On February 26, 1991, my brother Chris, then a high-school junior, was involved in a tragic automobile accident. Chris was a passenger in the vehicle. The driver lost control and Chris was ejected from the car. He landed face down in a body of water and the car landed on top of him.
Chris suffered a traumatic brain injury due to head trauma and lack of oxygen. Including inpatient and outpatient care, he spent close to a year in the hospital.
My mother was fierce and determined with his recovery. Had it not been for her, Chris would never have regained abilities he has today — eating on his own, communicating, or walking with assistance. With the support of our entire family, she spent the next 27 years caring for Chris at home.
As the years passed and we all grew older, we knew that Chris would need more assistance than we could provide. The Virginia Home is the only place we ever considered because it’s not a custodial facility, it’s a family.
I know there are many stories similar to ours. I am just thankful to The Virginia Home for assisting us in writing this next chapter of Chris’s life, and giving him and so many others the best outcome possible.
Debbie Cody, Sister of Chris