Trauma Survivors Network Peer Visitors
Traumatic Brain Injury-Mother Perspective
Pam Bryan: On Halloween of 1995, Pam’s son John was 13 years old
when he was involved in a motor vehicle crash while in a carpool coming
home from school. Two off duty LifeFlight nurses came across the scene
and performed life saving procedure on John. Minutes later, Police
officer’s greeted Pam at her door with the devastating news. John was
sent via LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Trauma and received rehabilitative
treatment at Stallworth. John suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal
cord injury and abdominal injuries. Pam serves as the Executive
Director of the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee and she participates
in the monthly TBI Clinic at Pi Beta Phi. John is involved in the Special
Olympics, Metro Parks Disability program and loves to play computer
games.
Rita Hardeman: August 14, 2005, Rita’s son Jarrod was involved in a
motor vehicle crash and thrown out of the back of a pickup truck. His
friend sitting in the back with him, did not survive. Rita received a call
from her son’s friend that Jarrod was in an accident and sent via
LifeFlight to Vanderbilt. Jarrod spent three weeks in the trauma unit and
another 10 days inpatient at Stallworth. He suffered a right frontal lobe
injury, numerous fractures to the bones in his face, a broken arm,
fractured pelvis, surgery on the crushed bones in his right hand and
nerve damage in his right eye. Jarrod has made a successful recovery and
is doing well and loves the outdoors and enjoys playing pool.
Paula Denslow: October 2, 1996, Paula’s son Troy was 14 when he was
assaulted by a fellow student. He had been hit in the head several times,
knocked unconscious and displayed seizure activity. Troy was taken via
ambulance to Vanderbilt Trauma and suffered severe headaches and
contusions. Although Troy’s injury rendered him to be home schooled, he
graduated with his high school class and went to college.
~ In early August of 2002, Paula’s second son, Andy was 17 when he was
involved in a motor vehicle crash. It was a rainy day and his car
hydroplaned. Andy suffered significant short term memory loss from
hitting his head. After years of rehabilitation, Andy is leading a
productive life.
Shawn Coltharp: On Labor Day weekend of 2007, Shawn’s daughter
Hillary was 26 years old when she was involved in a motor vehicle crash
while in route to meeting her family for dinner in Paducah, KY. Hillary
was texting while driving and wasn’t wearing her seatbelt. Her car
crossed the interstate median, flipped and ejected her 75ft from her car.
Hillary was taken via ambulance to a local hospital and then transported
via LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Trauma. Hillary suffered a traumatic brain
injury and spent 6 weeks at Vanderbilt Trauma and 6 weeks at a
rehabilitation hospital. Shawn is a Corporate Director at the American
Cancer Society and a Peer with the TSN. Hillary is doing well with her
therapies, is going back to hairdressing and appreciates being able to
watch her little boy grow up.
Archived News:
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/houseorgan/archive/HO1008/SWN1.htm
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=6507
Traumatic Brain Injury-Mother Perspective/Daughter Survivor
Natalie and Susie Rodriguez: On January 18, 2004 Natalie was 15 years
old when she and her friends piled into a car late one evening for a spur of
the moment drive in their pajamas. The driver lost control on the dark
Rutledge Road (a half a mile from her house) and ran into a tree head on.
Natalie was seated behind the driver’s seat when she was thrown forward
and smashed against the windshield. Sustaining the most injuries, Natalie
was taken via LifeFlight to Vanderbilt. Natalie’s mother Susie, recalls Dr.
Morris as the treating physician who explained the life threatening injuries
of: traumatic brain injury with swelling, internal bleeding, crushed femur,
broken ribs, fractured chin and jaw. Natalie deteriorated and went into
cardiac arrest on day 5 in the Trauma ICU. Susie recalls “the talk” about
organ donation and withdrawing care but refused since Natalie’s CT
revealed blood flowing to the brain. Natalie remained in this state for 20
days and on day 26 Natalie opened one eye. A week later she went to
Shepherd. Natalie has made a full recovery and works part time, enjoys
writing and being with friends and family.
Traumatic Brain Injury-Spouse Perspective
Denise Garland: On Memorial weekend of 2006, Denise and her husband
Bob were on a long distance bicycle ride. Bob crashed on his bicycle
leaving him unconscious and was Lifeflighted to Vanderbilt Trauma. Bob
suffered 3 hematomas resulting in a traumatic brain injury. He spent 5 d
ays in the Trauma Unit and 28 days at Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital.
Denise is a Peer Mentor with the Brain Injury Association of Tennessee as
well as the TSN. Bob is doing well and is still involved with performance
bikes and works at a bike shop. Denise mentors Survivors once a month at
the TBI Clinic at Pi Beta Phi.
Traumatic Brain Injury-Survivor Perspective
Ray De Vries: On a rainy September 20, 2008 morning, Ray was involved i
n a motor vehicle crash. His car hydroplaned around a curve into a teleph
one pole with the impact on the driver’s side of the car. Ray suffered a tr
aumatic brain injury, his heart was displaced out of the pericardial sac an
d shifted to the right side of his chest He suffered a multitude of
fractures, broken bones and severe damage to his right eye. Ray was in
the Vanderbilt Trauma unit ICU for two weeks and in a coma for five
weeks. Ray received further treatment at Select Specialty Hospital,
Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital and Pi Beta Phi. Ray is an ordained
Minister and still preaches at a small congregation in Brentwood. Ray also
mentors Survivors once a month at the TBI Clinic at Pi Beta Phi.
Zach Phillips: On March 19, 2006, in the early morning hours, Zach was
hit by a car in Washington DC while crossing M street with a friend. He
suffered a traumatic brain injury and was taken to George Washington
Hospital and stayed in the ICU for three weeks. Zach was then flown to
The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA where he would awaken after 5
weeks in a coma. Zach also received treatment at Pi Beta Phi. Zach is
a substitute teacher, is sports oriented and enjoys running in marathons.
Traumatic Amputation-Survivor Perspective
Gretyl Baird: On September 1, 2004, Gretyl was playing in her college
soccer game for Western Baptist College when she suffered a severe injury
to her left knee. The goalie fell on her knee breaking the bone, partially
severing the main artery. Initially, doctors at Oregon Health Sciences
University succeeded saving her life and her leg. After 9 months of
strenuous and unsuccessful physical therapy, Gretyl’s final surgery led to
an infection. Gretyl was given the choice to lose her leg or lose her life.
Gretyl says her decision was easily made; she had a loving family that
supported her during her trauma. Gretyl enjoys mentoring and wants to
give back as a Peer with the TSN.
Wayne Fielder: April 20th, 2008, Wayne and his wife Donna were
riding their 2005 Harley Davidson “Fatboy” south on Hwy 231 in Lebanon
when a car cut in front of them. They hit the bumper and sidewheel of
the other vehicle and both were thrown several feet upon
impact. While both Wayne and his wife were seriously injured, Wayne
was losing consciousness and sustained a severe degloving to his left
foot. Wayne was Lifeflighted to Vanderbilt. He suffered extensive nerve
damage and had below the knee amputation. Wayne is doing well and
still enjoys riding motorcycles.
Jason Koger: On March 1, 2008, Jason was riding his ATV with his friends
on the backseat at his family farm in Owensboro, KY. Jason ran into a
sagging power line. 7200 volts went through his body and not his friends s
haring the backseat. Completely alert, Jason was Lifeflighted two hours a
way Vanderbilt Trauma burn unit. They had to amputate both of his arms
due to the toxins it was releasing in his body. Jason was in the Burn unit f
or 12 days and then went home. Jason is doing well and is involved in sho
oting his guns and, hunting with bow and arrow. Jason and Jenny and
their two little girls will welcome a baby boy into their family this
summer.
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury-Survivor Perspective
Elizabeth Alley: On June 20, 2001, Elizabeth was injured in a motor
vehicle crash; her friend was driving under the influence. She and her
friend were driving back from the honkey-tonk clubs downtown. Elizabeth
suffered a broken neck at C3 and C4 of her spinal cord. She was taken via
ambulance to Vanderbilt Trauma and spent a week in the ICU, 5 days in
Stepdown and rehabilitated at Shepherd for 2 months with outpatient
rehab at Stallworth. Elizabeth was also crowned Miss Wheelchair TN in
2004, enjoys public speaking on issues of drunk driving and is a model for
Permobile.
Jim Harris: On June 16, 2005, Jim was seriously injured in a plane crash
while piloting a plane with a flight instructor in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Jim’s plane was met with turbulence as he approached the airport landing
Jim’s plane hit wind shear and lost flight control at 200 feet above
ground. Jim was pinned in the wreckage and suffered a spinal cord injury
of a T-12 burst. Jim was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital and had later
surgeries at Vanderbilt Hospital. He received rehabilitation at TRC and
Stallworth. Jim still enjoys flying and flew a Cessna 172 one year after his
injury.
