Newswise — Houston Police Department officer Lloyd Morrison has the use of both legs and his arm, and he gives credit for this fact to the medical staff at Ben Taub General Hospital who he says likely saved his tattered limbs from certain amputation after his horrific accident in 2009.
“I credit the Houston Fire Department with saving my life. And I credit the team at Ben Taub Hospital for saving my limbs. They are tenacious. They never stop. I honestly believe that if I had gone to any other hospital, my legs and arm would have been amputated,” Morrison says.
Morrison had responded to a drunk-driving investigation off Interstate-45 when he was struck by a second drunk driver. Incredibly, he and emergency personnel at the scene were hit again by yet another drunk driver. The accident left him with severe injuries to both legs and an arm that dangled only by skin.
His lead surgeon, Dr. Brad Scott, medical director, Trauma Services, Ben Taub Hospital, reunited with Morrison at the Harris County Hospital District’s Trauma Survivors Celebration on May 15.
“Seeing Lloyd walk around and being active makes me feel great. It shows that everything we did as a healthcare team really paid off in someone’s life. Of course, a lot of the credit for the recovery goes to Lloyd for not giving up and continuing to get better,” Scott says.
Other trauma survivors who received care from the Harris County Hospital District’s hospitals — Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson — gathered for the annual event that reunites former patients with their caregivers of first-responders, physicians and nurses.
The group included survivors from the last three decades like Destiny Lopez who while in elementary school in 1999 tripped and stabbed herself in the heart with a pencil and Roland Sanders, who in 1998 was shot for a bicycle he had bought that summer after cutting yards to purchase it.
“When you needed us, we were there for you, and that’s the commitment the Harris County Hospital District makes to our community to always support a cutting-edge trauma program,” David S. Lopez, president and CEO, told a crowd of 140 invited guests and friends.
The celebration was part of the 10th Annual Circle of Survival Trauma Conference, a gathering of healthcare professionals to educate them on the latest in trauma care. Other attendees at the celebration included:
Jason Ferguson was out celebrating in 2002 by drinking too much and driving too fast. He clipped barrels on US 59, rolled several times and was thrown from his truck. His injuries were extensive; the worst was a traumatic brain injury. He spent a month at Ben Taub Hospital and went through rehabilitation at Quentin Mease Hospital. Today, he has two sons and continues his recovery.
Jacqueline Hardeman was in a car accident in 2008 and suffered a lacerated aorta and organs, crushed lungs, head injury, broken ribs and a fractured pelvis and lower back. The next time she was aware of her surroundings was New Year’s Eve. She required nine surgeries and nearly 20 pints of blood. She credits doctors and nurses for saving her life and physical and occupational therapists for regaining her strength.
Jacy Jordan was 7 years old and had just won the title of Miss Pasadena Rodeo when she and her family were involved in a car accident. Jordan was thrown from the SUV as it rolled four times. Her left leg was broken in two places and skin was missing from hip to toe. Doctors feared amputating her leg, but managed to save it. Today, she’s in high school and plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin after graduation.
Manuel Martinez was shot in the head in 2010. However, he didn’t realize it until after nine hours and going to sleep. Fortunately, he went to LBJ Hospital where he received care before being transferred for more extensive care at Ben Taub Hospital. Today, Martinez is doing well and is back at work.
Ronnie Reitz suffered a terrible car accident in 2011 when he hydroplaned and hit a tree. His injuries included facial trauma, traumatic brain injury, a crushed pelvis, a broken femur, a broken sternum and collapsed lungs. Today, he continues outpatient therapy and has resumed a light work schedule.
Vicente Rosas planned to spend his Christmas break with friends back in 1995, but on his first night out, he was shot in a drive-by shooting. The bullet hit his spine, and he was told he would never walk again, but within months after starting rehabilitation he defied the odds and walked. The “not-so-stellar” student did a complete turnaround. He started making As and Bs and received a scholarship to The University of Oklahoma where he graduated. Today, he is a chemical engineer at a prestigious firm.
Mark Steinhubl suffered a traumatic brain injury after a gunshot incident in 2009. The bullet entered above his right eye. Taken to Ben Taub Hospital, he underwent four major surgeries and a number of other procedures. Today, he’s pursuing a civil engineering degree at Texas A&M University.
Danny Vaughan, HPD officer, was filling in for another officer at the police station when a gunman shot him four times in the face in 1993. He was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital where he spent six hours in surgery and required 500 units of blood. Today, Vaughan is a public speaker, an author, scuba diver, a sea captain, a grandfather, among other things.
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