Max
06-08-2003, 11:48 AM
Progress continues for critically injured officer
RON HARRIS
The Daily Mountain Eagle
Published June 07, 2003 10:22 PM CDT
A Jasper Police Department motor scout critically injured more than a month ago continues to make progress, his family said in a statement to the Daily Mountain Eagle.
Officer James Hobbs, 58, is being treated at The Shepherd's Center rehabilitation facility in Atlanta for injuries he sustained when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a vehicle at the intersection of Alabama 118 and Viking Drive on April 29.
The Shepherds Center, the country's largest catastrophic care hospital, specializes in the treatment of people with spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury and other neuromuscular disorders.
Hobbs' wife, Gale, said in a release that her family "continues to be grateful for the loving concern shown concerning (James') recuperation."
"James is making slow but forward progress," his wife wrote. "Each day the medical staff at Shepherd's Center sees improvements that excite them. This is so hard for me to explain to anyone that has not experienced such a devastating injury in his or her family. The staff at The Shepherd's Center have to remind me every day that this will be the slowest thing anyone can go through.
"The staff also makes no prognosis on how far the progress will go. The staff will not even attempt to answer any questions on James' future."
Hobbs suffered massive head injuries in the accident, as well as a broken arm and several broken ribs.
"James' broken bones have mended very well. If that were all that was wrong with him, we would have been home weeks ago. James had a setback for about a week with pneumonia. The infection was enough to make me doubt that he would live through the week," Gale Hobbs wrote. "Apparently he arrived in Atlanta with the infection, and the staff fought valiantly for his life. Then he had to fight another week to get off the ventilator. After that mountain, James was moved to the Acquired Brain Injury unit.
"The first week in the unit, James had started to become aware of people around him. In just these past few days, he will open his eyes when anyone enters the room. This 'awakening' is occurring because of his scheduled therapies, a cocktail of medications, and James' family participating in his therapy.
"James is just now starting to try to communicate with his eyes, small hand motions, and grunts. The family feels that this is miles from where we were on April 29. An we are thankful for every movement he makes.
"Will James walk, will he drive a car, will he police again? Please do not ask right now. We only want to see that smile," she concluded.
A fund has been set up at First National Bank of Jasper to help with expenses incurred by Hobbs' wife and other family members who continue to stay by his side.
To make a contribution to the fund, you can go by any branch of First National Bank, or drop donations off at the Jasper Police Department on Alabama Avenue. Make sure to designate the donation to the James Hobbs Fund.
To send Hobbs a get-well card or any words of encouragement, mail them to: James Hobbs, c/o The Shepherd's Center, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30309-1465.
The accident led police and city officials to permanently suspend motorcycle patrols.
"They're gone," Jasper Police Chief Bobby Cain said after the accident. "They're too dangerous."
Paul Alexander, 72, of Jasper was arrested at the scene of the accident and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Alexander reportedly remains in the Walker County Jail.
Alexander allegedly ran a traffic light at the intersection of Alabama 118 and Viking Drive and pulled into the path of Hobbs' motorcycle. Hobbs slammed into the rear passenger side of Alexander's late model Cadillac and was thrown approximately 40 feet.
COPYRIGHT ® 2003 Daily Mountain Eagle, a division of Cleveland Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved
http://www2.mountaineagle.com/NF/omf/eagle/news_story.html?[rkey=0020766+[cr=gdn
RON HARRIS
The Daily Mountain Eagle
Published June 07, 2003 10:22 PM CDT
A Jasper Police Department motor scout critically injured more than a month ago continues to make progress, his family said in a statement to the Daily Mountain Eagle.
Officer James Hobbs, 58, is being treated at The Shepherd's Center rehabilitation facility in Atlanta for injuries he sustained when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a vehicle at the intersection of Alabama 118 and Viking Drive on April 29.
The Shepherds Center, the country's largest catastrophic care hospital, specializes in the treatment of people with spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury and other neuromuscular disorders.
Hobbs' wife, Gale, said in a release that her family "continues to be grateful for the loving concern shown concerning (James') recuperation."
"James is making slow but forward progress," his wife wrote. "Each day the medical staff at Shepherd's Center sees improvements that excite them. This is so hard for me to explain to anyone that has not experienced such a devastating injury in his or her family. The staff at The Shepherd's Center have to remind me every day that this will be the slowest thing anyone can go through.
"The staff also makes no prognosis on how far the progress will go. The staff will not even attempt to answer any questions on James' future."
Hobbs suffered massive head injuries in the accident, as well as a broken arm and several broken ribs.
"James' broken bones have mended very well. If that were all that was wrong with him, we would have been home weeks ago. James had a setback for about a week with pneumonia. The infection was enough to make me doubt that he would live through the week," Gale Hobbs wrote. "Apparently he arrived in Atlanta with the infection, and the staff fought valiantly for his life. Then he had to fight another week to get off the ventilator. After that mountain, James was moved to the Acquired Brain Injury unit.
"The first week in the unit, James had started to become aware of people around him. In just these past few days, he will open his eyes when anyone enters the room. This 'awakening' is occurring because of his scheduled therapies, a cocktail of medications, and James' family participating in his therapy.
"James is just now starting to try to communicate with his eyes, small hand motions, and grunts. The family feels that this is miles from where we were on April 29. An we are thankful for every movement he makes.
"Will James walk, will he drive a car, will he police again? Please do not ask right now. We only want to see that smile," she concluded.
A fund has been set up at First National Bank of Jasper to help with expenses incurred by Hobbs' wife and other family members who continue to stay by his side.
To make a contribution to the fund, you can go by any branch of First National Bank, or drop donations off at the Jasper Police Department on Alabama Avenue. Make sure to designate the donation to the James Hobbs Fund.
To send Hobbs a get-well card or any words of encouragement, mail them to: James Hobbs, c/o The Shepherd's Center, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30309-1465.
The accident led police and city officials to permanently suspend motorcycle patrols.
"They're gone," Jasper Police Chief Bobby Cain said after the accident. "They're too dangerous."
Paul Alexander, 72, of Jasper was arrested at the scene of the accident and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Alexander reportedly remains in the Walker County Jail.
Alexander allegedly ran a traffic light at the intersection of Alabama 118 and Viking Drive and pulled into the path of Hobbs' motorcycle. Hobbs slammed into the rear passenger side of Alexander's late model Cadillac and was thrown approximately 40 feet.
COPYRIGHT ® 2003 Daily Mountain Eagle, a division of Cleveland Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved
http://www2.mountaineagle.com/NF/omf/eagle/news_story.html?[rkey=0020766+[cr=gdn