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Chrissy: I had a phone call from Josh. He said he just had his MRI and the Dr. told him to go outside and call me. It was the most scary thing I had ever heard! Josh sounded so lost as he tried to tell me-the DR. told him he had a brain tumor. I wanted to climb through the phone and hold my boy. It is hard being so far away from your children especially at a time like this. I was in disbelief for a while, thinking, “not my son.” I still cannot believe it.

ARF (Athlete Recovery Fund) is a great organization that helps injured athletes in need. How did ARF help Josh and his family in this very difficult time?
Chrissy: I was lost on what to do where to go from here. ARF (Aaron Cooke) stepped in and helped us out. He booked us and paid for (Josh's dad Brian Perry and his wife Valdeene Perry) the next flight out of Boston to be with Josh. ARF also paid for our hotel stay. Aaron and Trish Bare-Grounds stayed in contact with us the whole time. Before the operation, during and after, they were there. They are there for you in any way needed.

In addition to Josh’s parents, his grandparents Bob and Linda Dunlop came from South Carolina to be with him during the surgery. Josh’s 17 year old brother Danny had to stay behind in Massachusetts but was happy to receive a call from his big brother right before Josh went into surgery. Even better, the call got him pulled out of class for a few minutes!

The thought of undergoing brain surgery must have had a profound impact on you. Has your perspective on life changed at all during the last couple of weeks?
Josh: Yeah it sucks it took this to make me realize how fragile life is and how wonderful it is but it has helped. I have a whole new outlook on life in general. I want to take full advantage of it and enjoy it to the fullest. Trish will be working with me on my diet, health, exercise, and outlook on bike riding. I am determined and motivated to get back to where I was. I plan on taking things a bit more seriously along with having as much fun as possible. My friends play a big role in my life helping keeping me strong and happy. I love them and couldn't have done it without the support from them and everyone else!

What was the first thing that went through your mind as soon as you came out of the surgery and learned your tumor was benign?
Josh: I was in tears of joy to see my family and friends and able to speak and move. Was amazing that I just had surgery for 6 hours of my head and was alert and out of pain.

Tell me a little about the support you have gotten from friends and fans? What were some of the most memorable good wishes you have received?
Josh: I don't know where to begin! Everyone is amazing. I can't believe how many people are behind me and supported me and care. It's such a wild feeling and I can’t thank anyone enough. It's overwhelming in a good way. Thanks so much!

What kinds of rehab are you doing right now? Do you have specific exercises to get you on your bike faster? What exactly does that entail?
Josh: I can't do much for 2 weeks but rest and small stretches and eating healthy. Trish has me on a good line up that my mom and girlfriend will be helping me out with. In 2 weeks the roadbike stationary exercise begins and I can't wait.

Josh’s friends are an important part of his life. Drew Bezanson, Kelly Bolton and Brandon Christie are very important to Josh. How did this news affect them?
Josh: I'm not really sure other then they were real worried and supportive and with me every step of the way. I love 'em like brothers. They are so awesome!

Here is what Josh’s friends had to say about the experience:

You all know BMX can be a dangerous sport. Injuries are common and while unfortunate, not all that unexpected. Hearing your best friend has a large brain tumor isn’t something you normally expect to hear though. Tell me a little about the experience? How did you hear about it and what was your first reaction?

Brandon: The experience has been like no other for sure. When Josh had been mentioning he had headaches no one would've ever thought much about the situation. I'd say sometime around the "Animal House" contest in December is when it seemed that his headaches started occurring more often. From Dec. on me being Josh's roommate I definitely noticed the ups and downs he was having between having fun on his bike one second, and the next being miserable and easily agitated from what seemed to be a migraine.

The past month or so Josh started making appointments to get checked on. I suggested sometimes eye problems cause headaches. Which was the first time I found out he had been having blurry vision a lot (The way he was riding did not seem like there was anything major going on lol). I watched him try different prescriptions to help, but nothing seemed to make a big impact. The doctors suggested he get an MRI just to check it out. I'll never forget the text he sent me on the way to get it, Josh wrote "Man I hope it’s not something bad like a brain tumor."

