Phillip Dutton: Lee Lee Jones Making ‘Incredible Progress’ in Recovery

Lee Lee Jones celebrating the 4th of July. Photo courtesy of Phillip Dutton Eventing.

Phillip Dutton shared an update today on his step-daughter Lee Lee Jones, who is making “incredible progress” in her recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a fall in December 2016.

“It is so inspiring and comforting to know that Lee Lee is still in everyone’s thoughts and prayers,” Phillip said.

Read on for the full update:

I first want to thank the many people who continue to ask about Lee Lee’s progress and are sending their best wishes and love. It is so inspiring and comforting to know that Lee Lee is still in everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Also, to the many people who have contributed to her medical support fund — a huge thank you! Her days are filled with caregivers, therapy and special treatments that are not covered by insurance, so this is a huge help in making this possible and helping tremendously in her recovery!

It has been a little over a year and a half since that terrible day of Lee Lee’s accident. She has made incredible progress since then, and with Lee Lee’s hard work and determination we will be doing everything within our power to keep up the progress. Lee Lee’s head injury has really opened our eyes to the massive variations in traumatic brain injuries. No TBI is the same and each individual’s brain repairs differently.

Lee Lee’s head injury is what is called a diffuse axonal injury, which means that her whole brain is affected from the brain moving inside the skull and tearing of neurons in the process. This means that the damage is widespread and not localized to one side or one area of her body. There is still a massive amount of work to do by Lee Lee and a lot of support needed from all of us.

As a family, we are now transitioning from the shock and sadness and the critical care phase to an understanding of what is needed for Lee Lee long term and trying to incorporate all of this into our daily lives. It takes a lot of organizing but we are starting to make it feel normal. Every day we are excited and rewarded by Lee Lee’s progress, although it is slow.

Great Meadow International in Virginia this weekend will be Lee Lee’s first overnight stay away from home or the hospital. We couldn’t ask to be staying with anyone better than our role model, Forrest Allen.

Again, thank you all. We really appreciate your support.

– Phillip & Team Lee Lee

You can support Lee Lee’s ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs by making a donation to her medical fund.

Lee Lee is working incredibly hard in therapy, and we are delighted that she will be at Great Meadow this weekend for the Nations Cup. If you see her, be sure to say hello!

Go Lee Lee. Go Eventing.