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury-Spouse and Survivor Perspective
JP and Kelly Barmer: On June 08, 2006, Kelly’s husband, John Philip,
was involved in a near fatal motorcycle crash. JP was requested by
colleagues to perform “tricks” on his motorcycle. Not one to back down
from a dare, JP popped a wheelie and rode on his back tire uphill. Twice
he was successful, 3rd wheelie he was not; JP lost control. He and the
bike went air born towards the side of a building. He attempted to jump
off the bike in hopes that only the bike would crash into the bricks and
mortar instead, he and his bike crashed into the side of the building
leaving him lying lifeless in the parking lot. Paramedics rushed him to
Vanderbilt. After sustaining a T-4 complete spinal cord injury, traumatic
brain injury, broken collar bone, broken scapula, broken ribs and
collapsed lungs, JP spent one month at the Vanderbilt Trauma ICU and
two months at Shepherd Center for inpatient rehabilitation. Once he
returned home, JP participated in outpatient therapy for nearly a year at
both Vanderbilt Stallworth and Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. Two
years after his accident, JP regained his independence and was back in
college to finish his degree and named President of the Student with
Disabilities Assoc. at MTSU. JP has a very active lifestyle consisting of
water and snow skiing, playing golf, softball, basketball, sled hockey,
shooting sporting clays, and lifting weights. In May 2010, John Paul and
Kelly tied the knot.
Traumatic Multiple Fracture-Survivor Perspective
Renee Sanders: On November 17, 2002 Renee offered to drive her four
college friends to meet other college friends downtown. Driving out of the
parking lot was the last thing she remembers. A police officer in pursuit of
another vehicle ran a red light and hit her car driving 70 MPH. Her
roommate, the front seat passenger, was killed on impact. Renee and the
other girls were injured and taken to Erlanger Hospital. Renee suffered
bruises, a pelvis fractured in several places and grief from the death of
her beloved friend. Following her stay in the hospital, she returned home
to Franklin, TN undergoing extensive physical therapy to learn how to
walk again. Her new life of wheel chairs, walkers and shower chairs was a
far reach from the independent college freshman life she left at UT
Chattanooga. Determined, she returned back to UTC that January. Renee
received much attention from the collision, including a letter of
encouragement from First Lady Laura Bush. Renee is now married, has an
MBA, a career in the IT industry, enjoys travelling, walking her dog,
cooking, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.
Archived News of the crash
http://media.www.utcecho.com/media/storage/paper483/news/2002/11
/22/News/Student.Killed.Others.Injured.In.Accident.With.Chattanooga.Po
lice.Car-332164.shtml
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_29191.asp
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_31004.asp
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_48836.asp
Traumatic Multiple Fracture/Sole Survivor-Survivor Perspective
Brittany Leedham: On the night of November 29th, 2008, Brittany, a
Father Ryan Senior and her boyfriend Zak, left his house around 11:30 pm
to take her home. They pulled out of Zak’s subdivision and onto Holt
Road at 70 MPH. With less than mile away, Zak decided to pass the car in
front of him on a double yellow line. They pulled up, revved up, and
passed the car in front of them. The roads were slick and his tires were
bald and Zak lost control of the car. The car spun around, went off the
road, hit a ditch, flipped, went up 9 feet, and then wrapped around a
tree at over 70 mph. Brittany broke both tibia and fibula in both legs,
both femurs, her left leg was compound and de-gloved. Her right leg was
a crush injury. She broke her pelvic bone in 2 places, 3 of the 5 fingers in
her right hand, and her C2 vertebrate (Hangman’s Fracture) was
completely broken. Zak broke his left arm, his right shoulder was
dislocated, broke his right leg, ankle, a ruptured spleen and massive head
trauma. Zak passed away four hours later on the Trauma Unit. In total
Brittany spent 2 weeks in Vanderbilt Trauma, 4 weeks in Vanderbilt
Trauma Step-Down, 4 weeks at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and 4
weeks at Vanderbilt Stallworth. Brittany’s injury and recovery received
much attention from the local news media and a clip of that footage is
featured in the TSN’s Journey to Recovery video. Brittany is currently a
student at MTSU majoring in Recreational Therapy/Outdoor Recreation
with a minor in Nutrition. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega and is
active in the Catholic Center on campus and loves doing anything that
involves the outdoors.
Archived news of the crash
http://www.wsmv.com/news/18855260/detail.html
http://www.wsmv.com/news/18178049/detail.html
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/10233459/emotional-reunion-withpeople-who-saved-teens-life?redirected=true