In 2020, Alex, a 16-year-old, was in a severe car accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury. The crash occurred the day before Mother’s Day, horrifying his family, who witnessed it firsthand. This is the story of how he defied the odds and overcame profound obstacles following the life-altering event.
After the accident, Alex was treated at University of Tennessee Medical Center. Two weeks later, he was transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta for specialized care, where doctors were uncertain whether he would survive, walk, talk or eat again on his own.
“The only thing we could tell was the tag on the front of his truck. We still have that tag to this day,” his mother said.
The family faced a difficult transition as they adapted to Alex’s condition. He required a feeding tube and ventilator, and doctors had little hope for his recovery.
“It’s been tough, but I just fought through it,” Alex said.
Just days before his high school graduation, surgeons at the University of Tennessee Medical Center removed Alex’s tracheostomy tube after three years—something they had believed was impossible. Remarkably, he was still able to lead a normal life, taking vacations, becoming an uncle and attending a wedding that year. The family said it often felt like the end, but it was really a new beginning.
“I have seen people triumph through very severe brain injuries and live productive and even independent lives at times,” says Kellie Lanier, Maxim Healthcare CNO/SVP of clinical operations and quality. “And to see Alex following that trajectory is just very inspirational and I just think that’s something that can give lots and lots of families hope.”
Five years after the accident, Alex, now 21, has made unimaginable progress. He no longer relies on machines, has regained some movement and has undergone 16 major surgeries. Alex hopes to return to school and start a family. He continues therapy and fights a daily battle, but he isn’t giving up.
Alex’s road to recovery is truly remarkable and serves as a powerful reminder to all of us at Maxim Healthcare of the strength of the human spirit. It’s one example of how our dedicated nursing team continues to help families like Alex’s thrive.
Maxim Healthcare provides a range of home health and personal care services. Contact your local office to learn more about Maxim’s services to get the support you need.
To learn more about Alex’s remarkable story, watch this video.
