Recovery
Awareness
Foundation
Ila Nofziger
Greetings from Debbie, and her mom Ila, from Cornelius, North Carolina.
On December 26,1995 at 11:11 AM, the lives of our
family were changed forever. Debbie called me from her work and asked me to come and get
her because she kept blacking out. By the time I got there, she was actually gone, having
suffered cardiac arrest. I rode with them in the ambulance and heard them defibrillating
her 3 times-saw them take her out of the ambulance beating on her chest, and saw everyone
running to her side in the emergency room. After about 45 minutes, they were able to
revive her, but told me she probably wouldn't wake up. Later we were told either she
wouldn't live or, if she did, she would be in a vegetative state the rest of her life and
we were encouraged to take her off life support. But she proved them wrong, and has
continued to show improvement ever since that day!
After several weeks in ICU, and months in Rehab, I was so unhappy with the care she was receiving, I wanted her home. What an enlightening experience this has been. I knew absolutely nothing about brain injury--, however, due to her affliction, I have researched, studied, asked a lot of questions, and continue to fight the system constantly to see that Debbie gets what she deserves. I feel now I know more than many doctors about her condition and her chances of Recovery. This has been a very rewarding mission for me-oh yes, I have shed many a tear in frustration, but I feel I have been chosen for this to help many others who need the support and answers just like I did. I feel it is an honor to be involved with the Recovery Awareness Foundation and want to be there for anyone who needs answers and solace of any kind.