Alex Zanardi’s wife, Daniela, has provided a further update on the progress of the former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion and Paralympic gold-medallists condition, 18 months after he sustained life threatening injuries in a handbike accident.
On June 19 2020 the Italian was competing in the Obiettivo tricolore Italian national road race when he lost control of his handbike and veered into the path of an oncoming truck.
Zanardi was airlifted to the Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital in Siena and underwent surgery for severe head trauma. He has since undergone multiple surgeries and rehabilitation.
The 55-year-old has however left hospital earlier this month to continue his recovery at home with his family, which his wife described as “an important step” in his journey and one which allows more family members to spend time with him.
“The recovery continues to be a long process,” she said. “The rehabilitation programme led by doctors, physiotherapists, neuropsychologists and speech therapists has enabled steady progress.
“Of course, setbacks are there and can still occur. Sometimes you also have to make two steps back in order to make one step forward. But Alex proves again and again that he is a real fighter.
“Alex was able to leave hospital a few weeks ago and is back at home with us now. We had to wait very long for this and are very happy that it was possible now, even if there are still temporary stays in special clinics planned for the future to carry out special rehabilitation measures on site.”
With Covid restrictions in place, only one family member at a time has been able to visit Zanardi, therefore being at home provides some normality for the Italian.
“After the long time in hospital it is important for him to be back with his family and in his familiar environment. Alex hasn’t met friends and part of the family for one and a half years. Only me, our son and Alex’s mother could visit him, but always only one person per day and this only for one and a half hours.
“All this did not help to make the situation easier for Alex. Therefore it helps that he is now at home with us, even if also at home he currently can only be with the closest family as Corona numbers are increasing again. But we are with Alex all day, he is in his familiar environment and thus could return a little bit to normality.”
Speaking about his ongoing recovery, his wife added: “There is a lot of progress. Alex has more and more strength in the arms, that has increased a lot. And, other than in hospital where he was in bed a lot, Alex now spends most of the day in the wheel chair with us. He just rests a bit in the afternoon after lunch.
“You still can’t predict how his recovery will further develop. It is still a long and challenging way that Alex tackles with a lot of fighting spirit. It is a big help for him and us that we receive so much support on this way, not only from the doctors and therapists that intensively work with him. Our friends are always there for us.
“We are very grateful to everyone for that and for so much more because these strong ties give us additional energy. This also goes for the continued sympathy we receive from racing drivers, fans and acquaintances from all over the world. We would like to express a big grazie to all who send their good thoughts and power to Alex. We wish everybody a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year.”
What a courageous person! This is the definition of a true hero! Go Alex, Go!
In the same way that one may be described as being a bit of a Houdini if one always finds a way to get out of tricky situations, hopefully it will one day come about that being referred to as a bit of a Zanardi becomes a common way of referring to a person who never admits defeat and keeps climbing back after extreme adversity.