Gia Cicero

I am a competitive go karter, age 16, racing in my first year in the senior (age 16-34) category. I was racing in the Rotax National Championship outside Pittsburgh, PA on August 4, 2019 when I was struck in the ribs by another karter who lost control of his kart. I was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and diagnosed with badly bruised ribs. Despite rest, my ribs did not heal and I was not able to return to the track - and it looked like I would miss the New York State championships on November 3, 2019. I turned to Dr. Marci Goolsby, Andrew Meyers and HSS' Prosthetics and Orthotics team. They gave me medical treatment and advice, along with the brace I'm wearing in my picture here, and I was able to compete without pain in the New York State championships at Oakland Valley Race Park and came home with a 10th place, point-scoring finish in the field of 27 that included the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and a national level group of competitors. Thank you, HSS, for getting me back in the race!