DID KNOW?

“It was such a shock,” she said. “We’d had a plan for our lives. We were doing what we thought was everything the right way, and just like that, we had to go into role reversal. Now I had to be the head of the household, making the decisions, taking care of the kids, being with Matt in the whirlwind of hospital procedures and with the surreal shock of what had happened.”

As Kristen spoke of those ongoing trials, I remembered another Biblical story of the man called Job. Faithful to God, nonetheless he was subjected to horrific loss of family, possessions, virtually everything. Friends turned on him, yet Job never lost faith.

“For us, we had experts on life who covered us with love and support,” Kristen said. “Matt’s parents, Coley and Sharon, and my folks, James and Denise Osburn, were there for us constantly, and that love and support continues. Just recently, Coley took Matt to the Georgia Aquarium, where he swam with sand sharks. Coley helps out so much around the house with things Matt would normally do.”

I asked Matt if he had any memories of all he had undergone, and he admitted he did not remember much but has a vivid recollection of answering that shoplifting call. He expanded on Kristen’s testimony of help from the family, giving credit to the Wounded Warrior Project. Both he and Kristen were amazed at how, without being asked, WWP representatives would show up with everything from meals to rehabilitation programs. Kristen, meanwhile, recalled a day—after some pretty bad days—at Grady Memorial Hospital when Matt had seemingly taken a downturn. Nothing seemed to be working, but he had somehow improved.

“One of our Grady nurses spoke to me that day,” Kristen said. “She said, ‘I’ve seen medical things happening with your husband that just don’t make sense, and I’ve got to give this to your God.’”

As Matt recovered and fought his way through torturous physical therapy with progress measured in baby steps, he and Kristen grew closer to God. Kristen admits there is a battle at times as the two of them hand over control to God while wrestling with the desire to take it back. They have made Him their focus, attending Crossroads Baptist Church, where they attend disciple group meetings, prioritize their time and socialize with like-minded people who offer sound counsel when needed.

The Coopers also searched for the best way to talk to their children about “the accident.” A child life specialist has provided insight relatable to training them, as well as dealing with grief, short-term memory loss and the fact that Matt will tire out more easily as he continues to recover physically.

“We want our kids to be kids,” Kristen said. “The Bible says tribulation will come, that it rains on the just and the unjust, but we are coping.”

Matt volunteers with the Covington Police Department when time and health allow, and he stays involved in programs such as adaptive cycling through the Wounded Warrior Project. Kristen teaches part-time at First Baptist Academy, where she is afforded the flexibility she needs. This formerly shy and quiet girl has grown into a Type A wife, mother and caregiver, and she makes no apologies for whatever situation arises to cause changes in plans.

“The role reversal has been challenging,” she said. “It’s a fact that Matt will get tired, but he does not need to apologize for that. Folks who know, know, and if they don’t get it, well, that’s OK.”