6 minute read
NEVER GIVE UP: COLTON LAWSON
Words & Photos: Jamey Perdue
Off Road racing is a brutal sport. Riders spend an extraordinary amount of time preparing their bodies and minds for the race. But what really makes a good rider? Some may say that having the best equipment, training the most, or maybe just having God-given natural talent is how to find yourself on the top step. While all these things play a role in a rider’s development and performance, the mental side of racing is where a good rider can become great. Often- times, tough life lessons can teach a rider the tough, never give up attitude that is essential to finishing much less winning one of these races. Colton Lawson is one such story. Even at 7 years old this Peewee B rider has overcome more than your average person. He has gone on to show everyone that despite the suffering, he truly does have that never give up mentality.
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It was June 14th at the Lawson family’s 30 acres; the chores were in full swing. Chris (Dad) was busy mowing the pastures. Two year old Colton enjoyed riding with his dad on the tractor, but sometimes would get off and go play. April (Mom) and Taylor (sister) had been out to the store. Everyone was excited and looking forward to the Father’s Day celebration that weekend. As usual, the rest of the family was coming over to celebrate at their place.
Shortly after mom and daughter had returned from the store, Colton decided he wanted to get off the tractor and go say hi to them. As Colton descended from the tractor there was a malfunction, causing Chris to pop the clutch on the tractor. When this happened, Colton was drawn under the wheel and pushed into the spinning bush hog. Reacting to this, dad quickly put the tractor in reverse. Leaping from the tractor he got down to check on Colton. There he found one leg, badly mangled while the other leg had been completely severed.
Chris’s cries for help were heard by his neighbors. They had only lived there about a year, and really didn’t know the people next door. But that didn’t matter, they came running. Assessing the situation, they immediately moved Colton from the field to the back of the neighbor’s truck. Living in a rural community is great when life is good. When there is a crisis such as this, living 45 minutes from the closest hospital is not ideal. Knowing that Colton needed medical help as quickly as possible they began to drive towards town. Taylor held his head and tried to keep him awake. Chris was desperately trying to stop the bleeding. On the phone with 911 he requested a helicopter right away. They met up with paramedics about 15 minutes from the house. The medics quickly assessed him and coordinated with the helicopter to get Colton picked up.
Still grappling with what had just happened they ended up at All Chil- dren’s Hospital. Doctors there assessed the injuries and quickly determined that Colton needed Tampa General and the level 1 trauma center. The amount of blood lost was of great concern to the doctors at the first hospital. So with the helicopter spinning on the pad, they gave him a blood transfusion to ensure he would survive the trip.
The flight team that assisted Colton in his accident were able to meet up with Colton five years later, this time to cheer on the young racer.
Following the transfusion, he was transferred back to the helicopter.
Once at Tampa General the focus shifted to stabilizing Colton and determining whether to try and save the one leg that was badly mangled. The family consulted several different sources but, in the end, decided that Colton would be a double amputee. The following weeks entailed
Colton waits on the line for his race with his parents, Chris and April.
11 different surgeries. Dad Chris recalls being in surgery every two days. Yet despite the injuries sustained by the tractor and the surgeries that followed, there were almost no complications. Colton continued to have one positive outcome after another. After two weeks at Tampa General he was released to go home.
For an average family this story would pretty much be summed up at this point. There would be a nice picture of a boy with prosthetic legs standing there smiling with his family behind him. But as you can guess Colton is not your average child nor would we consider his family average either. Living in a rural community, the Lawson family have always been around quads and dirt bikes. But with a smile on their faces, they admitted to having a certain uncle Bill as a nearby neighbor. Other FTR families also live nearby. After being routinely harassed to come check out the sport that these families enjoyed so much, Chris finally gave in.
For the benefit race last season Colton and Chris came out and experienced FTR racing for the first time. While they were merely spectators for the day, the event left quite an impression on them. After the event Colton and Dad got together to discuss their time at the races, and if they wanted to possibly pursue racing. Chris was all in. With Colton giving a smile and a yes, the summer quickly became dedicated to finding a quad and getting Colton some time on it before the season started. A quad was chosen rather than a bike due to his injuries in the accident. The balance and foot controls of a bike proved difficult for him with prosthetics. One of the main reasons was not being able to feel his lower legs.
Colton got his quad and had a couple months to test it and get used to the controls and operat- ing everything with his prosthetics. Dad recalls within a short period of time at the farm, Colton was wide open and sideways most of the time.
As the beginning of the series approached, both Chris and Colton felt confident that the upcoming season would be a success. With the schedule change due to the hurricane, the second race was for them. Chris said, “when I rolled up over the hills and saw all those RV’s I really thought to myself do we belong here?” After a solid practice they felt they were ready for the race. The “ten second” goes off and the race is on. Quickly Colton finds himself all wadded up in the first turn with several other bikes. Not too far into the race, another crash! Well, the day didn’t start out good, but he ended with a third-place finish. After getting one race under his belt, both Colton and his dad were certain that they could improve on their performance. Well, they were right, the second race as a Peewee B rider Colton wins.
At the final race of the season, Colton has already locked up a championship. But Punta
Gorda would prove to be about more than just racing. As the family got ready for racing, the morning air was broken by the unmistakable thump of an inbound helicopter. Racing families know generally this is not a good sign. On this day though it was more of a celebration than an emergency. As eyes look to the sky, they see a blue and green Aeromed Flight headed to land. Both the pilot and flight nurse from Colton’s accident five years earlier had come to watch him race. With smiles, hugs and a Fox News crew, they headed off to watch Colton’s final race of the season. He jumped out to a good start and had a solid lap or two.
Unfortunately, due to some carb issues he ended up with a DNF; however, still winning a Quad Peewee B championship. One of Donny Richardson’s Helicopters had flown Colton for his accident and Donny wanted to make sure that they got to see the success they had been a part of.
So, how do you mentally prepare for a race? Colton and his family are a stark reminder that people who suffer the most often have the most “determination”. When you take that, and you put it with the motivation of not letting anything stand in the way of your dream, you have Colton Lawson. However, this kid is little more than a product of the family, and the community that stands behind him. FTR has many amazing families that are part of it. I would like to welcome the Lawson’s as one of those families!!!!!
FOX 4 was on scene at the Watermelon Bash to capture Colton’s story (top)
Unfortunately some carb trouble led to a DNF for Colton at the last race of the season. However he woudl still bring home the Quad Peewee B Championship (bottom)