....she didnt want to sit down.....all day i worked with her to sit up in bed on her own....and by late last night she was sitting up by herself............keep on praying..................BABY STEPS LEAD TO A BIG BIG STEP....

Lori Anne Jauch

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WORCS Women's ATV Racer Ashley App Update

(4/28/2009) - As most of you know by now, Taft native and avid ATV racer,
Ashley App was seriously injured in an ATV accident earlier this month resulting in major injuries, including multiple fractures to the facial region, first sighted head trauma along with a few more minor issues. Today, April 27th, Ashley has made progress well beyond what anyone had expected this early in her stages of this type of accident. Ashley App has shown incredible determination and strength beyond what most of us could even imagine. The truth is a long road is still ahead. I have kept in contact with Ashley’s mom (Lori Jauch) whom deserves a tremendous amount of support as I being a father cannot imagine going through what she has over the past 25 days. Dedicated to keeping her daughter’s strengths up and showing all the love a mother could, this woman along with Ashley’s entire family deserve much applause and recognition for their efforts and standing by Ashley’s side each and every hour. The update as of yesterday was, Ashley has made huge steps, although baby steps in most eyes, huge steps in hers. Ashley is out of ICU and currently waiting to be transported to a rehab facility that the family is making their decision on as you read this blog. I encourage everyone to drop a line and continue to keep this family in your prayers. Ashley has a long road ahead and with all our support we can help make it an easy road back.

A relief fund has been set-up for Ashley to help assist her with the medical bills and costs of her rehabilitation in the future. I encourage everyone to take a little time out of your day and help this young woman. Ashley is a current WORCS member, who runs the #46 in the ATV Women’s A class. I have had numerous emails asking how they can help, here is your answer and from WORCS and the family we appreciate everyone’s support through this difficult time.

&...a letter from her mom, Lori:

WE CAN HARDLY BELIEVE ITS BEEN THIS LONG BUT HERE WE ARE. ASHLEY IS WIDE AWAKE NOW AND IS VERY TIRED OF BEING IN THE BED. PHYSICAL THERAPY IS DONE WITH HER ONCE IF NOT TWICE A DAY. HE IS GETTING HER UP OUT OF BED SITTING IN A CHAIR AND STANDING UP. OF COURSE ALL WITH HIS HELP SHE IS VERY WOBBLY. WE CONTINUE TO PUT HER IN THE CAD CHAIR AND NOW TAKE HER FOR A SPIN AROUND THE THIRD FLOOR.... SHE LOOKS ALL OVER. SHE RESPONDS VERY WELL TO ME AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS BUT NOT AS WELL TO THE DOCTORS.....LITTLE STINKER... NOW I TELL HER UNLESS SHE CAN DO AS EVERY ONE ASKS WE WONT GO TO THE EXERCISE HOSPITAL AND THEN HOME. ITS HELPING.....
PLEASE JUST KEEP PRAYING THAT SHE CAN BE STRONG AND ENDURE WHAT IS AHEAD OF HER.....THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH LJ

Lori Anne Jauch

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I can hardly believe we have been here 22 days..... This is something I never thought we would be going thru but here we are. Ashley is still in KMC. They are looking for a subaccute unit for her that will take her with the blow by traq, and a gtube for feeding.... we in kern county only have one subaccute its Delano hospital and they have a long waiting list...

Unfortunatly Ashley had so much damage to her facial bones they had to wire her jaw shut for the next five weeks... she will undergo surgery to take all the gear out of her mouth in late May. She looks good, you would never no by looking at her that she had such a bad injury.

She makes baby steps every day....she hates laying in the hospital bed she is quite frustrated..they put her in what they call the Cadallac chair and have just started doing Physical Therapy. Yesterday we sat her up in bed, then to a chair and then with the PT's much needed help she stood on her own two feet. That was the begining of her frustration I believe now she rolls throws her legs over the edge of the bed and wants up.....We couldnt cope without the help of her boyfriend Kyle and her sister Misty who stay up all night with her.. She is strong... she shocks those that see her how strong she is.. those that no Ashley no that her will to do...is very stong as well and we are counting on that and God's will to help restore Ashley to us......Keep her in your prayers and thank you one and all
We have set up a fund for Ashley (several people are doing fund raisers)

CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO:
ASHLEY APP RELIEF FUND
Kern Schools Federal Credit Union

Lori Anne Jauch
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We follow everyones comments on several sights...it has helped us know how special our girl is....She went thru 2 half hours of surgery to repair her face, they put plates over both eyes and below and wired her jaw shut because that was also broken.....she is very swollen, but by this afternoon was moving her arms and legs all over...the Trama Dr told us this is great news as it means she is comingout of her coma....and that she has use of all her limbs.....every day we see improvements...........thankyou to the "strangers" and friends who are praying with us and sending all the uplifting messages...lori

