Jacky Martin continues long recovery from major spill

Its been a rough four months for Jacky Martin, who was critically injured in a spill at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico in early September. But he is improving, hes back home in Texas, and there is a ray of hope. Martin, 57, suffered a broken neck and spinal cord injuries in the Sept. 2 accident and remains paralyzed from the neck down. He uses a ventilator now, but his wife, Tracey, hopes that he will be able to resume breathing on his own with the help of a medical procedure down the road. Tracey Martin said in a recent interview with the Jockeys Guild that doctors were pleased with a test in Houston showing that his diaphragm, which is crucial for breathing, still functions. He was in and out of hospitals over the holidays, but he returned home on New Years Eve and is feeling much better now, his wife said. He eats just fine and can speak. She said she was encouraged that after testing, Jacky had tingly sensations in different parts of his body for several weeks. If Jacky doesnt have any major setbacks over the next month or so, he may be a candidate for removal from the ventilator that hes been using since the accident. A special device called a diaphragmatic pacemaker would then be implanted to electrically stimulate his diaphragm in much the same way a cardiac pacemaker electrically stimulates a heart. This would improve not only his quality of life, but his life expectancy as well. As one of the greatest Quarter Horse jockeys of all time, Jacky Martin won the prestigious All American Futurity seven times. He won nearly 3,000 races in a career that began in 1972 and is a member of the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame. With his insurance benefits depleted, Jackys medical expenses continue to mount. He receives disability payments from the Jockeys Guild, but he will need more help with medical bills. Tracey said she and Jacky are considering attending the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale on January 19-21 in Oklahoma City, where a stallion auction and silent auction are planned to help raise money for Jackys benefit. Tracey wants to say thanks to everyone who has offered their words of encouragement and prayers over these past four months. Thats what its going to take, you know, Jacky being strong, and God sending somebody to fix him, she said. Jackys fighting spirit gives her some peace as well. Theres no give-up in him, thats for sure, she said. She said Jacky told a friend not long ago that God has a plan for me. This isnt the end of the road. This isnt the last stop. Hes still got more for me to do. And that made me feel good. If youre interested in helping Jacky, contact him at: Jacky Martin PO Box 1722 Santa Teresa, NM 88008