WINNIPEG – For only an hour a day, Alyssa Selman can sit in a wheelchair.
Precious time before being confined to a bed once again.
“This is quiet nice actually,” said Selman Saturday, during an interview with Global News at the Health Sciences Centre.
Two weeks ago, her life changed forever. As the 29-year old jockey, a mother of two, was racing to the finish line at Assiniboia Downs, her horse Lord Jasmond clipped the heels of the horse in front of him, violently throwing Alyssa to the ground.
“I don’t remember getting ready to ride,” said Alyssa, “I don’t remember the race, I don’t remember the accident.”
Alyssa fractured her vertebra and after emergency surgery is beginning a long recovery, but isn’t sure if she’ll ever walk again.
“I don’t have feeling from my chest down,” said Alyssa, pointing to her ribs, “from here down there’s no feeling.”
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But still with a smile on her face, Alyssa knows she’s lucky.
“I’m realizing it could have been worse, I could have lost a lot of brain function.”
Alyssa doesn’t know when she’ll leave the hospital but her recovery will take a major step forward Monday, she’ll be moved to another ward and begin rehab.
“Nobody knows how much movement will come back,” said Alyssa.
Her husband Rumesh, cares for their two children, 7 year old Amar and 4-year old Ari, and drives into Winnipeg from Carmen everyday. He says he’s trying to remain hopeful.
“I don’t know if she’ll be completely paralyzed, I don’t know if she’ll walk again,” said Rumesh, but says he couldn’t do it without the overwhelming support from family, the riding community and complete strangers.
“It was the worst accident I’ve ever seen in all my years of racing,” Lori Mann, owns Lord Jasmond and is planning a fundraising social for Alyssa at the Assiniboia Downs July 19 on the main floor from 7 pm to midnight. Tickets are $15.
“There’s donations coming from all over the world,” said Mann, “my phone is ringing off the hook, emails are coming in from everywhere.”
Alyssa says every phone call and email gives her just a little bit more strength, strength she’ll need to get back to what she loved.
“I will ride again yes,” smiled Alyssa, “it’s a big part of me.”
Donations can be dropped off or sent to the Assiniboia Downs, 3975 Portage Avenue.
If you want to donate money, there’s a trust fund set up in Alyssa’s name at TD Bank and Access Credit Union and Assinboine Credit Union.
A gofundme page is also accepting donations.
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