Roy Herzog
On Jan. 29, 2003, Roy Herzog, 40, of Ola came to BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center-Little Rock after falling from an eight foot platform at a frozen food processing plant where he was employed. Losing his balance, Herzog landed on the concrete floor, severely damaging his skull and breaking several vertebra. The fall also severed his spinal cord between vertebras four and five, causing paralysis from the middle of his chest down.

Once at BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center-Little Rock , Herzog had 12 staples placed in his head and multiple procedures to help combat complications caused by the paralysis. "Before my accident, I always thought about myself first. This really opened my eyes. To know that there is a God in heaven and a family I can turn to has given me hope. I should have died that night and without God watching over me I would have," said Herzog.

Herzog was transferred to BAPTIST HEALTH Rehabilitation Institute (BHRI) on Feb. 3, to begin his rehabilitative therapy. "I wouldn't have known what to do without Baptist Rehabilitation. They are excellent at what they do. My physical therapists do a wonderful job. Anytime I have needed help with anything, the staff has been right there; I have never had to wait for anything and you can't find that anywhere else," said Herzog.

While at BHRI, Herzog met another patient who became an inspiration to him. Randall Jewett, also a paralysis patient, helped Herzog through therapy and they learned to deal with their injuries together.

"Randall became my friend and without both our families working together, I don't think I could have made it. Randall was really in my corner, pulling me through. We plan to keep in touch once we go home," said Herzog.

David Beaty, a BHRI LPN has been Herzog's nurse since he was admitted to the facility. " Roy has made great progress. I really feel that he will be able to take care of himself when he gets home," Beaty said.