Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell

Chris Nunn · 12/16/08, 8:46 PM

MITCHELL — Arin McIntosh, bundled in a winter coat, stood in front of a small portable heater Monday afternoon as she rang the bell for the Salvation Army outside the Ben Franklin store.

Volunteering to ring the bell at Christmas time isn’t new to the 19-year-old Mitchell High School graduate. She and her father, Robert, have been doing it for the past 15 years.

This year, however, it took on a slightly new meaning for the college student and sprint car driver who is on the road to recovery, following an Oct. 13 crash in her race car at Lawrenceburg Speedway.

McIntosh, grateful for all the prayers, cards and people who have been pulling for her, said ringing the bell is just a small way to give back.

McIntosh’s mother and father, Robert and Alda, agreed that all the support during their daughter’s recovery has been amazing.

The family created a place on the Internet, www.carepages.com, where friends and family can log in to follow her progress and post well-wishes. According to the site, there have been 1,569 visitors who have posted 1,648 messages.

“That’s the great thing about living in a small town,” Robert said. “And the racing community is really just like a small town. Regardless of what happens at the track, when somebody is in need, the racing community is there.”

A community that has closely followed the young racer’s progress, which is to the point that she will be returning to IUPUI, where she is majoring in motorsports engineering, in January.

“And I never thought I would be excited to go back to school,” Arin said, while taking a break from her bell-ringing duty.

McIntosh suffered a head injury when her sprint car blew a tire and slammed into the wall.

Her latest prognosis from doctors, after a battery of neuro/psych and physical testing, is that she can get her education back on track, with no need for further therapy. She will continue to receive follow-up care, and she is hopeful to soon be taken off the anti-seizure medication.

“We have been blessed,” Robert said.

McIntosh, who spent nearly a month in a hospital and rehabilitation center, has been home now just more than a month.

Enjoying the time at home with her cats and parents, she’s ready to take another step toward normalcy.

Given the OK to drive a vehicle and return to school next semester, one questions remains: Is she going to strap back into the cockpit of a sprint car?

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” she said.

dirtnonwingfan · 12/16/08, 8:52 PM

This is a great Christmas present for all of us! Thanks, Chris.

Frank Daigh

Dirtfan · 12/16/08, 8:55 PM

Thats awesome, says alot about this young lady:thumb

Great Scott · 12/16/08, 9:23 PM

A lot of us could sure learn a lot from Arin. She is so amazing!

Jerry Shaw · 12/16/08, 9:45 PM

After reading the first several updates following her accident, like most people, I thought there was no way Arin would be where she is now. Imagine how she's gonna get mobbed, the first time she's back on the hill at Bloomington.:applaud:

Jerry

#1Brad Kuhn Fan · 12/16/08, 9:46 PM

Glad to here that shes doing alot better...:thumb

6157 · 12/16/08, 10:01 PM

Good to see Arin ringing bells instead of getting her bell rung.

12/17/08, 11:15 AM

:applaud:Nobody could have ever imagined she would be where she is so quickly and to be out doing good things for others. Arin you're amazing!!!

illinisprintfan · 12/17/08, 11:58 AM

That's the best news I've heard in a long time. :thumb

12/16/08, 8:46 PM	#1 Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
Chris Nunn Senior Member Race Count This Year: 20 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,126	MITCHELL — Arin McIntosh, bundled in a winter coat, stood in front of a small portable heater Monday afternoon as she rang the bell for the Salvation Army outside the Ben Franklin store. Volunteering to ring the bell at Christmas time isn’t new to the 19-year-old Mitchell High School graduate. She and her father, Robert, have been doing it for the past 15 years. This year, however, it took on a slightly new meaning for the college student and sprint car driver who is on the road to recovery, following an Oct. 13 crash in her race car at Lawrenceburg Speedway. McIntosh, grateful for all the prayers, cards and people who have been pulling for her, said ringing the bell is just a small way to give back. McIntosh’s mother and father, Robert and Alda, agreed that all the support during their daughter’s recovery has been amazing. The family created a place on the Internet, www.carepages.com, where friends and family can log in to follow her progress and post well-wishes. According to the site, there have been 1,569 visitors who have posted 1,648 messages. “That’s the great thing about living in a small town,” Robert said. “And the racing community is really just like a small town. Regardless of what happens at the track, when somebody is in need, the racing community is there.” A community that has closely followed the young racer’s progress, which is to the point that she will be returning to IUPUI, where she is majoring in motorsports engineering, in January. “And I never thought I would be excited to go back to school,” Arin said, while taking a break from her bell-ringing duty. McIntosh suffered a head injury when her sprint car blew a tire and slammed into the wall. Her latest prognosis from doctors, after a battery of neuro/psych and physical testing, is that she can get her education back on track, with no need for further therapy. She will continue to receive follow-up care, and she is hopeful to soon be taken off the anti-seizure medication. “We have been blessed,” Robert said. McIntosh, who spent nearly a month in a hospital and rehabilitation center, has been home now just more than a month. Enjoying the time at home with her cats and parents, she’s ready to take another step toward normalcy. Given the OK to drive a vehicle and return to school next semester, one questions remains: Is she going to strap back into the cockpit of a sprint car? “We’ll just have to wait and see,” she said. __________________ Chris Nunn 812-360-6711 nunnc812@gmail.com

12/16/08, 8:55 PM	#3 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
Dirtfan Senior Member Race Count This Year: 50 Race Count Last Year: 54 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 8,804	Thats awesome, says alot about this young lady:thumb __________________ Dan Hetser "Today is a Gift, Tomorrow is not Promised"

12/16/08, 9:45 PM	#5 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
Jerry Shaw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,728	After reading the first several updates following her accident, like most people, I thought there was no way Arin would be where she is now. Imagine how she's gonna get mobbed, the first time she's back on the hill at Bloomington.:applaud: Jerry __________________ A man is about as big as the things that make him angry. Winston Churchill

12/16/08, 8:52 PM	#2 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
dirtnonwingfan Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,031	This is a great Christmas present for all of us! Thanks, Chris. Frank Daigh

12/16/08, 9:23 PM	#4 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
Great Scott Senior Member Race Count This Year: 48 Race Count Last Year: 63 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 740	A lot of us could sure learn a lot from Arin. She is so amazing!

12/16/08, 9:46 PM	#6 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
#1Brad Kuhn Fan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,012	Glad to here that shes doing alot better...:thumb

12/16/08, 10:01 PM	#7 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
6157 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 253	Good to see Arin ringing bells instead of getting her bell rung.

12/17/08, 11:15 AM	#8 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
jim turner Posts: n/a	:applaud:Nobody could have ever imagined she would be where she is so quickly and to be out doing good things for others. Arin you're amazing!!!

12/17/08, 11:58 AM	#9 Re: Hey, Look Whos Ringing Bells in Mitchell
illinisprintfan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 884	That's the best news I've heard in a long time. :thumb