Recovered Trauma Patient Gives Back

Tools

By Kyle Midura

Story Published: Apr 14, 2011 at 7:30 PM MDT

Story Updated: Apr 15, 2011 at 1:10 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Two years after an accident nearly took her life, a Bozeman woman makes a weekly trek to the hospital that saved her. Emily Davidson said it's her way of "paying it forward."

One night in September 2009, Emily hopped on her bike like she's always done. "I remember very little from that day," said Davidson, "I don't remember the accident."

The trip took a traumatic turn, she fell, and a steel stake lodged in her head.

Shortly thereafter, a Help Flight crew from St. Vincent Healthcare flew into action. After a 50-minute flight, the team of medical specialists took immediate lifesaving measures.

"I woke up and I wasn't able to make a word, let alone a sound," said Davison.

Physiatrist Morrison Bryan watched over her recovery. "She was having trouble understanding to a fair degree. She also had some ataxia, difficulty controlling her body," he said.

Emily spent more than a week in the hospital, as she learned how to talk again. A year and a half later, she said she's about 97% recovered but still has trouble with some words. "Stethoscope," she said, "I have to concentrate on that one."

"It's wonderful to see people recover," said Bryan.

Since the accident, she's had a chance to reconnect with the flight staff and doctors who saved her life. "It feels great just to give these people a big hug and tell them 'Thank You'," she said.

"Sometimes the outcomes aren't quite as good as we'd like to see, but in this particular case everything went as well as it possibly could," said Help Flight Nurse Chad Cady, "when she comes to volunteer, we're able to say 'Hello' and get caught up a little bit."

Davidson also returned to the sport she loves. "I won't sit on a bicycle without a helmet anymore," she said, "but it felt great."

She credits St. Vincent Healthcare staff and her family for her recovery. Now she staffs the information desk at St. Vincent every Thursday helping others find their way.

Emily said she never lost hope during the recovery process and is currently prepping for grad school.

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