PLEASE Help Greg go from surviving to THRIVING!

On Monday October 2nd, 2023, Greg Thomas and his girlfriend Stephani were seriously injured when another car crossed the yellow line and hit them straight on. They were in North Carolina to visit Stephani's family. Stephani, when she came to, was miraculously able to exit the car and was sent by ambulance to the local hospital, where it was discovered that she had broken multiple bones in her hand, bruised the entire left side of her body, had a concussion and injured her left shoulder.

Greg was unconscious for around an hour as they worked to cut him out of the car. The dash board was all the way to the seat trapping his legs. Once they freed him, Greg was airlifted to the Trauma Center at Atrium Hospital in Charlotte. It took us hours to locate Greg and get an update.

Just after midnight a surgeon called to get Greg's 19 yr. old son, A.J., his next of kin, to give permission for an emergency surgery on Greg's bowel. We also learned that Greg had sustained fractures to both of his femurs (one compound), his foot, a vertebrae in his lower back, multiple ribs, and his sternum. Less concerning is the small brain bleed that Greg suffered which the doctors say is so small they aren’t worried about it! (Originally we were told by a nurse that he had a traumatic brain injury.-seeing the car, I don’t know how he avoided one.)

He had surgery for his bowel on Tuesday morning, on Wednesday Greg was in surgery for almost eight hours to repair his femurs. He was supposed to have surgery to repair his right foot today, Thursday, but they postponed, in part to see how he was faring when not coming out of anesthesia as he was having some problems recalling short term memories, events and words, His left eye began to wander as well after the 2nd surgery and they are trying to figure that out. So the surgery on his foot will wait until tomorrow.

A.J. and I (his mom Michele) flew out early Tuesday morning to be with Greg and Stefani who came to Charlotte after she was released from the local hospital. Together we have been working to be sure Greg has excellent care, making decisions, informing Greg's workplace, and updating Greg's siblings, who are working to help with legal and insurance issues and claims, back in Michigan.

The other driver was completely at fault, according to the off duty police officer who witnessed the accident, and immediately rendered aid to Stefani and helped stabilize Greg until paramedics arrived. We are hopeful that eventually the other driver's insurance will help offset costs of medical care and transportation- those life flights are terribly expensive! The other driver refused treatment and left the hospital.

The prognosis is that Greg and Stephani are miracles who have and, God-willing, will continue to survive. The journey back to health will be a long one. Greg can not stand or put weight on either leg yet, and faces months of physical therapy. He will not be able to go back to his job as a Wayne County Sheriff for quite a while and the loss of income will be devastating as the bills pile up.

We are hopeful that we can bring Greg back to Michigan to a rehab facility or skilled nursing center but we are unsure how we can safely do it without either a lengthy ambulance trip or another helicopter flight.

Greg, Stephani and even A.J. will also need therapy to overcome the emotional trauma that this has caused, and to help them find ways to cope with their new reality.

If there is any way you could share even a small amount to help them during this time of need it would be most appreciative. Greg has given much of himself, serving his community as an EMT, firefighter and sheriff's deputy, it would be a wonderful statement of support if the community would give a small bit of assistance to Greg now, when he needs it most.

Thanks,

The extended Thomas family