'He's fought through it all': Teen's spine shattered in freak motocross accident
A WA teenager is facing an uncertain future after his spine was shattered in a freak motocross accident.
Ben Sainsbury can't feel anything from the chest down but his family are refusing to give up hope.
The 16-year-old from Safety Bay was injured last Monday during a warm-up at his local track.
He was wearing all the right safety gear as he trained for an upcoming State event.
His tyre hit a kicker and he was thrown head first from his bike.
The impact of that crash is what caused most of the injury, but the bike also ploughed through his back.
The teenager was flown to Royal Perth Hospital and spent five days in intensive care.
"He's fought through it all and it's been the worst thing we've all been through, definitely," Ben's sister Cassie Strebel said.
Ben required emergency surgery after shattering two bones in his back.
Two metal poles had to be inserted alongside Ben's spine to try and re-align it.
"The spinal cord recovers at a very slow rate and one cannot predict the extent to which it recovers," orthopedic spinal surgeon Edward Baddour said.
While Ben will not require any more surgery, he will be in rehab for a very long time.
Ben's family are staying positive but they have no idea yet when they will be able to bring him home.
"He did everything to be safe and has always been a careful rider," sister Cassie said.
"Thank god he wore all that gear on the day, because if it wasn't for that he probably wouldn't be here today."
