Diane Roberts Stoler - Coping with mild traumatic brain injury

Perspectives

Witnesses who observed the scene described the victim lying in the road as being in a fetal position with very obvious open and closed injuries. EMS and related professionals have been trained to recognize that patients found in this positionespecially those who have been ejected out of a vehiclehave an extremely high mortality rate. Just being ejected usually means the patient has a massive head injury.

Laura Mason, EMS Trainer

Its a moment in time that seems to slow down as you say to yourself and, at times, out loudDont you leave me. Hold on, youre going to make it. Maybe, I think, subconsciously that individual hears me.

Robert Strickland, Retired Lieutenant, Texas Department of Public Safety

I remember the night so vividly. Id just finished playing soccer and was going to meet friends later. Then Dad told me the news no one wants to hear: A few of your friends have been in a bad car wreck. One is Patti, who was rushed to the hospital, and the other is Heather. My body dropped onto a chair.

Brooke Hicks, Full-time Mom

I found out about Pattis accident from my mothers friend, who heard about it from one of Pattis friends in Dallas. I was scared to go to the hospital and see Patti... I didnt know what to expect or what she would look like.

Mary Thorpe Bentley, Former Product Training Specialist, Tyler Technology

I was getting stuff the emergency workers needed out of the bag and handing it to them. I didnt know it was Heather we were working on. Later on, though, after we were finishing up, I read her name and Pattis name on a piece of paper. Thats when it all stopped for me. I didnt want to do that again. When you dont know the person youre working on, its okay. I can handle that. But when you know them, thats different. I didnt want to be a paramedic anymore.

Now I stay at the back and direct traffic for them. Im fine with that. The wreck in Bullard stopped it for me. I couldnt handle it.

Matt Berry, Former Paramedic Trainee/TBI Survivor

You dont know who I am, Patti. Im Jimthe medic on your flight. Im also the operations manager of Air One. If I can help you, if you need me for anything, dont hesitate to call me. Just call up the hospital, theyll get you in touch with me.

Jim Spire, Flight Medic, Air One Helicopter

The night of the crash, I joined the rest of the women from Pattis Bible study at the hospital. After a few hours of waiting, I went outside and called my husband. I just needed to let out all the worries and fears that were on my mind.

Finally, a doctor came and took Pattis parents to the back. She would be undergoing brain surgery that night. The look on their faces told me how worried they were. The hospital staff said it was a very serious surgery and we needed to pray Patti would make it through.

I gathered my belongings and, along with the other Bible study girls, headed upstairs to continue waiting. Little did we know we would spend the rest of the summer hanging out at ETMC hospital.

Sarah Jane Walker, School Counselor

We realized if she survived the wreck physically she may still end up in a vegetative statealive, but not really living. We prayed specifically every night for Patti and the other girls, and for the family of the young lady who did not survive.

Gillian Sheridan, TV News Anchor

I was told Patti had been ejected from the vehicle. Any time I hear the word ejection where a wreck is involved it adds an extra sense of concern.

I knew Patti had a strong Christian faith, and that added even more mystery to why this happened. I think many times in life we ask ourselves why bad things happen to such good people. But her faith hasnt been shaken by this ordeal and shes a living example of one of Gods miracles.

James Sheridan, Bank Executive

She couldnt hold the spoon at all and she could barely open her mouth. I think they were giving her oatmeal. I remember she said it was good. And when Judy would give her a drink, shed try to touch her hands to the glass. It was all she could do to open her mouth and swallow it.

It was such a shock to us because she had always been our sunshine.

Virginia Aunt Jenny Foster

We thought we knew what to expect, but we didnt. She had not been able to verbally communicate with us in Tyler.

Amy and I had our backs to the door when Patti was wheeled in from therapy.

Patti asked the attendant, Who are those people?

He replied, I dont know.

Can I talk to them?

Again he said, I dont know.

At this time, we turned around and said, Hi, Patti!

She said, I know you, but I dont your names.

Annette Straubing, second-grade teacher, and Amy McMath, third-grade teacher

Pattis first time to stay anywhere other than at Pate or her parents house was the weekend she spent with us. Before we left, the staff gave us all the meds she was to take, plus several cans of Ensure. She stood by quietly as they told us about her medication. She said nothing... until we got in the Suburban. Then she let us know what she thought about Ensure, saying, I dont like that stuff. That stuff is nasty!

We were nice and didnt make her drink it.

James Bentley, IT Manager, Stonebriar Community Church

The most enjoyable classes we had at Pate were when wed get to walk outside with the group each day. Things would change. Everybody would loosen up and relax and have a good time. It was a good ending to some tough days.

Kiely Bogges, Recovering TBI Survivor

I thoroughly enjoyed our call with Patti. The last thing she said before we hung up was a challenge I plan to put into practice: We must let our lives talk way more than our mouths!

Andrew Morgan, BH Carroll Theological Seminary Student

Her positive outlook on life and strong will to conquer what doctors told her were impossible tasks are truly an inspiration for all. I found it helpful to talk to her about what pastors can do during a tragedy similar to hers.

Christyna Richards, BH Carroll Theological Seminary Student

Well, what amazed me was this: She had lost everything, but her core led her to hunger for Gods Word. Everything had been taken away and she didnt understand anything, but her body, heart, and soul knew she had to have it. She hungered for His Word. Her physical abilities had been taken away, but her spiritual side was alive.

Judy Rivers, Physical Therapist, Triangle Therapeutics