The Rowmark Academy coach and student injured in an April 9  head-on collision near Mt Hood Meadows remain hospitalized with severe injuries, but family remains optimistic over signs of improvement.

The two – coach Scott Veenis and student-athlete Hank Shipman – were returning to their accommodations after competing at Mount Hood Meadows when the vehicle Veenis was driving was struck head-on by a Jeep attempting to pass on a blind curve. Shipman and five other Rowmark athletes were passengers on the vehicle. The two were airlifted to separate hospitals – Veenis to Oregon Health and Science Center and Shipman to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

The remaining athletes were all treated at released from a local hospital for relatively minor injuries.

The athletes said coach Veenis manipulated the vehicle to take the impact of the crash on the drivers position. Shipman was seated behind the driver.

According to reports posted by Veenis’ parents Jay and Cindy his injuries are extensive: Pulmonary contusions, six broken ribs on right front, three broken ribs on left front, Pulmonary edema on right lung, Peritoneal Hemorrhage, Mesenteric bleed Left parietal subarachnoid hemorrhage, central parietal subarachnoid hemorrhage, Compartment Syndrome, Compound fracture left femur w/external fixation, Broken left hip, Broken left Tibia&Fibula,  Left foot fractures, Right foot fractures.

The condition of his lungs have been described as “absolutely terrible,” and he had not been able to maintain an oxygen level sufficient enough for doctors to consider additional surgery. There is concern blood clots from the damaged legs could cause problems.

Early Friday morning it was reported his blood count had begun to stabilize and additional transfusions were not ordered. He was taking oxygen nasally, but, his mother wrote, he was regularly taking it out of his nose “and either wearing it in his hair like a headband or around his neck.”

Surgery on the worst of the leg injuries is now scheduled for April 19.

Shipman has been relocated from the ICU unit to long term care. He underwent leg and neck surgery with four vertebrae being fused and a plate attached. He has little movement of his own and his family transfers him to a cardiac chair each day for an hour or so to sit up. In a message he sent Thursday, April 14 he said, “I don’t know why this happened to me, but I do know that everything happens for a reason and what doesn’t kill me will make me stronger. This isn’t going to kill me.”

He continued, “ I can’t wait to be back with my friends. Seeing people and hearing from people makes all the difference. Please keep sending your positive energy.”

Caringbridge web sites have been created for both Veenis and Shipman. To register and send additional positive energy or to keep track of their progress go to www.caringbridge.org and sign into scottyveenis and/or hankshipman (no spaces).

Because of the many families and individuals who want to help
Scottie and Hank, Rowmark Ski Academy has created a Donation Account to
help defray the expenses for their families to be with them in
Portland. To donate, go to any Wells Fargo Bank and ask to deposit into
the  Veenis/Shipman Donation Account.  The donations collected will be divided between the two families.