Phillip Sherwood

I am sitting in my chair right now sipping on a Mountain Dew and wearing an Alabama t-shirt while I write this post. The signifigance of the t-shirt is that this is the first time I have been able to lift my arms high enough over my head to do so Dad and I just finished taking a stroll through the garden outside. He has a giant green thumb and was identifying all the different species of plants. Lunch was London Broil steak and it was delicious. I have been getting periodic updates from the benefit race being held today at Sand Mountain Motocross Park and it sounds like Dave Scilabro from LocoMotoMX and race promoter/track owner Billy Raines have done an awesome job putting this all together to help out Al Lewis and myself. I am hoping the N.E.A.T. series banquet is held in Jan 08 so I can attend and give thanks to my fellow racers in person.

I also want to recognize and extend a special thank you to my girlfriend Melissa who has been by my side since before the accident and for helping me get through the emotional difficulties in dealing with all this. Her strength and unconditional compassion has provided me that extra “umf” to make it to the next day. Her son DJ is and has been my hero since meeting him when I first arrived to Huntsville in 2005. Also her young daughter Lillie Grace was always willing to go accept my awards at the races and carry them back for me. I call her my trophy girl They have all been an absolute blessing and I am fortunate to have them in my life.

As for my staff of caregivers here at Shepard, they are wonderful. Kind of like drill sergeants who smile. My weekend nurse and tech (the car wash crew) are the best! Well that’s all for now because it’s movie time. Stay tuned for my post tonight.

Phillip (Felipe Gomez aka El Gato Volador)

P.S. I was given the name El Gato Volador which means Flying Cat while racing in Bolivia. It comes from a funny song by a group in Panama at the time. Felipe Gomez was my racing pseudoname in Colombia.