CHL Colorado Eagles

Borsheim Concludes Time at Craig, Returns Home to Windsor

Published on November 24, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - After spending the past three and a half months at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver, Les Borsheim returned to his home in Windsor on Wednesday. The former Eagles player, who was paralyzed in a June motorcycle accident, gained admittance to the world-renowned rehab hospital in early August after battling back from his near-death and total-paralysis state following the accident. In the months since that fateful day - his positive outlook and sense of humor still intact - Borsheim has made incredible improvements and his time at Craig has helped him learn how to continue living life to its fullest.

"I don't take anything for granted anymore," Borsheim said. "The small things that I used to be able to do are so difficult now, but I'm definitely making small strides and improvements every day." He continued, "But it's good to be home. Getting around. Finding my way around things again. That's the trick.

"And it's nice being back in Windsor. It feels like home. I've been living here for the past few years and everything's familiar and comfortable for me. All my old teammates are dropping in all the time, and it's just kind of 'back to reality' with friends, family and familiar things."

He will be living with his girlfriend Kara in his old apartment that has recently been refurbished and made wheelchair-accessible. "We had to change the bathroom - get a new wheel-in shower - we put wood floors in the bedroom and had to buy a hospital bed," she said. "We also had an electric door opener installed and a ramp put into the sidewalk. It's definitely been a process."

Borsheim will also be surrounded by a Northern Colorado community that reached out to help him like few others would. In the days immediately following the accident, the local community - along with well-wishers across the continent - showed their support by joining Team Borsheim at www.TeamBorsheim.com. The Web site was created just days after the accident by one of his former teammates in Oklahoma City, and fans were able to donate to Les' recovery fund in several ways and leave encouraging messages through the site.

In addition, the Eagles held a celebrity golf tournament in early September and used the funds raised through the event to help present Borsheim with a check for $100,000 during a preseason benefit game held in his honor on October 8. "I just want to thank all the fans for their support, and let them know how much it means to me," he said. "It's all been unbelievable."

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