A friend of a once-avid marathon runner who was paralyzed in a bike accident last year is having a workout session Saturday to raise money for the man’s medical expenses.
Bob Stevens of Park Forest was riding his bike down a hill Nov. 9 in the Cook County Forest Preserve District in Glenwood when he hit a log ramp and flipped over the bike.
Stevens, who was wearing a helmet, landed on his head and was paralyzed from the neck down by severe neck and spinal injuries. Since that time, Stevens, 53, has suffered from a series of small strokes and has had problems with pneumonia. Unable to circulate blood or breathe on his own, he is on a ventilator in Oak Forest Hospital. He communicates with his eyes.
Over the past year, friends and family have rallied to his side, raising money to help pay for his high medical expenses.
At the time of his accident, Stevens was the president of the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club.
Tamie Christmas-Gale, a fitness trainer, is planning the fundraiser for Stevens. As the executive director and exercise specialist of Power Play Studio in Homewood, Christmas-Gale is host of “Fitness Bootcamp” from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Lincoln Mall in Matteson.
There will be three classes throughout the day, including a step program, “Motown Moves to Low Impact” and “Power Step.” Officer James Mullen and his wife, Athena Mullen, will appear, she said. Mullen is a Chicago police officer who was paralyzed after being shot in the line of duty.
Clients of the trainer have pledged donations, and people who turn out for the event can work out and make donations to Stevens.
“I’m doing this for Bob, but I’m also doing this for my sister Dee who had the courage to give me the inspiration to take control of my life, no matter how bleak the situation may appear,” Christmas-Gale said.
Dee died of leukemia at age 19. Christmas-Gale said her sister’s cancer was accompanied by paraplegia as a result of chemotherapy.
“Although Dee was ill, she never gave up,” Christmas-Gale said. “It is because of Dee that I want to help others like her. Bob was a great athlete who was also well-loved by all his friends. He always encouraged everyone to do their best and I want to do my best for him,” Christmas-Gale said.
Donations also can be made to the Robert Stevens Fund P.O. Box 127, Park Forest, Ill. 60466.
