AMA weekend

Brett with Jake Zemke



Brett with Josh Hayes



Brett with Miguel Duhamel

Hello everyone! You haven’t heard from me in a while; so, I thought I would post.

This past April’s AMA races were the best yet for the Cole family. Brett had first class treatment, and because we are his family, we got special treatment as well.

Betsy R. got passes for us that allowed us to enter the 2nd floor of the paddock building. It was great being able to watch the races from there - inside the temperature controlled building! And the free food was great! These passes also got us into parking lot A. They also gave us access to the courtesy vans. (The vans will pick you up anywhere and drop you off anywhere!) Thank you Betsy!!

For those of you that do not know, Brian Pope from Fox 6 News contacted Brett and asked if he could do a story on him. Of course, we all said yes. Cameraman Allen (our new friend) went out to Little Talley and recorded Brett riding. He did a great job! Then Allen and Fox 6 News reporter Sheldon Haygood (another new friend) came to the house, in Trussville, and interviewed the family. The story aired on Fox 6 News on, Sunday, April 27, around 5:00 pm. Fox 6 team did a wonderful job!

We saw Allen at the races and he got passes for Brett and me to go to the 3rd floor of the paddock building and meet some of the racers. We watched Speed TV interview the race winners. Brett got to meet, shake hands with, and have his photo taken with several racers including Jake Zemke, Josh Hayes, and Miguel Duhamel. These guys are all so very nice.
Jake Zemke autographed his podium hat and gave it to Brett. (I don’t know why, but I cried when Jake gave Brett his hat) He also received autographed photos from Jake, Josh, Miguel, and Ben Spies.

While we were on the 3rd floor, Brett and I got to meet and shake hands with Mr. Barber himself. What a great guy! With a great track! And a great museum!
While we were on the 3rd floor, Brett and Stacey got to stand next to Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, the parents of racers Tommy, Nicky, and Roger Lee Hayden.
Thank you Allen!!

While we were at Barber, Doug Demmons from the B’ham News came out and did a story on Brett. There are 2 on the web and one in the paper (April 21st). The stories are all the same, but the headlines and photos are different. Thank you Doug. It was a very good article!

http://blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow/2008/04/trussvile_teen_hopes_to_race_b.html

http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports/120876575814580.xml&coll=2



Brett also got to hang out with several friends from the FBR group. We all had the joy of meeting Misty Hurst. She was the only female racer in the AMA’s that weekend and did very well on Sunday. It is impressive to see her race against all the guys and see her do so well.

She had a race buddy pitted with her named Josh. Josh needed an umbrella girl, and Brett was the man of the hour! He negotiated for Josh and got Kim to come and be Josh’s umbrella girl. I believe Josh was very pleased with Brett’s choice of girls!

Brett still suffers from the phantom pains. Please pray that God will heal his pain as He leads, guides, and directs Brett’s heart and mind in the path that He has planned for his life.

Thank you all for your prayers and support of our precious son!

Blessings to you all,

Coleen (aka Brett’s mom)

April update

Brett has recently experienced an increase in pain and discomfort. On Monday 4/7 he received another nerve block. Today he seems to be doing much better. (We continue to ask for prayer and relief from this pain.)

Two weeks ago (3/29/08) Brett enjoyed another track day at Talladega. He rode in the intermediate group and performed very well. His riding skill and confidence continue to improve both on and off the track. (He was also filmed by the Fox 6 news team in advance of a story they plan to complete about Brett.)

I know he is anxious to finish the remaining month of this term at Jeff State. He seems to be doing okay in school.

Stacey is now living at home and also attending Jeff State and is doing very well. She is also working at the Foodworld pharmacy. It has been good to have her around more often.

We are all excited about the upcoming AMA races at Barber. It is an event we all enjoy as spectators. Hope to see you there.

Recent pictures of Brett at Talladega.

Dirt biking at Highland Park in Georgia

Much has happened since Thanksgiving. We all enjoyed time together during the holidays and welcomed the New Year.

Brett continues to show great progress in all areas. He has become quite the accomplished dirt biker. We recently spent a fun day at Highland Park in Georgia where Brett amazed us with his ability to ride many of the difficult trails.

Here is an excerpt from a recent web post along with a few pictures.

Excerpts…

Re: Dirt Ride this Weekend?

Posted by: "John Harrison" johnharr@hiwaay.net jmh_bham

Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:32 pm (PST)

FBRs, ………….
“One of my favorite things to do is watch (and help if I can) riders learn new skills and learn to enjoy riding off-road. Everyone was grinning for most of the day and watching fellow FBR's branch out into something new, do it so well, and have so much fun made for a very special day.”
…………
“But the two that I was most impressed with were the Cole boys. Brett's dad, David, looked a bit like a monkey on a football with his tall frame folded up on Brett's old TTR225. I think this was his first time in the dirt too. Because he was too tall for the bike, he could not get his weight forward enough on the climbs and had a hard time keeping the front wheel down long enough to steer. But he never gave up or demonstrated anything but a huge dose of enthusiasm for being out riding with his son. What a great sport he is, not to mention a great dad. All he needs is a bigger dirt bike and some more saddle time.

