Health Watch

Brain injury survivor "pays it forward"

Posted: Apr 14, 2011 6:03 PM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Apr 14, 2011 6:10 PM

BILLINGS - Every year, St. Vincent Healthcare helps thousands of patients, but it's not everyday that one of them returns the favor.

For the past decade Emily Davidson, 28, has called Bozeman home and like many in the city, she rides a bicycle. But on a September evening in 2009, the simplicity of a bike-ride home turned deadly.

"I fell off my bike and I happened to hit a t-post that was on the side of the trail," explains Davidson. "I was not wearing a helmet, so my head went into the t-post causing a skull fracture and a laceration in my brain."

Davidson's friend was on the trail that night and found her within in minutes of the accident. She was taken to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and HELP flighted to St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.

"We got a call to transport her from Bozeman to St. Vincent for a neuro-surgical intervention," explains Chad Cady, RN, HELP Flight.

Davidson has no memory of the event.

"I woke up in ICU unable to speak, let alone make a sound initially," Davidson says.

Rehabilitation began immediately. Within days she re-learned how to speak and a year a half later she says she's nearing 100-percent.

"Went on obviously to make a fantastic recovery," says Dr. Morrison Bryan, MD, with St. Vincent Healthcare Physical Medicine Clinic. "Going from some very few uttered words to being quite eloquent."

Family played an important role in her recovery, including a four-legged family member named "Shep."

"We've always been pretty tight, he's my buddy," Davidson says as she looks at Shep. "He definitely helped me in the recovery process."

In the midst of all the trauma, Davidson says St. Vincent Healthcare did more for her than just save her life.

"I did not have health insurance when it happened," explains the brain injury survivor. "And they ended up coming back with 100-percent assistance."

Now, Davidson is paying it forward. Since last August she's been driving from Bozeman to Billings every Thursday to volunteer with guest services at the hospital.

"I decided that there's no way that I could do nothing," Davidson says. "Kind of pay it back."

Cady commends his former patient.

"She's an inspiration to try to give back to a facility that did something for her," he says.

Dr. Bryan agrees, but adds he's just happy to see her doing well.

"I think it's cool," Dr. Bryan states. "I think it's wonderful that she wants to give back, but just that she has her life back is enough for me."

The Bozemanite still rides her bike regularly, but says she never gets on the seat without a helmet.

"I remind myself everyday how blessed I am," she says.

This week is National Volunteer Week.