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Spotsylvania County resident comes home in a wheelchair after a nightmarish accident at a tropical paradise Date published: 12/4/2009
By CATHY DYSON Steven Mitchell's first trip out of the country was supposed to be two weeks in paradise, but his vacation turned into a nightmare. The 27-year-old was on a party boat in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the Dominican Republic. When the captain told everyone it was time to get in the water, people did back flips and jumped in feet first. "I decided to dive in," Steven said. "As soon as I did, I remember seeing sand and the ocean floor. I heard a pop, and I'm thinking, 'Holy s---, I done done it now.'" Steven broke his neck when he dived headfirst into what turned out to be shallow water. Two vertebrae disintegrated, and their bone fragments damaged his spinal cord. After three surgeries and four months in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, Steven came home to Spotsylvania County in a wheel chair. He's paralyzed from the middle of his chest down. The young man speaks so candidly about his experiences people around him can't help but laugh at his bluntness and honesty. He's no fan of what he calls the "third-world" conditions of Caribbean hospitals. He cursed nurses because they couldn't speak English and wouldn't let his brother see him. He did the same to Atlanta specialists when his occupational therapy involved making brownies. That's his nature, said his twin brother, Michael. "He's always been buck wild." Steven's eyes lit up, and he grinned: "Breaking jaws and breaking laws, that was me." 'I'M DOWN AND OUT' It's been tough for Steven to accept the changes since the May injury. He's determined to rebuild his body the best he can--he's able to hold a glass, brush his teeth and roll around on the floor--but frustrations abound. His insurance won't pay for more therapy because he's used all his benefits for the year. His family built equipment for him, to help him get used to standing again and get his blood circulating, but it's outside in the workshop. He never liked the cold before, but since the accident he can't tolerate it. Then there's the question that plagues him most, the one he never gets answered: Will he walk again?
Date published: 12/4/2009
Steve - I'm praying for you and your family. I'm so glad you're a strong family with a lot of support - especially from your twin brother.
maybe that whole "im gonna be hell on wheels" attitude is what got him in this mess in the first place. thank the lord that you are alive and settle down a bit!
that you have an attitude like that. Your attitude and the bond with your family will be what pulls you through this. Don't give up. It could get worse before it gets better...but it WILL get better. Keep your head up and I will keep you in my prayers.
Stay positive Steven! Wishing you the best!
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