That brings me to Brett. Words cannot describe what I saw Saturday. This young man's riding ability is beyond impressive. He handled everything we tried and every time I looked at him to see if he was OK, he gave me a look that seemed to say "OK, what else you got?" Did I mention that I love riding with these guys. “
------------------------
From: Ryan Nelson
To: FloribamaRiders@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 8:35 PM
Subject: Re: [FloribamaRiders] Re: Dirt Ride this Weekend?
……………….9 FBR's had a great time at Highland Park today!

Brett's motorcycle talent amazes me, and his Dad David did great on his first
dirt adventure.
Pics at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/RyanNelson515/20082DirtBikesAtHighlandPark

Best pic of the day:
http://picasaweb.google.com/RyanNelson515/20082DirtBikesAtHighlandPark/photo#5167766333838508530

Brett:

http://picasaweb.google.com/RyanNelson515/20082DirtBikesAtHighlandPark/photo#5167765938701517026

Petition: "Assault in the First Degree....

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the petition: "Assault in the First Degree for
drivers with suspended or revoked licenses"

Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing
the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are
trying to reach 2,000 signatures - please sign here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/851354389

Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family
to sign as well.

Thank you!

David Cole


http://www.thePetitionSite.com

Thanksgiving

We had a good track day on Friday 11/23 at the Jennings Motor Grand Prix in Jennings Florida. Brett rode well and I had a minor crash! (Only damage was my thumb, a clutch lever and my pride.)

It was a good Thanksgiving holiday allowing Stacey, Coleen, Brett and I to enjoy quality time together.

Brett has now purchased a frame for a Suzuki SV and is preparing to put the motor from the wrecked motorcycle into it. He continues to work on motorcycles and attend classes at Jeff State. He is ready for this term to be over.

As we approach the Christmas season – I wish you all a blessed holiday season and thank God for our savior Jesus.

Keep up the prayers – they work miracles.

November update

Recently Brett and I visited his friend and fellow riding enthusiast Gary Childs in Memphis, TN. Gary had an accident July 13^th 2007 that bruised his spinal cord and left him partially paralyzed. He has been at the VA spinal rehabilitation hospital in Memphis and appears to be making good progress. We pray for his recovery and speedy return back to Birmingham. It is encouraging to me that Brett remains concerned about others.

Brett and I will be riding in a track day on November 23^rd in Jennings, Florida. This will be the second time for Brett to ride on this track but the first since he lost his arm. Brett has been investing time and money in improving the performance of his Hawk and he is excited about another “track day”. He has also been kind enough to work on my Hawk but I assure you it will not be as fast as his!

We finally received a settlement from Travelers Insurance for the medical coverage and the property damage claim should be resolved this week. This has been an ordeal but our attorney, Leon Ashford, has helped us tremendously.

Please learn this lesson; I encourage everyone to increase their “uninsured/underinsured” coverage on your policies.

Brett bought another dirt bike and has equipped it with left handed controls. He changed the controls back on his other dirt bike so his friend Justin Rickles could ride with him at The Ridge this past Saturday.

I am constantly amazed at Brett’s ability to do things mechanically within his limitations. I truly believe that there is nothing that he cannot do. He rarely asks for help and is very independent.

God continues to sustain us all and He demonstrates his power through Brett’s accomplishments and perseverance. Prayers have been answered and I ask you to continue to ask God to relieve Brett’s nagging pain.

As we approach Thanksgiving this week – We are indeed thankful to all of our friends and family for the love and support demonstrated toward us. To God we are most thankful in sparing Brett’s life and allowing us to experience God’s triumph through adversity.

PS: I clipped this post from John Harrison regarding Brett’s dirt bike ride at the Ridge…

“To say that I was impressed with Brett and his riding ability would be a
gross understatement. Y'all already know how determined and skilled he is
as a rider on the track, but this young man can handle rocks, roots, and
hills too! I was not sure what his comfort level or pace would be, so I
would ride on ahead so he could set his own pace and then I would wait at
the trail intersections. Jason rode sweep behind him. Some of the places I
waited allowed me to look back and watch him winding and bouncing through
the woods and it really was something to see. I never had to wait very long
either, he was right there. I was also impressed with Brett's best friend.
You can just tell that they are long time, close friends. He rode with
Brett all day and he seemed to know exactly what Brett could do and also
when to assist. Nothing spoken, they just know each other well. I hope
that I don't embarrass them by saying all this, but friends like that can be
hard to find and it was great to see young men with so much maturity riding
together.”

October update - Brett on track @ Talladega

It has been way to long since my last update. Brett continues to make progress in many areas. He is half way through the fall term at Jeff State. He has completed two successful track days at the Talladega Grand Prix Track .

Brett continues to work on motorcycles and he is also riding his dirt bike more often.

Pain continues to taunt Brett but he perseveres. He gets a nerve block about once every three to four weeks and he remains on the nerve pill Lyrica. (Coleen and I struggle with our inability to provide relief. We can only trust God to provide his comfort.)

Our world will never be the same but we know God is in control and He will receive all the glory through Brett’s recovery and his life.