My LRO Story - Aaron Baker

Age: 30

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

Sport: Bicycling 

I broke my neck in a motocross accident. Lying motionless on the race track, paralyzed from the neck down, conscious and barely able to breathe is a vivid memory for me.  I remember how time as I knew it froze and the vision of a long daunting road of recovery lay ahead.  This sobering moment brought forth the real me, the Aaron Baker inside, the one shrouded by ambition and ego as a young athlete. Laying there I was no longer a motocross racer, surfer, skater, snowboarder, mountain biker, wakeboarder, or even a simple fisherman, all that was left was me, barely.  I fought for my life in the hospital after having my lungs collapse from pneumonia and was then immediately transitioned into a rehabilitation program to optimize my body’s recovery. This injury has given me something greater than any motocross championship or surf trip could ever give. It’s given me LIFE and a perspective on life that is invaluable. After seven long hard years of rigorous physical therapy I have the opportunity to again walk this great planet, and share my experiences and knowledge with many people for whom I’m so grateful to have grace my presence.