Michael Harrell

Michael Harrell is a father of four. On his 11 year anniversary, he was in a four wheeler accident. After coming home, his wife began to worry something was wrong as he wasn’t home and began searching for him along with the help of a neighbor. Michael was located after having laid in the woods an hour and a half. He was conscious when he was found. His first words to his wife were “I’m sorry” and then told her he was paralyzed. After that he said “get the gnats off me.” He was covered in ants and gnats and couldn’t move anything. Ems got there quickly and he was transported to New Hanover. The next day he had spinal surgery. They replaced his C4/C5 disc. His larynx and thyroid cartilage were fractured and had 1 broken rib. After surgery, Michael was healing fine. He was alert and communicating to loved ones through a chart. He was jamming out to his music. He was extubated a few days later. 12 hours later he had to get re-intubated. After that it was touch and go, fighting the pneumonia/fevers, trying to strengthen his lungs. The doctors switched him to a different ventilator and he started improving but wasn’t strong enough to extubate again. So we chose to do a tracheostomy and put a feeding tube in so he would be more comfortable not having things on his face and in his throat. Multiple nurses and doctors recommended Shepherds Center. They specialize in rehab for spinal cord injuries. They are the best on the east coast and it’s only 6 hours from our home. Michael was diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic. With a lot of hard work, therapy, and prayer, Michael stands a good chance of regaining some mobility.