Lemmon happy just to be alive

Here at Georgia College & State University we have what many consider to be a living miracle in the person of Robert Lemmon.

Lemmon, an electrician at plant operations for 22 years, suffered a crippling injury in an accident years ago and nearly died.

“Back in December of 1978, one of the coldest nights of the year, I was in a one-car accident with two friends where the car left the road and flipped seven times,” said Robert. “When it came to rest I was pinned in the car with the dash caved in over my head. I was trapped in the car for around two hours. My two friends were thrown out of the car and sustained minimal injury. Upon arrival at the hospital my parents were informed by the doctors that I had been in a severe accident. I had sustained multiple injuries, which included a head injury, broken mandible, broken ribs and a laceration to the abdomen. I would have bled to death had it not been so cold that night. I lay paralyzed and in a coma for three months where I didn’t even know the world existed. My legs were scissored over each other. My limbs were drawn up like a stroke victim. My hands were closed into fists and my knuckles almost touched my forearms. I lost weight from about 185 pounds to 95 pounds I looked like skin stretched over bones. The doctor’s prognosis was that I would remain in that state for the remainder of my life.”

Lemmon defied the odds and regained consciousness after three months in a coma. However, that was just the beginning of the long road back.

“The head injury I had was to the base of the brain and it involved my motor skills,” said Robert. “My head just went from side to side
constantly, 24 hours a day. I had to retrain myself how to speak. It went from people not being able to understand me at all to where I’m at now and I still at times get down and practice my speech. I had to learn to walk and to feed myself. I had to learn everything that I once learned. I had to start from scratch, just start completely over. My speech is still impaired somewhat. I spent a total of seven months in a nursing facility.”

Lemmon’s wife, Valerie, has been an administrative assistant at GC&SU for 22 years. They met three months before his accident when she was a student at GC&SU. Undeterred, she said she kept up hope and stayed by his side.

“I could only pray that he would recover, because other than prayer there was no ray of hope,” said Valerie. “His recovery was a pure miracle right before my eyes.”

“She stuck it out,” said Lemmon of his wife. “She’s the best of all the rest. There was no one there but her and my mama. She just stuck by me the whole time when I was in the hospital, when I was in the nursing facility, everything. When I couldn’t talk or walk, when I was totally bedridden, she was there. Then after I got out of the hospital and moved back to my parents home we began to see each other again and that’s when I proposed to her.”

Robert’s recovery initially came in small steps.

“I was able to talk within the first year,” said Robert. “I was able to walk somewhat. When I started out I was goal-oriented. When I first stood up, that was an accomplishment. Then there was one step, then two steps. Then there was the hallway of the hospital. Then it was around the hospital. Everyday there was a goal so it didn’t just stop. I kept pressing on.”

He said his rehabilitation is an ongoing process that continues today.

“I’m not the same physically and all as I was before,” said Robert. “When you have this type of injury, going from a coma to back where I’m at now, you’re not ever the same. As a matter of fact I would say I’m still progressing. I’m still recovering because there’s still things that I’ve never done, things that I hope sometime that I will be able to do. I used to play the guitar a lot and I’m teaching myself again to manipulate the strings. I can play and have played with bands since my accident.”

“The recovery was very slow, yet each day a little progress was made,” said Valerie. “That still holds true today. Even now he is still making progress, but nothing you can see every day. Everyday something gets a little bit better. He made a full recovery when you consider going from death’s door to life, but he still has some minor limitations that he has to endure. The limitations now are insignificant compared to where he came from. We’re just so thankful that he pulled through it all.”

Robert has made many friends in his years at GC&SU. People from all over the campus are struck by his friendliness and willingness to help.

“I met Robert when he first came to work at GC&SU,” said Ainsley Eubanks, senior administrative secretary of the art department. “Robert is a kind, happy and generous person. He is very knowledgeable about his job and is always willing to go the extra mile. When something is broken in the department I ask if Robert can come to fix it, I consider Robert a friend. He brightens my day by coming in with his broad grin and optimistic personality. I didn’t know Robert when he had the accident, but he has certainly overcome any obstacle that was put in his way.”

“I have known Robert six years,” said Cassandra Basinger, senior secretary of the dean of education. “Robert is a very conscientious person. His friendly and outgoing personality enhances his willingness to help others. If you ask Robert for help, you can bet he will be there. He is always happy and greets you with a warm handshake and smile. Robert is a very caring person and demonstrates a high degree of loyalty and trustworthiness to his friends.”

“I’ve known him five years or so and he is one of the friendliest persons on campus by far and I have observed this with students, faculty and colleagues with the physical plant,” said Lee Gillis, professor of psychology.

The Lemmons said they consider themselves very lucky for the hand life has dealt them.

“Robert and I are very blessed in so many ways – our overall good health, our family and friends and our jobs at GC&SU,” said Valerie.

“Through my wife’s and mother’s faith and the prayers of many, God saw fit to give me a second chance and healed me,” said Robert. “I look at it like it’s a chance to get things right between me and the Lord. That was my second chance. You talk about getting your house in order. He gave me a time to get things right. I knocked on death’s door and I was practically brought back to life. I love to share my testimony and tell others what God has done for me. This December will be 25 years. I’m still recuperating, and it’s an ongoing process. There are always mountains to climb and things to conquer.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 21 2003. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry