LUMPY CHRISTMAS!
By Tracy Winters
12/8/06
ou might think this story is about coal in your Christmas stocking due to the word lumpy, but in fact it is about a racer. Over the years DRAW has assisted many families after a drag racing accident. To be exact over 2.5 million dollars has been paid directly to injured racers and their families. This column is about a racer Toni “Lumpy” Froehling, who obtained the nickname lumpy due to the lumps of his ribs from a drag racing accident.
This past summer Toni Froehling was racing his big fuel bike at Fort St. John in British Columbia, but something unusual took place that day in July. Just for a reference, Fort St. John is about 900 miles north of Vancouver, Canada. During a routine run down the race track the bike crashed at close to 200 mph, which left the bike in relatively good condition and Toni in not so good condition. Toni badly fractured his ribs, all ligaments were torn in his knee, and he had broken ribs on the right side, fractured vertebra in his back, torn rotator cuff, partially deflated lung and some nerve damage in his right arm. Amazingly all this damage only required 10 days in the hospital. The recovery has continued at home for several months
longer.Toni knew about DRAW and their organization, but never really pursued learning more about the organization. Since Toni’s injury he has become one of the biggest supporters of DRAW. Toni has made it a point to contact as many individuals as possible to tell them about how DRAW has helped him. Toni said, “Somehow the organization DRAW found out about my injury and started providing financial assistance to pay our bills. Having been out of work for more than two months and having a ton of bills, their help has been a real life preserver for my wife Becky and I. I’ll never be able to repay their generosity, but I will be a lifelong fan and will never miss an opportunity to do what I can to help the organization.”
Toni still has a long way to go before he is fully recovered. At the present time he is just now able to get around with a cane instead of a wheel chair.
After reading about Toni’s experience you might reconsider what “Christmas” is really about. It is not what you find under the Christmas tree, but rather what you find in your heart to help others, the strength, health and support of your family. Last but not least, it is about celebrating the birth of Christ. Wherever you are remember the true meaning of Christmas and make a difference in the life of someone this Christmas. Believe it or not it can be as simple as making a donation to D.R.A.W. or your favorite charity. Our wishes for the entire D.R.A.W. Board of Trustees for a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year!
Click here to visit the DRAW website: www.drawfasthelp.org
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