Emmie just turned 16 earlier this year and by all accounts she is pretty typical. Even though she is small in stature she has the fighting spirit of a champion. She's going to need every bit of it. In the first week of July, Emmie and her friend went to a house two miles away for a little party. They got someone to use a fake I.D. and buy them some liquor. Just like I used to and I suspect a great many of you reading this as well. Kids just don't have the best judgement at times. They had arranged for someone else to drive them home but apparently changed their minds once the drinking started. Emmie took the passenger seat and her friend drove. They didn't go far.
The car left the road and hit a tree deploying the airbags. They were unable to determine if the collision or the airbag broke her neck. She was immediately paralyzed from the neck down. If her spine had been damaged one inch higher she would be dead or on a ventilator. As it was she was diagnosed a "complete" paralysis. When she arrived at the hospital they rushed her to surgery to install a screen to prevent a blood clot from doing further damage. Then they had one surgery to put a metal plate on the front of her neck. Then another surgery to put a plate on the back of her neck. Once she was stable enough she was driven by ambulance to Atlanta.
Miracles happen a lot at the Shepard Center and hopefully Emmie will be the latest one. She regained movement of both her arms. The hands and fingers have not progressed as much yet. She has some limited feeling in her legs and feet. These are very encouraging developments even though the doctors try to temper any excitement. She told her Mother that all she wants to do is something all by herself. Brush her own teeth, comb her own hair, go to the bathroom, anything. Not one day has past since I heard of the accident that I haven't tried to put myself in her parent's shoes. My mind just won't let me do it. It shuts down immediately. The thought of having to do that for one of my children or step children breaks my heart in a way I can't describe. Not when they are 16 years old. It just doesn't make any sense.
How do you ever not cry the minute your child leaves the house at night? Do you ever feel safe again? I don't know. I know that the medical bills were mostly covered by insurance. The other costs of a van to transport Emmie and a wheelchair is not. Making the house accessible to a wheelchair is not covered. Transportation to and from Atlanta for therapy will not be covered. These will quickly eliminate all the savings the family had. I am including the address and phone number on the bottom of the page for an account set up at Trustmark Bank for Emmie. If your heart calls you to donate than please do so.(No amount is too small) We all know how tough things are so if you can't donate or choose not to, please say a prayer for Emmie. If praying isn't your thing try and keep a positive thought toward her and her family. The last favor I ask of you is easy for everyone to do. Could you PLEASE share this on your Facebook page? The more people on her side the better the odds of a miracle.
When I first met Emmie four years ago I never knew she would become a step sister to my two boys. In blended family terms that means when the boy's Mother and I divorced she married Emmie's Father. Reality is slowly sinking into Christopher and Zachary concerning their step sister. At first they were mildly upset but didn't quite get the changes that were about to occur in her life. Every time they visit her at the Center it becomes harder for them. Hopefully God will give them, Emmie's parents and the rest of the family the strength they need. The fact that Emmie is still alive and fighting back tells me she has the strength she needs. Anything the rest of us can do would go a long way toward helping. Thank You in advance!!!
Shane and Kim Brookins c/o Emily Brookins
Trustmark Bank Lakeland Branch
3714 Canada Road
Lakeland, TN 901-377-3868
Any questions or concerns please ask for Nancy Harrell, Branch Manager
You can also follow Emmie's progress at http://www.carepages.com/ It's free to sign up. Also Facebook at prayforemmiebrookins. Sincerely, Thank you all again.
Till next.....
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