Around 5:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, we got the phone call that no parent ever wants to receive. We were informed that there had been an accident. Our 23 year old son, Robbie and 18 year old Deidre were on their way to work at 4:30 a.m. in Robbies Trans Am that he had worked so hard for. A car pulled behind them and was tailgating. Robbie tapped the brakes and it apparently angered the driver. The driver behind him rammed the car, then sped off. Robbie, being the typical red blooded American male was not going to let this guy get by with just ramming his car and leaving. He followed the car, trying to get a tag number to turn over to the police.

 

     Apparently the driver knew the road ended and made a quick right. Robbie was unable to divert and went through a fence and was airborne.  The guy they were chasing knew they had wrecked but did not stop to check for injuries. At the scene, Deidre was bleeding profusely from the ears and had to be revived twice before being air lifted to ORHS.

 

     The police would not let us near the horrific scene, where we later learned there were pieces of the car on a neighboring roof.   Upon arrival at the hospital we were not allowed to see either of our children as they hospital worked diligently to save their lives. The hours ticked by in the Emergency Room, when finally a chaplain came to get us, urging us to hurry. She may not make it through the day.  Our hearts in our throats we rushed to be by Deidres side as the chaplain told us that Robbie had a broken leg and fractured pelvis, along with a lacerated heel. He would need a titanium rod to replace the bone in his leg. When we finally saw Deidre, she was unrecognizable, her head and face swollen to twice its size, multiple bones in the face were broken, jaw bones, cheek bones, etc. She was covered in blood and continuing to bleed from the ears. It was truly touch and go. We were only allowed a few moments with each child as they prepared for surgery.  Deidre also received a titanium rod for her fractured leg.
    

      Two children in two operating rooms, one may not make it through the day. How does a parent deal with this? We placed all of our faith and trust in God and  the doctors and nurses at ORHS. Robbie, a broken leg and shattered heal, Deidre broken from head to toe, broken vertebra in the neck, bleeding from the ears, broken jaws and facial bones, her pelvis broken in half, mended by steel, lung collapsed, unable to breathe on her own. They placed a trach. She was in ICU for a while and later moved to a regular bed. The doctors told us not to expect her to be able to walk for at least six to nine months.

 

      Today, less than three months after the accident she is recovering, walking without a walker for assistance. Robbie is still unable to walk due to the crushed heel but he is able to hobble on crutches.

 

     Let no one say theres no such thing as angels. An angel was riding in the car that fateful morning when we almost lost our children. And angels rode the coattails of the many nurses and doctors who took care of my children and not only saved their lives but have fixed them both so they can go on and live normal productive lives.

 

 We are so lucky that we have such a fine hospital, filled with caring, knowledgeable doctors and nurses. Thank you Orlando Regional for saving my children.

brendasue1954@yahoo.com
Brenda and Donnie Johnson can be contacted at address above.