How a community and a local hospital came together to save a life

While our community is still cleaning up and recovering from the havoc that Hurricane Helene brought when she graced us with her presence, our family is rejoicing and celebrating the recovery of a loved one who was injured in the aftermath. After a frightening night as Helene passed over Emanuel County, like many others, we woke up the next morning to investigate the damage that she left in her path, and to get ready to begin our storm clean-up. Our day took a tragic turn when we got word that my dad, Teddy Bailey, was seriously injured in an accident.

When we arrived on the scene of the accident, we were met with First Responders who were already on the scene, as well as some community members who happened upon the accident and they began helping immediately. Reality began to set in when we saw how serious Daddy’s injuries were and realized that there was no possible way that an ambulance would be able to get to us because so many roadways were blocked due to fallen trees.

Because of the quick thinking of one particular First Responder, Mr. Charles Headrick, who was attempting to slow the bleeding of an arterial bleed, the decision was made to transport Daddy in the rescue truck to meet the ambulance. The ambulance was able to meet the First Responders and Daddy about 3 miles away and Daddy was transferred to the ambulance and rushed to Emanuel Medical Center Emergency Room.

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Upon arrival, we discovered that the hospital was running off of a generator, as the power had been knocked out due to the storm. They were also limited on staff because many were unable to make it to work due to downed trees and blocked roadways. As we waited in the makeshift waiting room, due to the ER being under construction, our family began praying, desperately wanting Daddy to be okay. When Dr. A came out to speak with us, we knew that the news was not good. We were told that Daddy had suffered a severe injury to his head and he needed to get to Augusta, however, he could not be flown due to weather conditions and they could not drive him due to blocked roadways. At this time, his condition was very critical, and they were working on him in an attempt to stabilize him. We felt scared, trapped, and desperate because we knew that his injuries were just too severe for the resources available at Emanuel Medical Center.

However, during this time that we had to wait to be transferred, the Emergency Room personnel worked tirelessly to stabilize Daddy so that he could be prepared for transport to Augusta as soon as conditions were safe enough to travel. They recognized immediately that his injuries were critical and that they needed to get him to a hospital that would be able to provide what he needed for his specific injuries. Their team worked diligently to get the arterial bleeding under control and to get Daddy to a point where he could be transported as soon as the green light was given. Because of the valiant efforts of the Emergency Department team at Emanuel Medical Center, they saved my Daddy’s life. If it were not for the knowledge, skill, determination, and dedication of this staff, our lives would be much different today.

Our community is blessed to have Emanuel Medical Center as our local hospital. Being able to see familiar faces when it feels as if your world is falling apart around you brings a sense of comfort in a very traumatic time. Our family is thankful for everyone who played a part in taking care of Daddy on the morning of September 27, 2024. We are eternally grateful for what you all did. God used each of you as a vessel to bring healing to one of His own, and for that, we thank you!

After 61 days of hospital stays and rehabilitation, we were able to bring Daddy home the day before Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for Emanuel Medical Center and the part that they played in saving our loved one. Because of Emanuel Medical Center, we did not have an empty seat at our table this Thanksgiving Day!