by Frank Angst

In a letter to his supporters on facebook.com, injured jockey Rene Douglas updated his status and thanked well-wishers on Tuesday morning.

Douglas suffered injuries to his spinal cord that caused him to lose feeling in his legs as well as injuries to his neck and ribs on May 23 in a spill at Arlington Park.

The letter, in its entirety, follows:

“I want to thank you for all your support, your prayers and all your messages. I've been trying to read all of your posts and little by little I will catch up.

“I've been trying to start therapy but I've had a few issues with my lungs and that has prevented me from starting rehab in full. I'm getting stronger every day with the help of my family and friends and I will give my best once I go back to rehab.

“The road ahead of me will be long and hard but I'm ready to face it and to do the best I can to complete it and to achieve the best results possible.

“I would love to thank each one of you personally, but if I did that I wouldn't have enough time to do therapy. Just know that I appreciate it and that your support inspires me everyday to continue and to give my all.

With Love,
Rene Douglas”

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times