Timothy Johnson
was given a second chance.
He could have been paralyzed,
but now he runs 5K’s
As an 18-year-old just a few months shy of high school graduation, Timothy had bright future. He was a local track star, named to the 2007 Best of the Preps and had earned a college athletic scholarship.
A gunshot wound to his head changed everything. Timothy was in a coma for two days. His mother was told that if he survived, he would be paralyzed from the neck down and would need full-time care for the rest of his life. Timothy’s mother, however, refused to give up hope.
When Timothy moved one finger, the doctors thought it was just a twitch. He gradually regained some strength and was referred to Church Health for physical rehabilitation.
Timothy started college at LeMoyne-Owen and went to therapy after class. At first, he was in a wheelchair, unable to walk. “Being hurt was a real shock,” he recalls. After two years of steady and hard work, Timothy started running again. He now runs a 5K every month.
“This was against all doctors, all books, all everything… I just trusted in the Lord… It’s a miracle for me just be here.”
Timothy graduated from college with a degree in special education. He now teaches sixth and seventh grade special education, and he is finishing his master’s degree. “I know the struggle when your mind is telling you to do something, but your body is not letting you do it.” Timothy feels he can relate to his students who deal with physical challenges. And he will always remember the kindness and empathy of his Church Health physical therapist. “This, this is a great place.”
Gifts to Church Health help give people like Timothy a second chance.
Learn more: churchhealth.org/clinicalservices/physical-therapy/
