Hit and (Not Able to) Run

The Star dated 28 April 2005. Nation section. I was saddened and distressed when I heard about a fellow runner was hospitalized due to a hit and run accident last week. Her story was featured on the national newspaper and radio. Jenny Lim, a familiar face in the local senior veteran marathon races was knocked down by a car when she was doing her morning run on the Bukit Kiara highway, near the golf club. She was abandoned unconscious by the roadside by the irresponsible driver. She suffered a black eye, bruises, a broken shoulder, a gash on her left calf and a broken pelvis. Luckily she was saved by a passing Good Samaritan who took her to the hospital. I visited her at Orthopedic Ward, 9th floor, University Hospital last week. There were a few other visitors there when I arrived. That was my first time I meeting her in person even though I must have probably seen her hundreds of time at the road races. She came across as a positive a jovial person, even though she was bedridden. She told me that she could not recall how the car hit her. She woke up in the hospital bed. I saw a metal rod fixed through her left calf. The rod was pulled by a rope, which was attached to 8 kg weight. I was told this contraption was designed to pull the pelvic bone to the original position. Yikes! This was just one of the damages done by the hit and run a**hole driver. Jenny was not able to sit up or move. She had to lie on her back (not more than 45 degree) all the time due to the injured pelvis. According to doctor, Jenny had to be hospitalized for at least six weeks and rest for three months. At the moment, it is not known whether she could go back to her passion – running. There was a 4-5 inches skin abrasion wound on her left calf. It was drying up. I could see a purple ring around her tiny left eye. That was not your fancy eyeliner, mind you. I was told that the eye was so swollen that she was not able to open the eyes few days ago. She also had some swelling and bruises on her body but they were subsiding very fast. Jenny jokingly attributed the speedy disappearance of the blue-black marks and swellings to her good skin condition as a runner. Pacesetter Athletic Club Malaysia has set up fund to help Jenny as she does not have any medical coverage or insurance. For more information, please call Pacesetters president, Mr. Munning Jamaluddin at 019-2747433. I hope the person who hit Jenny will come forward to the police if he or she has a heart. Let’s pray that Jenny will have a speedy recovery and get back on her feet again. Please leave your messages and wishes to Jenny by clicking “Comment” below. I will print out your messages and send them to Jenny. Related articles: Jenny Lim The Star