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FORMER FACTORY KAWASAKI OFF-ROAD PROFESSIONAL RACER, WORCS/ISDE STAR JOSH MORROS EMERGES FROM A COMA TO EMBARK ON A 2700 BICYCLE RIDE TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT BRAIN INJURIES
On June 20th, Josh Morros will depart Reno, Nevada on a bicycle beginning what will be a 2700 mile ride across 10 states to the headquarters of the Brain injury Association of America in Vienna, Virginia (near Washington D.C.). The reason for the ride? “Because I Can,” says Josh. And the amazing part of the story is just a little over two and half years ago, he couldn’t.
In 2006 and 2007 Josh Morros was a name you heard often in the off-road racing world, racing a Kawasaki 250F in the desert and banging bars with some of the biggest names in the sport. In 2008, the 16 year old Morros moved from AMA Amateur to Professional. As a Factory Kawasaki Team Green rider, Josh captured a holeshot start and led his first Pro WORCS race for more than an hour of the two-hour race, settling for a 3rd overall podium finish. This earned him respect from his new professional peers. To highlight it all Morros earned a spot on the prestigious IDSE (International Six Days Enduro) Junior Trophy team, being the youngest rider. Life could not have been better for this teenager from Reno, Nevada. Then one day in August 2008, at the blink of an eye, a crash going 80 mph plus on that desert course in a AMA National Hare and Hound competition, changed his whole world.
As his body, bruised and bloody, lay comatose in a hospital bed, it was hard to believe that just hours before he was a vibrant boy making history in the off-road motorcycle world. Morros suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and had sparse brain activity. His parents were given little to no hope since it is hard to predict what happens from one brain injury to the next. Their biggest concern was, he was not acknowledging any reaction to pain and he had been in a coma for 24 days. Never giving up hope, his parents believed Josh would recover, even though almost everyone tired to prepare them to not get their hopes up. Both his parent realized none of it was going to be up to them, all they could do was be there and fight right beside their son for a full recovery.
Amazingly, Josh did wake up, and his over-achieving personality started fighting to overcome the physical and mental challenges he faced. With each accomplished task it gave him more hope and determination to achieve every obstacle in his path. Josh had to relearn everything over from almost the infancy stage of life.
Doctors still comment on his miraculous recovery in just a little over two years, and credit a lot to nutrition before and after the accident, not to mention all the initial assessment from the first responder team in Wendover, Nevada, the trauma and rehab doctors in Utah. With the type of severe traumatic brain injury Josh sustained, 99% that have survive have some sort of disability, leaving 1% able to live a normal life. Josh and his family realized early into the injury there was not a lot of awareness and found at times not having a lot of support related to brain injuries. What was available was the negative encouragement to settle with the outcome and let go of the life Josh once knew. That was not in the cards for the Morros family, instead they researched and reached out to find individuals that were willing to accept their “Never Give Up” attitude.
That is when they all decided to make a difference based on their journey and experience. It all started in late 2009 with Josh reaching out to some youth groups just by telling his story and encouraging them to strive to always be their best. Developing a good attitude as long as they were giving 100% they would always be winners and a success in life. What matters most is everyone fails in life at one time or another, but how you get back up and go forward is what truly matters. Soon they found people reaching out for comfort and needing to understand the long and grueling recovery process from TBI’s. The biggest hurdle has been the denial and lack of awareness of concussions in our youth. Then there is the short term and long term effect if not properly treated, none of this is to put a damper on doing sports or living your life with no regrets, it is about not ignoring the signs. This all led to supporting The Brain Initiative, Centre For Neuro Skills, The Brain Injury Association, RiderDown Foundation and Safe Kids.
During Josh’s grandmother’s final days in November 2010 (she sang to him every day and never left his side along with his mother the entire time he was in a coma), one of their final discussions was why Josh was restored and she wanted him to make a difference by reaching out to kids across the United States. Her words were clear, “If you tackle your mission like you did your career, you will make a difference!” That is when Josh came up with the idea to ride to the Brain Injury Association of America in Vienna, VA, which he will do in honor of his grandmother. Being a positive role model through his commitment to off-road racing, local communities and personal education he feels he can bring more awareness to the care and prevention of traumatic brain injuries.
Josh is coordinating with local groups and others along the route to share his story in order to inspire others, also to speak of awareness. He is looking for others to join parts of the ride and join his cause. His goal is to also raise $250,000 on the ride for The Brain Initiative, The Brain Injury Association and Safe Kids.
For more information, please visit: www.becauseicanride.org or call 775-771-1540.