Man tries out for Red Bull ice cross after heart heals

Rod Gibson participates in the qualifiers in Richmond, B.C. for the Red Bull Crashed Ice competition following his amazing heart recovery. Oct. 20, 2012. (CTV)

A year after being put on a heart transplant list, a man is defying the odds and trying out to compete in an intense downhill ice cross race.

At nine years old Rod Gibson was diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis, an infection that hindered the functioning of his heart valves. Throughout his life the forty-two year old has undergone several surgeries to improve his condition, including having a pump placed on the side of his heart last year.

Unable to work or take care himself without the help of his parents and sister, Gibson stayed on the machine known as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver for about eight months. But now his life has completely changed as the pump has healed his heart.

“Now, I feel perfectly fine. I’m back playing hockey about three days a week… working out three days a week at the YMCA, and working fulltime,” he said.

The experience has profoundly affected his view of the world.

“It’s hard to explain. Seeing basically the dark side for a while really makes things scary and really makes you realize what life is all about,” Gibson added.

On Saturday, Gibson took advantage of his improved health by participating in the Red Bull Crashed Ice qualifiers in Richmond.

“I want to prove something to former LVAD patients and VAD patients right now that life after having a VAD and anything after that can be back to normal. And you can do whatever you want, and if you want to do it, do it, because life is too short,” he said.

Gibson added that one in ten people’s hearts recover after having an LVAD inserted.

The Red Bull Crashed Ice series begins in Niagara Falls in December and the season final will be held in Quebec City in March 2013.