Vladimir Yarets

[PeoriaMac]

Folks, Vladimir Yarets, the 62 year old deaf-mute world-traveling motorcyclist from Russia is in the hospital here in Peoria Illinois, after a bike-semi accident two weeks ago. Some of you on the adventures riders or LD riders boards may have heard this.
For a prety comprehensive rundown of his situation, see the
following..

http://www.pjstar.com/news/luciano/b15htqha033.html

an information site has been set up at:

http://www.caringbridge.org/il/vladimir/

[jgr451]

Tom thanks for posting such an interesting story.Hope the old guy makes out all right.

[1flyer]

He had been at the Falling Leaf Rally in Potosi, Missouri the previous weekend. Really an interesting guy and his bike was something you needed to see to believe, especially his saddle bags. A very functional solution using igloo coolers and duct tape. Don’t laugh, they worked! I wish him well.

[PeoriaMac]

Here's a picture of Vladimir from earlier this year....

[clang]

Hello,

I'm from the ADVRider forum, and wanted to make sure everyone here was aware of the PayPal account set up for Vladimir Yarets.
You can access the account by going to the Caring Bridge web site (http://www.caringbridge.org/il/vladimir/)and following the link there, or by going directly to Pay Pal (http://www.paypal.com)and following the directions for making a payment. The payment address is vladimiryaretsfund@togsoftware.com

If you have not done so already please log on and make a donation. Just $10 from all the regulars in the forum would mean more than $1000 for Vladimir.

You can follow the ADVRider thread and there are several links from the Caring Bridge site listed above. This is a chance for everyone in the commiunity to rally together and support one of their own in need. PLease take a minute and donate, every little bit helps!

Thank you!!

[PeoriaMac]

Clang, thanks for the mention of the Adv Rider sites...
Some new pics are coming -- taken this past weekend....as
Vladimir got out in a wheelchair.
He seems to be clearer about what happened to if -- if not exactly why. "Americans are good drivers", he wrote.
Here's an excellent site --of Vlad through the years.

http://www.a-due.pisem.net/yarets/index.html

Mac in Peoria

[R75_7]

I've never met Vlad but he inspires me. I admire the way he grabs life and squeezes all the greatness out of it! And most importantly I did not want his thread to fade away. Vlad I'm thinking of you and hope you are well at the begining of this holiday season.

Michael

[PeoriaMac]

A Vladimir update -- He was moved today to a nursing facility, where he will get therapy. He's still wearing a metal brace into his pelvis, and a cast on his left arm and braces on his ankles but is making good progress.
The Chicago Tribune had a front page article on Vladimir on Saturday, November 29th.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0311290193nov29,1,2244066.story

Mac in Peoria

[R75_7]

Mac,
Thanks for the update. When will he be able to continue his journey and where will he go next? Do they have computers in the nursing home? Does he need any help with anything?
Thanks,
Michael

[PeoriaMac]

Michael. I've tried to post an answer three times, and screwed up each occasion.
So..in brief. Valdimir won't be riding anywhere for many months. It'll be six weeks before the "fixator' is removed from his pelvis. He had to have some additional surgery this week on the fixator to get it the way it's supposed to be.

No computer..but then again, Valdimir would need a Cyrilic
keyboard...since Russian is his major language.

Good news is that after reading last Saturday's Chicago Tribune story, the Regional Manager for BMW called and said he'd like to help. Within a few hours, he'd located a BMW F650GS
for Vladimir to have. Free. It's barely used, and the only stipulation is --reasonably - that Vladimir want to use the bike, and not turn around and sell it to buy another Jawa or something else.
We're still looking into riding clothes and bags for the bike.
Anybody got a used set of jesse bags for a 650 lying around the house.....

Mac

[kbasa]

I just love motorcycle people.

And the support from BMW is just stupendous. This story needs to get repeated.

[PeoriaMac]

KBasa,
One of the things we've bandied about --assuming Vladimir
wants the 650GS -- is to see if we can transport him to the
Chicago M/C show, and have a presentation there. Invite the media/the Trib, etc....

This is all very much up in the air, and is just a thought at this point. TAG Cycle in Naperville is the dealer which came up with the bike.

Vladimir is not a tall guy, and we may need to look at ways to lower the F650GS somewhat for him. All things still to be decided...but as for now, the bike is his if he wants it.

Mac

[riderR1150GSAdv]

This is a heartwarming story to read. So many people caring about one of our fellow riders is great:bliss
I hope Vladimir gets well enough to ride again soon, so he can again be an ambassador for all riders!
To Vladimir all the best!!:)

[PeoriaMac]

Thanks to everyone who reads about Vladimir and is interested in following his travels and exploits.

On Friday, Vladimir had his "fixator" on his pelvis removed. It had apparently slipped in some way, and the initial plan was to reattached it, but Doctors decided to remove it altogether -- so apparently the bones are knitting well.
This will make it easier for him to get from the bed to a wheelchair, and he may be able to start therapy sooner.
That's not a given, so we shall see. It's expected he'll
return to St. Clair house on Monday or Tuesday.

Mac