Ashley Taws medical update 2003-01-27

Barbie driver Taws due to begin rehab this week.

Toronto, Ontario (January 27, 2003): Canadian race driver Ashley Taws anticipates she'll be transferred to a rehabilitation centre this week after spending more than eight weeks recuperating from a road accident. The nineteen-year-old Canadian Formula Ford racer suffered serious injuries when she was a passenger in a car involved in a collision, December 7. Her injuries resulted from being in the centre-rear seat where only a lap belt was available.

Following a series of surgeries, Taws was physically and mentally drained, but has steadily healed and gained back some of her health. She is very much looking forward to beginning a rehabilitation program which is hoped will rebuild her strength and return her to normal functioning.

Despite the long hospital stay, the energetic and personable teenager has managed to keep her spirits up and looks forward to getting back on her feet. She is determined to rebuild her fitness and hopes to race before the end of the 2003 race season. It's a huge challenge, but her ambition and an incredible show of support from the public have set the tone.

"I want to race as soon as I can," said Taws, "But I've got a lot of work to do before I can get back in a race car. I will give it my best effort."

Taws, who gained incredible popularity driving the "Be Anything With Barbie at Wal-Mart" car and becoming the most successful female driver in the history of the Canadian Formula Ford Championship, has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the many individuals who have taken the time to send supportive cards, e-mails, letters, flowers and gifts. She said there were many occasions when a quick look at all the items around her hospital bed helped keep her in a positive frame of mind.

Anyone wishing to send a note of encouragement to Ashley may do so through her official website, www.ashleytaws.com.

-mj-