Wednesday, August 20, 2008

We are saddened to report that ACE member Joe Rager passed away as the result injuries from a motorcycle accident this past Sunday, August 17. Joe is a native of southwestern Pennsylvania, but has lived in Florida for most of his adult life. Another connection that Joe had to Western Pennsylvania was his girlfriend, longtime ACE member Debbie Sykes. Debbie moved to Florida to be with Joe four years go. Debbie has been a member of ACE since 1988, and is very active in the organization. Her brother is Harry Sykes, ACE's regional rep director, and former regional rep for ACE Western Pennsylvania. Debbie is a member of ACE's disciplinary committee and frequently attends ACE events, including regional ACE Western Pennsylvania events, even since she has moved to Florida. In fact, she and Joe were on their way back from Erie where they attended the Mid-Summer Scream event at Waldameer Park, which was co-sponsored by ACE Western Pennsylvania and held the previous day, when they were involved in the accident.
Joe was driving the motorcycle and Debbie was a passenger when they collided with a car on PA State Route 18 just north of Sharon, Pennsylvania. Upon impact, Debbie was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered a broken femur in her right leg, a minor left shoulder fracture, and a minor right ankle fracture. Debbie's surgery went well and she has a 10-12 week recovery/therapy period ahead of her. Once out of the hospital, she is expected to spend her recovery period at her mother's house in Beaver Falls
Those that knew Joe describe him as an outgoing, wild and crazy spirit that could make anyone smile. He never held back, and he lived life to the fullest. He's the kind of guy who would have done anything for Debbie, or any of his friends for that matter. When the two of them were together, the combination of their cackles and shrieks of laughter that always seemed to come at exactly the same time they will be fondly remembered by those who spent time with them. Joe Rager will certainly be missed.
In addition to get-well wishes for Debbie, we extend our thoughts and prayers to Debbie as well as the families of Debbie and Joe, and wish them comfort and strength during this difficult time.

Thursday, August 21, 2008 .
After the accident, Debbie was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, where she had successful surgery, and was expected to be for at least a couple of days.
Once out of the hospital, she will most likely remain in the Western Pennsylvania area, at her mother's house during her physical therapy/recovery period.
As for Joe Rager, apparently, at the request of his family, there will not be a funeral. There is no information available regarding memorial contributions or whatnot.
Several of their ACE friends spend time with Debbie and Joe on Saturday, August 16 at the event at Waldameer Park. In addition, regional rep Bill Linkenheimer joined them for a beer at one of the resort area bars near the park, after the evening ERT was over. They were very happy together that evening. Joe joined ACE in 2004 when Debbie moved to Florida to be with him, and likewise Debbie got into motorcycles and got active in the bike club after moving to Florida. They fully adopted each other’s interests and friends. If you were a friend of Debbie's you were instantly a friend of Joe's. 
During their social time with Bill that night, the two of them talked mostly about the bike, that they were considering upgrading to a newer one, the bike club and all that it did for charity, the ride up to Erie on the bike, and how Debbie's mother wasn't approving of the bike. Joe even took walked him to the parking lot to see it, and started it up. It was also clear that they were aware of the danger of riding a bike. Joe told of how a motorcycle group in Florida just had a lot of its members involved in a bad accident caused by a driver who had a heart attack (or some other medical emergency) while at the wheel of his car. Many of the cyclists lost limbs and had major problems.  Joe really did live life to the fullest. While you don't necessarily have to partake in such risky things to enjoy life, there's no doubt that Joe didn't let the risk keep him from enjoying them.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Debbie is still in a lot of pain. Her brother Harry believes that she needs to begin her therapy very soon to get on the road to recovery. He's not sure that what has happened has totally hit her yet. She is coping the best that she can, given the circumstances.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
It has been reported that Debbie is improving. She started her physical therapy sessions on Friday, August 22. She currently has a 45-minute physical therapy and occupation therapy session each weekday morning and afternoon (3 hours/day total).
She is still in St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, Ohio, where she has been since the accident. The current address and telephone number are:

St. Elizabeth Health Center
1044 Belmont Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44501
Room # 5514A

Contact regional rep Bill Linkenheimer for the telephone number (you can email him through the website’s contact information)
Visiting hours are 4:00 - 8:00 PM weekdays and 12:00 Noon - 8:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
As of last Friday (8/29/08), they told her that she would most likely be there another two weeks.

Monday, September 15, 2008
We have learned that Debbie Sykes has been moved to her mother's home in Beaver Falls, where she is receiving physical therapy.
The address there is:

2873 Darlington Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010

Friday, September 19, 2008

Debbie wishes to thank all of her friends in ACE for their help, support, cards, notes, flowers, and kind words. She is especially appreciative of their thoughts and prayers, and asks that you keep them coming as she continues to work toward her recovery and eventually getting back to a normal life.

With the extent of her injuries, physical rehabilitation is coming along slow, and Debbie is patiently awaiting the doctor's permission for the physical therapist to take things to the next level allowing more weight on her legs.

If you're interested in giving her a call, please contact regional rep Bill Linkenheimer (see contact information page) to get Debbie's contact information.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

To all Members of ACE Western Pennsylvania (and beyond)...

I want to thank each and everyone of you for the beautiful flowers, cards, prayers, get-well wishes, and especially your support and sympathy in the passing of my beloved Joe. I'm still not sure it has all sunk in. The gravity of the whole situation is a lot to take--somehow I am coming along, injury-wise at least. The fact that I know my friends in ACE are with me helps more than you know. The road ahead is still not going to be easy. When I am able to return to Florida, to the home I shared with Joe, it is going to hit me like a ton of bricks. I also have some decisions to make for the future, but nothing is clear yet....It may never be totally clear. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for everything!!

Love to all,

Debbie