I was reading about a skateboarder from Eugene named Owen Knight. It really hit me because I skate sometimes, too. I understand how one small moment can change everything. Owen is twenty-two and works in the kitchen at Tacovore. People say he is very friendly and laid-back. He was just out skating like any other day when something scary happened.
His family mentioned he was riding when a car suddenly moved toward him in a very unsafe way. I know that feeling when a car gets too close, and your heart races. Owen tried to jump off his board to avoid getting hit directly, but the vehicle clipped the board, sending him falling right into the curb.
The fall was severe. It shattered his hip, and his femur broke at the hip joint. I’ve never broken anything, but I once sprained my leg trying a simple trick, and it hurt a lot. I can’t even imagine what he felt then.
They rushed him to the hospital, and he went into emergency surgery that same night so doctors could fix his femur and rebuild his hip. The doctors said this would not be a quick recovery. He will be in a wheelchair for weeks and then on a walker later. He has been unable to put weight on that leg for almost three months.
After some time, he returned home to rest, and everyone thought he would slowly improve. But then he developed a high fever and felt very sick. He had to go back to the hospital, and tests showed he has blood clots in his lungs, which made everything harder. Now, he is on strong blood thinners, and doctors are monitoring him closely.
His mom, Amanda Mae Woodruff, shared everything on Facebook, and it was tough to read. She said Owen had this terrible combination of injuries and lung clots. She also noted that he won’t be able to work for months, so they need help with rent and basic living expenses while he focuses on healing. I understand because I know how expensive even small hospital bills can be, and his injuries are serious.
His aunt, Mary Holmes, set up a GoFundMe called Help Owen Knight Recover from Devastating Skateboarding Accident. They want to raise $10,000 to cover rent, food, utilities, and all the medical needs he has right now. This includes a good wheelchair, a walker, a shower chair, and safety bars for his home.
Mary also posted an update on GoFundMe saying his fever returned, and something felt wrong, so they took him back to the hospital. After a long night, they finally found the lung clots. She mentioned he is on blood thinners, but the recovery will be longer and more complicated.
People who know Owen say he is very independent and never asks for help. But right now, he has no choice. He can’t work until maybe March or April. The bills are piling up, and his body needs time to heal.
If anyone can support or share his fundraiser, it would greatly help Owen. I hope he gets stronger every day. When something like this happens to a skater in any community, it makes you think about how quickly life can change. I hope he heals well and returns to skating when he is ready. You may also be interested in: Roseland New Jersey Resident James Hugh Cunningham Passes Away At 59 After Living With ALS
