Ann Gressette

Ann was injured on Thursday, April 11, 2019 while doing something she loved, riding her horse with friends.  While attempting a barrel jump Ann tumbled off the horse.  This is a fall many riders, as well as Ann, have had before, but Ann landed badly this time.  So instead of a bruise or two, her neck was damaged, and she could not move.  Fortunately, her friends knew not to move her.  Calhoun County EMS was called and responded, and subsequently she was medivacced to Richland/Prisma hospital.

She underwent about 4-5 hours of surgery to stabilize her neck.  The surgeons put a plate in the front of her neck and 8 screws and some rods in the back of her neck.

She was transferred from PRISMA/Richland to the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta on Wednesday, April 17th.  She is undergoing rehabilitation therapy at Shepherd Center now.

Initially, within days of her surgery, she regained some movement of her arms and could wiggle her left foot, but could not feel it.  She had some slight sensation of touch in her right leg, but no movement.  She could not use her hands or fingers.  A few days later, she regained more arm movement, but only faint sensations in some fingers.

As of Sunday, 4/28, She has good movement, feeling and control of her left leg.  She has some feeling in her index and middle fingers and her left thumb, but little strength in her fingers.  Her arms and wrists are getting stronger.  She is making progress every day, and the staff is encouraged – as are we.

She was fitted for a motorized wheel chair on her first full day at Shepherd.  That is how she drives herself to her various daily therapy sessions.  She usually has 2-3 Therapy sessions/day

She says she can feel God’s presence around her.

All of the prayers from everyone are felt and appreciated.