God was there for me and showed His love through my family, my church family and complete strangers. God is truely
faithful. Inspite of me. Once word got out of what happened to us, our church, Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham, went
into action. One couple, Barry and Kathy Coopland took our children and kept them during the duration of our hospital
stays, then allowed my wife to live with them while she was recovering from her injuries. Others made all of the arrangements
for Nathan's funeral and kept us from having to worry. Pastor Culpepper told the Elders it would be a long term commitment
to help our family and it was. I do not even know who all did what for our family. I know Stephen Mitchell
DMD and Craig Byrum was and still are holding me accountable. Steve Jarrell (who I was working for was
there too.. Berry Justice (my father-in-law started a trust fund for our family, and the monetary support was unbelievable.
Total strangers also got in on this once our story was out. I still have a large box of cards and letters I received
while in the hospital, most of the senders whom I didn't know. So many thanks to all those who helped our family.
I had incredible support from 3 friends in particular -- Steve Jerrell, Craig Byrum and Dr. Stephen Mitchell.
These guys came to see me regularly and kept me going when I didn't think it was possible. Thank you, guys -- I could
never tell you what you mean to me. I love you!
Those months in trecovery were very grueling. Due to a broken arm and damage to some nerves, I was sent to
a nursing home called Hanover House, behind StVincent Hospital in Birmingham for about a month. An additional back
surgery become necessary due to a staph infection. Once this healed, I was in Spain Rehabilitation. I now
had to relearn everything -- even the most seemingly simple tasks were now a chore to do. I was determined
that I wasn't going to let this get me, though. God had kept me alive for some reason....
