brought to you by

with Sean Borkenhagen
Column by: Scott Parkinson

Do miracles happen? I would have to say, yes miracles do happen. I think miracles happen all around us. Several months back we did an interview with Sean Borkenhagen for the panicREV.org website. Sean had suffered a scary crash at Oak Hill in March. As a result of the crash, Sean broke his collar bone so severely that it caused major nerve damage which caused him to experience some paralysis in his right arm from the shoulder down. Sean was told that his arm would never be the same and that he was going to have to live the rest of his life without the use of his right arm. Sean was devastated at the time, but he realized it could have been a lot worst.

Sean was driven to find a way to prove the doctors wrong and began to focus on his faith in addition to intense physical therapy. Moreover, Sean had a lot of people praying and supporting him as he moved forward with his recovery. It was amazing to watch as Sean began to slowly regain some movement in his right arm. The last time I saw Sean was this year at Mammoth, and Sean had just got enough movement and strength back to be able to cruise around on a mountain bike. The next time I saw him was a number of weeks ago at Perris Raceway. I was shocked to see Sean wasn't there hanging out with some friends, but in his gear riding! It almost brought a tear into my eye. I was so pumped! I could not be happier for Sean or more grateful for the miracle worked in Sean's life! This month I was honored to sit down with Sean for this months On The Final Lap With …

So Sean, you are back on the bike. How does that feel?
SB: It truly feels amazing! I feel blessed, everytime I get on my bike its a different feeling then ever before. There is almost disbelief that I am on a bike again. I finally got over that mountain I had been climbing for 7 in a half solid months.

Tell us a little bit about how some more of the thought going through your mind when you first jumped back on the bike!
SB: It was a day I will remember for a long time. It felt strange just to have gear on again. That was the longest I have been off the bike, so when I threw it in gear and rode off a lot of things were going on in my mind. Right away I felt kinda scared of the power of the bike. It was the same 250f I rode before my injurey and thought was slow at the time. Jumping was scarey too. I didn't feel safe at all I felt squirly! However, by the end of the day it started to click and remember how to ride a motorcycle again! I was sooo happy that day. I got the same feeling as when I won Loretta Lynns; an indescribable feeling!

Was there ever a thought of not wanting to ride again?
SB: Yes, my mind wondered so many places. My dad and I descided when I left the hospital that I would never race again. I was OK with that at the time due to the situation I was in. I would say that lasted for about 4 months. It was a combination of the harsh reality talk the doctors would tell me [the doctors were telling Sean that we very well may never use his right arm again] and the simple fact that you can't race professionally with only your left arm.

Tell us a little bit about your crash at Oak Hill last year and the resulting injury.
SB: That day was a foggy mess for me! It was the very last moto of the day so it was pretty rough, and I was on the 450. Over a basic mellow table top (I was told my foot slipped off the peg while I was going up the face of the lip) I lost control. It threw me into a gnarly endo! My right collerbone broke and was pushed far into my back right where all the nervs that control your arm. Nervs are very sensitive so when you even touch them you will have problems wherever that part of the nerv controls, and doctors cant tell you how well it will return or even if it will return back to normal. In my case I stretched them so it took some time to get it all back to normal. My arm was just hanging their; if I wanted to move it I had to use my other arm to move it, it sucked!

What was going through your mind when the doctors said you may never use your arm again?
SB: It was like being on a rollercoaster in my mind. I knew right away it wasn't good. I was ok with it for a little, then very angry the next, and then bummed the next. I tried so hard to move my arm everyday, but it felt like someone was holding it down, or my signal from my brain got lost on its way down to my arm.  I thought, "wow this is gonna get old quick!" I had to dig myself out of this negative hole. I was able to find motivation from people like David Bailey and thought about how lucky and grateful I should be; it could have been much worse!

Did you ever loose hope?
SB: I deffinately did, whether it be to ride again, or use my arm good again. Even though it was only seven in a half months it felt like ages because of the big question mark in my mind about getting my arm better. It took weeks to get a slight sign of improvement. Sometimes my doctor would do their testing and be like, "ohh that was new." Then kill the hope with a follow-up statement, "...oh, no sorry that was just a muscle spasm." Times like that made me get down and loose hope. I am, however very happy to have some positive people in my life to help encourage me in the low times.

I saw you were out at the last round of the Triple Crown series at Perris RACING! How exciting were you to not only be out on the track riding, but competing?
SB: Haha, Yes! I know it was sooo much fun! The conditions were tough for me; really rough and rutted, but I tried my best and had a blast and thats all that matters. It felt good linning up at the gate and spinning my tire on the concrete pad getting all syked up to get the holeshot! 

I read some place that you have set the goal of racing at Whitney this year. Please tell us a little about that.
SB: Yeah! I want to start at Lake Whitney. I want to try my best and see how it goes! I can't believe its already here again, even though the year went really slow for me! But I am looking forward to racing again and having a good time riding dirt bikes again!

Will you be racing Oak Hill as well?
SB: As of right now I think I'm gonna skip it because I dont feel mentally ready to go, but that might change as it gets closer.

In regards to racing how far to you hope to go with it?
SB: I want to make it my career, I want so badly to make my dreams a reality. I have had so many ups and downs I feel God has blessed me to get back on a bike and healthy again, and so I want to go all the way!

How hard has it been to make sure you can walk before you can run (assuming your speed isn't fully back yet).
SB: It's been really tough, I am not back to speed yet, but I'm steadily getting their. My mind wants to go faster, but I can't quite physically go the speed I want. I have to constantly remind myself where I came from and that it takes time.  It's something I have never dealt with. Having people tell me, "whooaaa back it down man." It is strange to hear something like that. I usually only hear people telling me tos pin it!!!

Sean, your story is truly inspiriting! I know you have inspired me. Are there an words you would like to share to someone fighting an up hill battle?
SB: Thanks so much I didn't think I would ever inspire anyone. It's been tough, but almost like a blessing in discise, because I have learned and grown from all of it. For those of you fighting something tough in your life I always try and keep a good head my your shoulders. Don't get ahead of yourself, because chances are someone somewhere else has it even worse then you. Be happy and thankful for what you have!

Who are the people you would like to thank?
SB: I would like to give a special thanks to our good Lord for helping me get through the tough times, and blessing me with the good times. My Dad for all the effort put into me. Mom and Sisters for their love and support, you guys are the coolest! Greg Bauer and TimVtruck for the pep talks. Marky Mark Kozuki for getting my arm super ripped and strong! Andrew Langston, Dano my best friend in this world, John and Scott Parkinson,  everyone at Mid Cities Honda for always believing in me. Todd and Warren at Fox Racing for going above and beyond. Deluge Sport, Danoo Broo at DVS Shoes , ProCircuit, CTi2, Ryan at Oakley, Renthal, Twin Air, Dunlop, Buddy at ProClean 1000, Engine Ice, Baldy Steve at AC Racing, Factory Backing, Weapon MX, and anyone who has helped me in any way shape or form. I yhank you all so much for sticking by my side!

Finally, what are your typical thoughts On the Final Lap ?
SB: Well, if your out front its time for you to bust your big cross up or a kick out for the crowd, and if your in the back that you need to pass a lot of guys real quick!