Doctor of Physical Therapy program helps two TBI survivors defy all odds
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he Campbell University Doctor of Physical Therapy program’s mission is to graduate doctors of physical therapy who deliver compassionate, patient-centered care from a service oriented, Christian guided view, with a special emphasis on rural healthcare environments. Two North Carolina men, Adam Root and Ian Ward, are defying all odds because of love, faith, family, and help from Campbell’s PT program. Adam Root and his wife, Amy, were married in 2007. Amy described their relationship as, “one that was growing daily.” Adam enjoyed racing motocross in his free time, and on May 15, 2010, the family’s lives changed forever. Adam went for a jump going 40mph and landed on his head. He was life-flighted to UNC Medical Center, and the doctors did not know if he would survive the surgery. Adam had broken multiple ribs and suffered severe brain injuries. The prognosis for Adam was very grave. Doctors said that Adam would never understand language again due to irreparable brain damage. Amy clung to the promise that God was bigger than Adam’s injury. Adam was in a comatose state for two years. Waking him up from the coma was a slow process, but he did wake up. He has undergone 17 brain surgeries, and had his left hippocampus removed; yet, he is still capable of making and holding onto memories. With slow improvements being made, doctors unsure of how to offer further help, and resources dwindling, Amy was eager to find support for her husband. She reached out to Campbell’s DPT program in 2018 to see what resources might be available to her family. Amy’s prayers were answered the day Jacob Kap showed up on her doorstep. Jacob is a third year DPT student from Ogden, Utah. He is passionate about how to retrain correct movement patterns to restore health and wellness. Jacob was in a unique position to assist with Adam’s long-term health through his personal knowledge of health and wellness. Thanks to Jacob’s fun, yet grueling activities, Adam has progressed slowly,
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Ian Ward with DPT students
yet significantly. Jacob believes the only limitations we face are the ones we set for ourselves, and he shared that Amy and Adam are, “the definition that with love, faith and God, anything is possible.” When Jacob left for his third year rotations, DJ Redmond stepped up to serve. The Raleigh native, also a third year DPT student, quickly realized that Adam was up for anything. DJ shared, “I wanted to see if I could push Adam to try things that he would supposedly ‘never do again’. **Spoiler alert** Adam is doing things he was never ‘supposed’ to do again!” DJ does not take credit for any of Adam’s achievements, and was quick to point out that Adam takes advantage of all opportunities to progress towards personal goals. The DPT program answered another call for help when a fluke skateboarding accident left 25 year-old Ian Ward in critical condition. The doctors prepared his family for the worst outcome. Ian was in an induced coma for six months, and the doctors said he would likely be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. While his prognosis was never positive, Ian has defied all odds and is approaching the four-year anniversary of his injury.
Dr. Kim Ward, Ian’s mother, has served as an English instructor at Campbell since 2006. Dr. Ward reached out to the physical therapy program for help and Dr. Michelle Green, assistant professor of Physical Therapy, responded. Dr. Green has encouraged Ian to participate in her Life Span Neuro course. Ian visits Campbell at least once a week, and Dr. Green and her students spend time helping him regain strength, mobility, and daily life functionalities. Dr. Ward shared that Campbell is the reason for Ian’s success. When Ian first came to Campbell, he could barely stand up on his own. Ian is walking again and progressing well! When asked about his improvement, Dr. Green shared about the day that Ian stood up on his own and played his guitar for the physical therapy students. It was a monumentally special day! The Root and Ward families are so appreciative to Campbell’s Physical Therapy program for all of the support and encouragement. Adam and Ian’s improvements are proof that God is bigger than any injury!
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