Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix volunteer recovering after hit-and-run driver left him injured
Mark Sheldon’s brother shares update on recovery at UPMC Mercy hospital
PITTSBURGH —
Mark Sheldon, a dedicated volunteer for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, is recovering at UPMC Mercy after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in July while working near 28th Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh.
For the first time, Sheldon’s family is talking about his recovery inside the hospital.
Sheldon suffered major head trauma and other injuries, requiring two surgeries. For the first month, he was unable to open his eyes.
His brother, Patrick, described the family’s shock upon hearing the news.
“I packed as fast as I could, and I got to the airport in about 90 minutes. And in New York, that’s not an easy thing to do. And the whole family was in shock when I got here,” Patrick Sheldon said.
Patrick shared how his voice and humor helped Mark during his recovery.
“The surgeon, Dr. Andrews, said, ‘Give me a thumbs up, Mark,’ because apparently that’s what my brother does. Mark was slow to reply, and I said, ‘Tell him his brother’s in the room, and he’ll give you a finger. It may not be the one you want, but he will give you a finger.’ And there was a smirk on Mark, and that’s how we knew he was in there,” Patrick said.
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Mark Sheldon has been recognized for his contributions to Pittsburgh, including being honored as volunteer of the year for the Vintage Grand Prix.
Pittsburghers have rallied to support him during his recovery.
“While I was here, there was a time when I couldn’t get into the hospital because there were only allowed two visitors at a time, and it was my birthday,” Patrick Sheldon said. “I went out to Kennywood, and when I was walking around, I met somebody. I knew people from years ago there. When they heard about my brother, I got off the Thunderbolt and they handed me this.”
Patrick Sheldon holds an item of Kennywood memorabilia that was given to him for his brother, Mark
Mark Sheldon is beginning to walk and talk, but the driver who hit him has not been found. Patrick emphasized that the family’s focus remains on Mark’s recovery.
“You have no idea how little my family cares about whether or not they arrest somebody. It’s entirely been about Mark,” Patrick Sheldon said. “I can understand why most people would say, ‘What’s happening now?,’ but we don’t care. Put your wishes into Mark.”
A GoFundMe page to help Mark Sheldon has been set up at this link. As of Friday evening, the campaign was a little over $4,000 shy of the $60,000 goal.
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