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 ITS DAY 14 IN THE EVENING. ASH WAS VERY SWOLLEN AFTER LAST NIGHTS SURGERY, ESPECIALLY THIS MORNING.....THEY PUT PLATES IN HER ENTIRE FACE WITH THE NURSE TELLINGUS "THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW BUT THE GOT HER PUT BACK TOGETHER" WAS BAD....HER JAW IS WIRED SHUT....BUT ALL IS PUT BACK TOGETHER...THEY ARE GETTING QUITE A BIT OUT OF HER LUNGS BUT SHES BREATHING WELL. HER VITALS GO UP BECAUSE SHE IS COMINGOUT OF HER COMA AND NOT THRASHING AROUND BUT MOVING BOTH LEGS...YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR A KNEE TO THE FACE.....AND HER LEFT ARM SHES BEEN SCRATCHING HER HEAD AND HER FACE ...WAS VERY WORRIED TONIGHT THAT SHE WAS IN PAIN BUT THE TRAMA DR WE HAVE GOTTEN TO NO THRU THIS CAME IN TONIGHT JUST TO REASSURE US THAT THIS IS A GOOD SIGN....HARDER ON US TO WATCH, BUT SHE SAID SHE IS VERY VERY PLEASE WITH ASHLEY'S PROGRESS.
MISTY WHO HAS BEEN HERE EVERY DAY HELPING AS WELL AS KYLE WASHED HER HAIR AND PUT LOTION ONHER ETC.....IT TOOK MISTY AND I ALMOST TWO HOURS TO USE A NON RINSE SHAMPOO, AND DETANGLE HER LONG HAIR BUT WE GOT THE MAJORITY OF THE DRYED BLOOD OFF THE BACK OF HER HAIR AND IT LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER,HAS TO FEEL BETTER TO HER TOOOO.

ASH MAY BE MOVED TO THE THIRD FLOOR TOMORROW DEPENDS HOW SHE DOSE TONIGHT.....I THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND KEEPING THIS "BABY CHRISTIAN" ON THE RIGHT TRACK.........ITS HARD BUT I AM SEEING JUST HOW HAVING GOD IN OURLIVES MAKES EVERYTHING SO MUCH BETTER. ~LORI

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Thank you so much for posting Ashley's updates.... As of today Ashlely is off the resperator and breathing on her own. Her fever is gone, her lungs are clear. They have put a feeding tube into her tummy so she is now getting much needed nutrients...I told her when they hooked it up she was getting Tri-Tip (her favorite) anyway last night she opened her bad eye a little and tracked me around the room and when I sat down. Her sister confirmed that,,,I was thinking I was seeeing things. Ashely is very stong, she scratched the scab on her forehead last night and again this morning so when one of us isnt in the room with her they tie her hand down.

Today they put her in a hospital bed chair and she opened both eyes (not all the way but half way) and seemed to enjoy being out of the bed. Her neurologist said she is improving nicely and doing well.

Once again I thank all of you for all your thoughts well wishes and prayers...
Lori

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Hello This is Ashley's Mom and Daddy Fred....we thank all of you for all your kind words and prayers. This is day 6 Ashley is off all Sedation but still in a coma. She is on the Resperator but is taking extra breaths on her own. She has developed an infection in her blood and in her lung but are treating it harshley with three kinds of antibiotics. She is moving around both legs very well and one arm well and the other some....she is a fighter and we are praying for her to be RESTORED back to us as she once was. Again thank you Lori And Fred
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• Favorite Car: 2008 Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel, lifted, chrome wheels, MT tires, deep ocean blue w/chrome striping.
• Favorite Magazine: Dirt Wheels is good, but I have to stay loyal to my TransWorld Motocross. I have stacks & stacks of them! I can't bring myself to throw them out!
• Favorite Movie: Hahaha. There's this really cheesy/kinda corny movie called Supercross, and I just can't seem to get enough of it! I just love to see other people enjoying and getting into the sport. BUT! ...Huevos 1-11 has my heart always.
• Favorite Trick: I LOVE Holy Man. I saw Bomb Squad do it one year at Dune Fest at the Oregon Coast, and I just fell in love with it. Caleb Moore can also do a really good backflip!
• Favorite Event: Supercross. And for Winter, I'm also into the flat track racing on ice. Those guys are really talented! I watched it off the DVR at least four times!
  My opponent AJ Davis rams me then says it was "my" fault, lol #221 baby!

• Favorite Rider: Oh man...anybody on Bomb Squad (Division Four). I really admire those guys.