Sorry folks, no birds today. Today’s post is personal.
- Some of this post will be old news to long time followers of Feathered Photography but I can’t let such a momentous occasion go by unheralded.
Five years ago today my daughter Shannon fell in her kitchen in Florida and was severely injured when her head hit the marble floor and perhaps the marble countertop on her way down. Her fall, unexplained to this day, resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a broken cervical vertebra. Because of a major brain bleed ER doctors told her husband Rick and their son Ryan that Shannon had “zero chance of surviving the night”. When Rick insisted that they try something they gave him the long shot option of transferring her to another nearby hospital in Orlando with better facilities and with personnel that were more experienced in handling such severe brain injuries. He jumped at the chance.
I was on the next available plane to Florida, preparing myself during the entire long flight for the very real possibility that Shannon would be dead when I got off the plane. She wasn’t but for most of the eleven days I was there it was touch and go. When I arrived she’d had a craniotomy where surgeons had removed the entire bony skull cap on her left side, she was on a ventilator and she was in a neck brace to stabilize her broken neck. There are more gory details but I’ll leave it at that.
Finally, one full week after the accident, we heard the words from one of Shannon’s primary doctors we’d been hoping to hear when he told us “Shannon will survive” but he gave us no false hopes about how much she’d recover. She might never be able to walk or talk again and even her eyesight was on the line.
I was at the hospital most of every day I was there so when they were finally able to wean her off the respirator (a dicey maneuver to say the least) one of my goals was to check out her cognitive status. She couldn’t really talk and her peripheral vision was impacted but she could see so over several days I would ask her questions and she would attempt to write down answers to them.
I saved one of her ‘answer sheets’ and found it again two days ago. The only words on it I can read with confidence are “Thank you dad”.
After her recovery Shannon became fascinated by her many weeks in the hospital, much of which she has absolutely no memory of, so yesterday in honor of her ‘anniversary’ I sent her a copy of the answer sheet. She was delighted to get more of the blanks of her hospital stay filled in.
There were many heroes involved in Shannon’s eventual recovery including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists and other specialists, Ryan and Shannon herself but for me two stand out – her husband Rick and her mother Mary Lee.
This is our little family in about 1975 – Shannon, Mary Lee and yours truly. Mary Lee and I were divorced decades ago.
At the time of Shannon’s accident Mary Lee was on a cruise to South America but on the day I left for home she arrived in Florida to help with Shannon. Despite the fact that she lived in Nevada at the time she stayed with Shannon, Rick and Ryan in Florida for about six months to help with Shannon’s extremely slow and complicated recovery. All of us will be forever grateful to Mary Lee for her extraordinary contributions, some of which continue to this day because Rick and Shannon now live in Nevada close to Mary Lee.
This is Shannon and myself in my back yard 14 months ago. I haven’t seen her since then because of the damn virus.
In the five years since the accident Shannon’s recovery has been almost complete. Her only lingering symptom of any significance is a relatively minor issue with short term memory which she has creative strategies to compensate for.
Before the accident she was an independent soul almost to a fault so one of the things she really missed during her five year recovery was driving. Shannon and Rick both agreed that she’d never drive again unless and until her recovery was complete enough that there’d be no question that she could drive safely. A couple of months ago she was finally certified safe to drive so once again she’s behind the wheel which delights her to no end.
In case you can’t tell I’m proud of my daughter and grateful to everyone involved in her recovery.
Ron
Oh dear Ron … this is such an inspiring story of love and determination and the willingness to take a chance. God bless all of you!!! Thank you for sharing this with us … sending love to all!!!!
It’s more important than usual for those of us who read this to be uplifted with a true account of miraculous recovery, family support, and medical miracles. Thanks for sharing.
Shannon is beautiful. Tears came.
Wow, five years! So happy for Shannon and your family.
Ron, this is truly a story of victory. So glad that you are able to report that Shannon’s recovery is going so well.
Her heart wrenching story is truly amazing and wonderful. So glad you are able to report it.
Blessings to all of you and glad to hear of such a successful recovery. Not every story has such a happy ending.
Keep us all posted.
Blessings to you, Shannon and her entire family.
Alice
Wow this is so wonderful for every one in your family. Some times we just don’t know the out come, but we hope for the best. Doctors don’t always know either and they try to save us from heart breaks that might come when they tell us the worst. I think this is a real miracle for her. Thank you for the updates and God Bless.
