Dr. G. Carswell Hughs

Dr. Hughs, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, was presented the Award for Excellence in Brain Injury Rehabilitation. Dr. Hughs was admitted to the Pat Neal Center in May 1994 following a horseback riding accident. Despite wearing a protective helmet, Dr. Hugh suffered a subdural hematoma when he was thrown from his horse.

Hughs underwent six hours of surgery to remove blood clots and reduce swelling in his brain. He spent two weeks in Neuro Intensive Care at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, and five weeks as an inpatient at the Pat Neal Center. There he relearned the basic skills of walking, speaking and caring for himself. Hughs also received outpatient care in the Brain Injury Day Treatment Program and the Untapped Potential Program at the Center.

Just five months after his accident, Dr. Hughs returned to the pulpit of his church, praising all those who aided his recovery and rehabilitation.

Brittany Bowman

Three and a half year old Brittany was honored with the Award for Excellence in Pediatric Rehabilitation. This beautiful, blond child was a patient at the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in September of 1995.

As a newborn, Brittany was diagnosed with arthogryposis, a joint fibrosis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers. At 15 months old, she could not sit up or use her legs to crawl. After a month at the Center, she had learned to use her feet for play, mobility and eating.

Today Brittany is able to stand, walk, draw with her feet and use the limited mobility in her arms for most activities of daily living. She is a happy, well adjusted child.

David Morton

The recipient of the Award for Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation, David Morton, suffered two different types of strokes over a seven year period. He was admitted to the Pat Neal Center in May 1994 following his second stroke. At that time, Morton was unable to speak or eat.

He was discharged from the Center two months later, on the same day he took his first steps alone. He continued to receive therapy at home and as an outpatient at the Center. Today, Morton walks without assistance and can do almost anything his busy schedule will allow.

During his rehabilitation, he felt the calling to a new career. After working for Alcoa for almost 30 years, Morton is now the pastor of New Hope Church in Maryville.

Steve White

In October of 1988, the ladder Steve White was standing on began to fall. He tried to jump clear, but landed on his head. He spent the next 25 days in intensive care, and another 8 weeks in the hospital. White came to the Pat Neal Center in January of 1989 as a quadriplegic.

Despite his devastating injury, White was determined to meet each of his goals during his seven weeks in the Rehab Center and in outpatient therapy. Since his discharge he has learned to operate a computer using a mouth stick, secured a small business loan, and begun a successful new business at his family's apple orchard. He now owns and operates Tennessee Little Mountain Apple Butter, selling apple butters, fruit jellies, jams and preserves across the region.

Charlie Watson

The Award for Innovation in Support of the Rehab Process was given to Charles Watson, whose teenage son Damon sustained a brain stem injury in an automobile accident in 1991. When Damon came home from his stay at the Pat Neal Center, Watson created every possible mechanism to make his son's life easier and more rewarding.

Watson built wheelchair ramps, a lift for their swimming pool, a roll-in shower, a therapy room, a standing frame and a ceiling mounted tilt table to allow Damon to continue his therapy at home. He also developed several devices to allow Damon as much independence as possible in his day-to-day living.

Watson's ingenuity, mechanical skills and love for his injured son combined to make life better for Damon and many other brain injury survivors and their families.

Eskimo Escapades

The Award for Community Service was presented to David Bernheim and John Tillett of Eskimo Escapades Foundation. This organization has donated many thousands of dollars and many hours of volunteer time to the Innovative Recreation Cooperative at the Pat Neal Center.

Through this recreation therapy program, patients at the Center are given the opportunity to participate in sports activities, such as water skiing and boating, which many thought they would never be able to experience.

Congratulations to all the recipients of the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center Awards for Excellence. You are an inspiration!