CALGARY, Alberta -- Dave Irwin, one of Canada's top skiers
in the 1970s and early '80s, has made such a remarkable recovery
from head injuries sustained in an accident last March that he
could return to the slopes next winter, according to his doctor and
family.
"I hope he doesn't return to really fast skiing or competitive
skiing," Dr. Christine McGovern said Tuesday. "But I'm sure by
next season he'll be able to ski."
The 46-year-old Irwin spent weeks in a coma and on life support
after falling during a training run. The high-speed accident caused
his brain to bleed in several areas, McGovern said.
"When you look at him you'd say that he looks fine, but when
you talk to him you realize he's a little scrambled," said Ken
Read, also a former member of the Canadian ski team. "He's
connecting the dots, getting the neuro-pathways going so that he
can understand who he is, where he is and what's important to
him."
Irwin, Read, Steve Podborski, Jim Hunter and Dave Murray were
teammates on Canada's national ski team during the 1970s and early
'80s. Among them, they recorded 14 World Cup victories.
During weekends, Irwin checks out of the Foothills Hospital in
Calgary to spend time at his Canmore home.
Irwin's doctor said he's had an excellent physical recovery, but
still has memory and concentration problems.
He's overcome gaps in long-term memory, but tends to forget
things such as therapy schedule times and details, McGovern said.
"He does get confused, however he is able to answer questions,
he's able to participate in therapy," she said.
McGovern doubts Irwin will ever fully recover.
"I think he'll always notice some problems with his thinking
skills down the road," she said. "It's still too early to tell if
he will be at a level of competitive work."
Irwin owns a ski marketing and promotional business, which has
been running smoothly without the boss, Read said.
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