Thank you for sharing your story; I am so happy that Shannon recovered. Bless you all.
I am just thrilled Shannon has done so well. That’s great she can drive again. Most of us take that privilege for granted. Can’t believe it has been 5 years. I pray you can see Shannon within the next few months.
Ron,
All the best. Great news and story.
Stephen
Thanks, Ron, for the update, and our congratulations to Shannon for the amazing recovery. Best of luck in the future to all involved.
Wayne
5 years is a very important landmark: congratulations to all of you!
Thanks so much for all the kind and thoughtful comments everyone. They mean a lot to me and I’m sure they will to my entire family.
I had no idea what your family had been through. Hugs.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful joy. I am so glad for all of you. While my experience was different, I understand this moment very personally and share your joy at living life to the fullest. I am so happy for this outcome for all of you.
Glad your story has a happy ending. Hope you get to see your daughter again, real soon. Peace.
Aw, blessings to you all….she is really something…to recover from such an injury and to have so much support and determination. It is so inspiring.
Makes me think that ‘giving up’ should never be an option….thanks for this story and recounting of the story. Be well!
Happy Anniversary, pal!
Ron and shannon and families I have pray all this time and will still do it! Prayers do get answered! It is blessing that time has healed her! Thank you for sharing Dear friend!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing the miracle of Shannon’s recovery and acknowledging her husband and mom. God does exist, angels exist, and spirit is powerful. Happy anniversary to all. Life is precious 🙂 Hope Shannon buys the car of her dreams and enjoys her freedom behind the wheel. Great way to experience gratitude and happiness! Heartfelt hugs to you all Ron. ooooooooooo
Miracles DO happen! And I’m DELIGHTED a miracle happened for you, Shannon, Rick and Mary Lee!
Was so wonderful that Shannon’s husband didn’t accept the grim reality of the first doctors prognosis! Heroic effort by all involved made the all the difference.
Congratulations to all ever involved in your beautiful daughters recovery ❣️
Such an inspirational post Ron…take gentle care sweet man😘
Good ending to a tragic accident! Hopefully now she is closer you can drive down to see her more often. There is some good birding around Vegas, especially in the winter and spring. Ever think about growing the stache back?
” Ever think about growing the stache back?”
Not a chance, April. I’m too lazy these days to keep it looking decent.
Wow, Ron – your post today brings back the initial post you shared with us. You also told us that it takes a LOT to get you on an airplane!! We all worried & prayed that you would be on time. I was so happy for you when I read that Shannon had survived. I also remembered your updates on her progress. I believe in those strong itty- bitty genes she got from you!! I remember when she came out to visit you recently & the wonderful photo of the 2 of you. I am SO happy for you that her hard work has rewarded her & all those she loves!!
I’m sure you remember it as if it were yesterday. You’re all blessed. And she is BEAUTIFUL!
Ron, Thank you for sharing this very deeply personal part of your life. This is the first time I have heard any part of the story and it brought tears. It was great that you thanked your EX for being there and helping with the recovery.
Thank you Ron, for sharing this very personal part of your life. The blessings we receive in our lives are amazing.
So very happy for you, and your family.
Five years …. that’s quite unbelievable. I remember that awful period in your lives so well and how very scary it was, even for your readers. Time does seem to “fly” as we look backward, even if it takes forever while we’re in the midst of such an experience. So happy for all of you that it is now — literally — in Shannon’s rear view mirror! Now, to get thru this stinkin’ virus so you can see your beautiful daughter again! 😍
Thanks for sharing your anniversary with us, Ron, and for reminding us that this is what Life is truly about — love and perseverance.
A reminder that life can change in a split second. She was and is lucky to have family and medical staff that didn’t give up on her.
Cheers to her being able to finally drive… 5 years… wow ❗️
What an amazing, hopeful, and beautiful story. Having your genes was a huge factor, i suspect.
Wow, what a great story! I was especially moved having had a fractured skull from hitting the low limb of an apple tree at a full gallop while riding with a friend when I was a young teen. Whew. She is a beautiful woman. Best to your family!!
Like so many of your online friends, I feel my eyes brimming with tears–
Shannon and all of you who stood by her have gifted us –in these days
of rancor and self interest–with the story of a victory won through courage,
long time and committed effort and –clearly– a LOT of unselfish love and support.
I so appreciate the reminder of possibilities against daunting odds and the gift of seeing you and Shannon smiling and happy to be together…….thank you !
Congratulations to Shannon on the driver’s license! This is not the first time I “heard” the story, but it’s a wonderful, heartwarming one. It’s also one that makes one question when to give up after hearing the doctors’ opinions.
As I mentioned to you in an email about that time, my husband had a cardiac arrest in 2017. The anniversary is Nov. 6th. After being bringing him out of an induced coma several days after the event, the nurse asked him who was President. He answered Ronald Reagan. So we knew parts of his brain were functioning. My son asked him the same question several days later. He and I were both pretty sure my husband’s brain would be fine when he responded, “Some a**hole.”
Coincidentally, last night I was searching for inspiring stories to offset all the incessant gloom in the news. This one is the best.
I couldn’t agree more! Shannon is truly a miracle!
Happy anniversary for the recovery and all the love and care shown – and Shannon’s determination to get well. Terrific that she has the freedom to drive again?
What an inspiring story of determination and family love! Thank you for sharing it!
I can’t believe it has been 5 years! Thank you for posting the update this morning. I love that photo from 14 months ago! Glad to hear that Shannon is driving again, too. Tears of joy for you both this morning-
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years! Happy tears this morning. 😀That WAS a horrible time for your and your family. I’ve been amazed at her recovery from that accident and Rick being “in there” all the way – well many can’t/won’t tough something like that out! Mary Lee and your grandson are also to be commended for their HUGE part in Shannon’s recovery. A GREAT day to celebrate Shannon’s ongoing recovery and now being able to drive…..😀
Thank you for updating. I am so glad Shannon is doing so amazingly well!
More amazing and heart warming than any bird photo you could have posted today.
Yes, I so agree, David!
I am so happy for you and your family, especially your daughter. We went through almost exactly the same thing 21 years ago with our son Robert. I am so, so happy for your daughter, that she has recovered so completly. Thanks for your inspiring post, birding and otherwise!
I so remember that time… and reading this now I have tears of joy for you all.
Hard “work” & Truly a miracle…
To you all… continue to take care.
CJ
I remember these days, and reading through this brought tears to my eyes. I’m so grateful for her recovery, and some mending of your heart past those thoughts on the plane ride. I hope to see Shannon arrive at your house again soon. I remember that picture from 14 months ago, but I can’t even believe it’s been that long!
Miracles really do happen ! Shannon’s story and your family’s reaction when she needed you are truly an inspiration !
Our feathered friends step back for a day in honor of Shannon’s miraculous recovery. I clearly remember your post 14 months ago and can’t believe that those months have gone by so quickly. Thanks for allowing us to share in your family’s remarkable story. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Thanks for sharing this Ron. As a relatively new reader I had never heard this story. I do appreciate a story of survival and recovery against the odds, and this one brought tears to my eyes. It’s so nice to hear of a family pulling together in support of a loved one, and even better when things progress so well. Truly an amazing story and a testament to Shannon’s, and your entire family’s, strength and determination.
I remember the story well! Congratualtions to Shannon!
Have a great anniversary!!
The news that Shannon has made and is continuing to make such an awesome recovery and is now able to drive is “better than birds!” 🙂 She is an amazing and determined woman.❤️
Truly a miracle…which does not happen very often. Family love and determination, medical finesse with a touch of divine intervention…who really knows the combination but truly a miracle. I’m so happy you are able to enjoy each others presence and share anniversaries as this.
Ron, I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that Shannon’s recovery has continued to progress. Thanks for sharing this news, and I sure hope that in a few months we have a competent and comprehensive national response to this damn virus so that you can see her again.
Wonderful story of strength, determination, hard work, family support all resulting in recovery from a terrible accident. Thanks for sharing!
This is a wonderful, wonderful anniversary to be able to celebrate.
I remember that awful time, and am beyond thrilled that she has recovered so well.
Thank you Ron, for sharing this amazing story of determination, grit, and survival!
I have followed Shannon’s story for a long time – 5 years, I guess. It still brings tears to my eyes. Life is so fragile we can never take it for granted. Congratulations to her for all her success in her recovery.
This is simply a miracle. I’ve had much worse case patients in the past from a TBI. This is truly a remarkable recovery.
How wonderful, Ron, that Shannon has recovered to this remarkable degree! I remember that awful time of her accident all too well. Being able to see the photograph of the two of you 14 months ago is positively inspirational!