Considering I never thought twice about it being serious I couldn't understand why even joke like that. I soon got a text about two hours later of him telling me the news. I was at work in pure shock. I didn't know what to do because there is no way I would be able to take it like Josh did. I left work early to drive around with him, and we both lost it. Obviously in that situation our instinct was that something that serious could prevent him from riding ever again. Fortunately that call seems like it was yesterday, and Josh is already home doing amazing with recovery. The kid’s a champ. He should be back on his bike and running around June-July, and I couldn't be more thankful that it wasn't worse.

I remember almost being over riding until I met Josh a few years back. He just never gives up. Thanks to him I'm in Greenville, doing what I love to do as well. Thanks everyone for praying for him and giving him your support cause it paid off. Love you buddy!

Drew: I first heard about it from a friend and I was in disbelief. I didn’t want to believe a brain tumor could happen, especially to a close friend. Being on the road at the time made it that much harder because I couldn’t go see him or be there to support him. I knew in the back of my mind he was going to be okay though. All of BMX was keeping him in their prayers and thoughts and were totally behind him. Now that he is on the road to recovery he is an inspiration to BMX and I can’t wait to watch the Josh Perry show once he gets back on his bike.

Kelly: It was strange the way everything happened. Seems like all the pieces fell into place with the few weeks before the diagnosis. We were riding at the unit and Josh had just learned flair whips in the foam and decided to go for it. He over rotated and hit his head. Most of all of his arm was hurt and we didn't think anything of his head. Then the double vision, uncontrollable headaches were really messing with him. Once he got properly checked out he texted me the news... I can’t describe what I felt like. My heart sunk and I just knew I needed to be there for my friend as much as I could. So leading up to the surgery I tried to be supportive and make Josh positive and looking forward. He is so strong, at times I could see him quietly sitting there and it wasn't his normal quietness. He was for sure scared but we all stayed positive. When he got out he was texting and laughing on the phone with me and I literally teared up in happiness. Josh, I love you buddy. I always try to stay mentally strong but this experience makes me so proud to have such a rad friend who can overcome something like this with flying colors. Josh, you are a true man to look up to.

Trish Bare Grounds works with many BMX athletes. I know Trish is working with you to help you get on your bike as soon as possible, What kinds of exercises are you doing and when do you expect to be on your bike again:
Josh: Can't ride until the skull heals which takes 6 weeks but will be on the roadbike and at the gym and all that until I can. I’m determined to get back in shape and in full effect so when I can ride my Bmx it's amazing! I have a new focus and outlook on life and just don't wanna waste time and energy doing nothing! I wanna take full advantage of being healthy and exercising so I can be on my bike riding!

Trish: Well, today we tested Josh's overall strength, flexibility & muscle function before we could set his therapy and goals. He will go through progressive stages to regain his ability to return to riding his bike, each stage a building block to his eventual recovery and return. Josh got to learn where his body was in comparison to before surgery. We also set up his nutritional and supplementation changes specifically designed to add in his healing process and to help him recover from the use of the medications required by this type of surgery. His first week is going to involve a lot of flexibility work as he has a bit to regain, core training, and balance/proprioception training. Josh has to be conscious of where his head is and not taking any chances of hitting it until the bones have healed, which will take a minimum of 6 weeks, but he will do a lot of therapy and training until that point. We also needed to flush his muscles of the toxins and waste products his body kicked off prior to and during the surgery. I think it is safe to say this was Josh's least favorite part of today! But he was able to feel a bit more normal once the deep tissue work was completed. We began to discuss and plan for him getting on a stationary bike in the very near future that he is so stoked about, but have to wait to do any cardio after his 60 staples have been removed from his head. Josh has a lot of work ahead of him in the coming weeks but he is already ahead of schedule .... he is going to make an amazing recovery and return to riding without a doubt.

What things do you have planned this summer and what can we expect from you next?
Josh: I just wanna be healthy, have fun on my bike, travel, hang out with everyone, enjoy life, film with Drew B for our split edit, see new places and just ride 100 percent again.

Many athletes I have spoken to have mentioned that sustaining and recovering from an injury actually helps them progress in their riding. They appreciate more fully all that they love about BMX and are more focused about getting better. There’s no doubt Josh Perry is one of these individuals and it won’t be long before we see him back on his bike and better than ever.

-Susan Linerode