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Atkinson shows gradual progress By MELISSA MARTIN Mail Tribune Medford photographer Andy Atkinson remained in a coma Wednesday, 11 days after his ski accident on Mount Ashland. The brother of state Sen. Jason Atkinson and son of Oregon Republican Party Chairman Perry Atkinson remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Rogue Valley Medical Center. "It's slow and steady progress," said Jason Atkinson, the Senate majority whip. "His body is starting to respond. He's fighting, and that's good." The swelling in his brain is decreasing, and Andy Atkinson has "purposeful responses," or meaningful movements such as repositioning an arm, said his father, Perry, a popular radio talk show host and general manager of KDOV Radio in Medford. "He will try to sit up or move himself around where it's more comfortable for him, but he has not made specific command responses," such as lifting a hand when a physician asks him to, Perry Atkinson said. Andy Atkinson and a friend were skiing the steep, narrow chutes of "the bowl" at Mount Ashland's summit March 16 when Andy's skis struck ice, he lost control and hit a rock. Physicians recently took him off medication that continued the coma in order to prevent his body from fighting the recovery process, his father said. Yet the 27-year-old remained unconscious. "Doctors told us it could potentially be two to three weeks before he comes out of a coma - it's up to Andy now," Perry Atkinson said. "This is devastating to us and so traumatic for the family, but doctors are pleased with the progress Andy's making. They tell us he's doing everything he's supposed to be doing." Doctors planned to insert a feeding tube in his stomach today and planned a tracheotomy soon to continue artificial respiration in a way that would be more comfortable. "They want to make things more comfortable for him so when he wakes up, he's not overwhelmed by the tubes in his mouth," Perry Atkinson said. His family has kept vigil in the critical care waiting room for nearly two weeks, including Andy's wife, Emily, their 7-month-old son, Rogue, his parents Perry and Peggy Atkinson, of Medford, and his brother and his wife, Jason and Stephanie, of Jacksonville. "The family is holding up," Jason Atkinson said. "We've had a tremendous amount of prayer and support from people, and that's making a difference." Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.