By Michelle Steinhebel, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:00 am
Teen paralyzed after car accident goes to California for treatment
Alex Lewis has practically lived in hospitals for the last five months - a feat not easy for a man at any age, but an especially challenging circumstance for a vibrant 18-year-old.
Since Feb. 29, Alex has stayed at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis and Legacy Emanuel Hospital, after the vehicle he was driving rolled over on River Road near Waterloo and he was left paralyzed from the shoulders down. It's been a long, tiresome road to recovery for Alex. After spending a few weeks at home, Alex left July 15 for Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., for specialized rehabilitation treatment.
"He has a little feeling in his arms," said Alex's father, Don. "He can use his right bicep and contract his right arm." Although he can pull his right hand to his right shoulder, his hands do not function well and he is unable to move his left arm.
"In his left arm though, sometimes you can feel the muscle contract," Pam explained. Alex is making progress and has learned to feed himself and has written his name.
The treatment at Shriner's is free and comes with a flight for Pam, who will stay for two weeks. Alex hopes to stay at the hospital for about three months to maximize his rehabilitation. The couple expect that Alex will undergo surgeries at Shriner's to help him regain more movement.
Although the goal of the Shriner's staff is to help Alex gain more functionability of his limbs, they also want to stress goal-setting, Pam said. But Alex has some goals in mind already.
"He wants to go back to school and get his diploma at LHS," Pam explained. She believes Alex was only two or three credits from earning his diploma. "He's an excellent student," Pam added. Alex had hoped to go into the medical field, just like his mother. Alex had gone with Pam, who is a certified chemodialysis technician with Samaritan Health Services, to retrieve eyes from a cadaver for a school project late last year.
"He still wants a family and a career," Pam said. "I don't know how he keeps in such high spirits," Don added.
Pam remembers the day she got the call that Alex had been in an accident. She sped to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis after hearing the news. Don was already at the hospital. Pam turned a corner and saw Don's worried and emotional face.
"She just looked devastated then," Don said. "She got a look on her face and hit the floor. I had to keep telling her, 'No, we still have him.'"
The crash resulted in a broken neck, a sizable gash on the side of his forehead, and glass was embedded in the back of his head.
Speed was a factor in Alex's crash, although he was wearing a seatbelt. "He's just too tall," Pam said. "Him being so tall is probably why he wound up with the injury he got," Don said. Now Alex cautions his visiting friends about speeding.
While Alex is focusing on rehab, his family and friends are focusing on raising funds to improve his medical journey. Jeannie Lewis, Alex's aunt, is collecting cans and bottles for expenses, which Pepsi has been cashing in for the family, regardless of the soda brand (although they will not accept beer cans). The beer cans Pepsi doesn't count, the family turns in themselves.
But tragedy struck last Monday, when thousands of cans and bottles were taken from the Lewis residence. "We had several hundred dollars worth of cans," Pam said. "If it's not one thing it's another." The thieves made a mess while taking the goods, and left behind broken glass that Pam and Don had to clean up.
"It's just low. I've got to laugh about it because I can't hold a grudge, but nothing surprises me anymore. We really have to collect more cans and bottles now," Pam said.
The funding from cans and bottles was set to remodel a bathroom in the home so Alex could utilize it.
"It was just a slap in the face after all the work we put into it," she added.
Although the cans and bottles were taken, other community funds have been successful. Alex had worked at McDonalds before the accident, and the Lebanon McDonalds raised $685 for Alex. There is also an account set up for Alex at OSU Federal Credit Union. Donations are tax-deductible.
The funds have come in handy because although Alex has health insurance, there are other expenses that insurance probably won't cover. The couple recently bought a van, one that is tall enough for Alex's 5-foot 2-inch frame - and that's the height when he's sitting.
Don and Pam have been overwhelmed by the amount of community support they've seen in the last five months. Don works at ENTEK, where his co-workers donated vacation time so he could be with Alex. The company also donated all the materials for a wheelchair ramp outside the Lewis' home and three of Don's co-workers volunteered their time and put in the ramp.
"I can't say enough about the people I work with and for," Don said, with tears in his eyes. Right after the accident, employees pooled together $3,000 for Alex. "They've just been great," he added. Pam is also thankful. "They've lifted a big weight off of our shoulders," she added.
Friends and family can follow Alex's progress at www.caringbridge.org, by typing in "alexlewis" on the website's home page.