A healthy trauma system saves lives

I am living proof that the trauma system saves lives.

It was nearly two years ago, and the summer between my junior and senior years at Richland Northeast High School had just begun. I was running errands before picking up my younger sister from a music lesson. In an instant, my life changed forever. Just a few blocks away from her teacher’s home, another car, going very fast, ran a stop sign and crashed into my car at the driver’s door.

I do not know who called Emergency Medical Services, but within minutes they were there. EMS immediately assessed the extent of my injuries and sped me to Palmetto Richland’s Level 1 trauma center, where the most seriously injured patients are taken. Once I arrived at the hospital, the head of the trauma center, Raymond Bynoe, along with his talented team immediately initiated the process that would save my life.

He had a lot of work to do. My heart and kidney had been bruised. Both my spleen and bladder had ruptured, and I had a collapsed lung. My pelvis was fractured in three places. I had a fractured clavicle and 13 broken ribs. I had also suffered a severe brain injury and would remain in a coma for two weeks.

I suppose my parents would say that the first miracle was the success of the surgery performed by Dr. Bynoe to piece my broken body back together. To this day, my mother refers to his “precious little hands” and the incredible skill with which he pulled me back from the brink of death.

The second miracle was the day I awoke from my coma. I couldn’t talk; I couldn’t formulate thoughts, but my family was grateful that I was alive and in one piece.

Rehabilitation was an extremely important part of my recovery, and without physical therapy I might still be in a wheelchair. Dr. Bynoe, who oversaw all of my care while at Palmetto Richland, arranged for me to be airlifted to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where I began the long road of rehabilitation. The crash had robbed me of my memory and ability to recognize even my family. For months, I worked hard at becoming the girl I was before the crash.

Finally, I was able to walk into Palmetto Richland’s trauma center and thank everyone for saving my life. Before my accident, I had never met these people, but now I am forever connected and indebted to them. It was just incredible. And on top of that, I graduated from high school on time and am in my second semester at the University of South Carolina.

I still attend therapy, and I still have trouble remembering things. I can’t take a full class load, but I can walk to class, even run if I’m a bit late, and I could not have done it without all the amazing people who have touched my life.

At the time of my accident, I had never even thought about the trauma system in our state. I guess a lot of people are the same way. We take for granted that if the worst happens, there will be an EMS team to take you to the best trauma center possible. This isn’t the case, however. The trauma system, which includes the EMS, the hospital-sponsored trauma centers, the doctors, nurses and many other critical components is not tax-supported and is not required to provide these life-saving services.

Right now the Legislature is considering legislation called the Statewide Trauma System Act. It calls for a formal infrastructure for our state’s trauma system so the system can work more efficiently. It also calls for the establishment of a permanent trauma fund to help pay for the trauma system and to help cover the cost of care for those who can’t afford it. My family and I are urging legislators to pass this legislation, which will save South Carolina’s trauma system so it can continue to save lives.

Before my car accident, I had never even heard of a trauma system. When I look at what the system and its many dedicated professionals did for my life, I can’t imagine a community where citizens do not have access to top-quality trauma care. My Dad says, “We should all hope that we will never need the services of a trauma center, and pray that if we do, the system will be there.”

Please let your representatives know that you want to be assured that this life-saving care will always be a part of life in South Carolina.

Ms. Briggs is a freshman at the University of South Carolina.