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F2000: Bezerra Returns Home to Brazil, Continues Rehabilitation

11 August 1998

FAIRFIELD, N.J. -- For the first time since his January 24 accident, Brazilian Thiago Bezerra, 20, returned to his family's home in Rio de Janiero today, and continues his rehabilitation after sustaining a severe brain injury in the U.S. F2000 National Championship race at Walt Disney World Speedway.

Bezerra, injured in a lap-40 accident while battling for third place in his North American racing debut, spent 40 days in a coma at Orlando Regional Medical Center prior to moving to the Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center March 30. Since then, medical professionals have described his recovery as nothing short of amazing.

"Thiago has done incredibly well," said Anna Katerina Tischenko, Physical Therapist at the Neurology Rehabilitation Center. "He now walks with crutches -- with or without braces -- and doesn't use the wheel chair any more. He had his last MRI Wednesday and the doctor said the lesions on his brain are clearing. As far as I'm concerned, Thiago wins the award for beating the odds."

Bezerra will return to Miami in November for a follow-up visit, but will continue the remainder of his rehabilitation and physical therapy in Rio de Janiero.