Within
less than a year of their marriage, Matt and Danielle Davis faced a harrowing
ordeal when Matt sustained grave injuries in a motorcycle accident. It was July
2011 when his bike collided with an illegally parked car while merging onto an
interstate. The impact inflicted a multitude of severe injuries, comprising
multiple fractures, organ damage, and traumatic brain injury, rendering Matt
unconscious and reliant on life support.
The
Eyota Highlight Story: Sometimes there
are stories that are just too good, too beautiful, or too unbelievable to keep
locked away. That’s why we scour the archives and bring some of them back to
enjoy again. They may make you smile or shed a tear, but they’re always meant
to add a little something to your day. This story is from April 2015.
Following
Her Intuition
Physicians
advised Danielle to consider withdrawing life support for her husband, as they
estimated a mere 10% chance of him emerging from the coma. Alongside numerous
fractures in his femur, jaw, ribs, collarbone, and skull, Matt suffered a
lacerated liver and significant brain trauma, leaving only a slim 5%
possibility of a full recovery. Danielle shared in a television interview that
doctors had even expressed their personal inclination to discontinue life
support in such circumstances.
"They
mentioned they would opt for the same choice for their loved ones," she
recounted, despite her steadfast decision to diverge from their counsel.
"I firmly believed in God's ability to guide us through this challenge. I
never doubted that it was within His power," she affirmed.
Matt
and Daniella's courtship lasted merely two months before they tied the knot. At
the time, she was 24, and Matt was 23. Just seven months into their marriage,
tragedy struck with the accident. Compounding the situation, Matt had lost his
father two years prior, leaving his mother too unwell to provide care after his
own devastating accident. Despite the odds, Daniella made the difficult choice
to keep him on life support. Upon awakening, Matt found himself grappling with
the aftermath of brain damage, erasing memories of Daniella. Nevertheless, he
expressed gratitude for their union, affirming to ABC news, "I'm certainly
glad I married her."
Till
death us do part
Danielle
relocated with Matt to her mother's residence, where they assumed the
responsibility of his care. During the initial three months, Matt remained in a
coma. Upon regaining consciousness, he began to track their movements with his
eyes. Reflecting on the situation, Danielle expressed her desire to provide
Matt with the finest environment possible, telling her mother, "If we're
bringing him home, let's ensure he has the most magnificent vista." She
emphasized the importance of offering him a stimulating view, recognizing that
even as he lay confined to a bed, it could offer solace and inspiration.
They
collaborated to help Matt practice the exercises his therapist had prescribed
during rehabilitation sessions, such as holding up objects and encouraging him
to grasp them. Danielle vividly recalls the moment when Matt successfully
reached out and seized a toy motorcycle. "It may seem insignificant, but
to us, it was nothing short of a miracle," she reflected.
He
took his first steps almost three years after the accident
While
Matt's physical condition showed signs of improvement, the healing process for
his brain trauma proved to be more protracted. He faced challenges in
reclaiming his long-term memory and remained unable to recall Danielle from
their pre-accident life. Upon emerging from the coma, he found himself
unfamiliar with her identity. Consequently, they embarked on a journey of
rediscovery, getting to know each other anew.
The
road to rehabilitation is both gradual and financially burdensome. In an effort
to alleviate some of the costs, Danielle established a GoFundMe campaign,
although it is now inactive. In her appeal, she shared, "It's been 3 1/2
years since Matt's accident, and his progress continues! He's off all
medications and relies on forearm crutches for short distances under
supervision. Unfortunately, insurance coverage for therapy has ceased.
Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury require extensive rehabilitation, and
progress can continue even a decade post-injury. However, insurance often falls
short in covering the necessary therapy, hindering individuals from reaching
their full potential."
It
took a while for Matt to rediscover his sense of humor. However, there was a
moment that reassured Daniella of his enduring quirky personality. He quietly
requested his favorite meal, a buffalo chicken wrap from Cheddars. "Though
it was a whisper, I knew I heard him correctly. Cheddars was his absolute
favorite before the accident!" she recalled, realizing that despite the
challenges, some things remained unchanged.
Matt
and Danielle’s Instagram has not been active since 2017. We hope they are doing
well!
Sources
1.
“Wife Refuses to Give Up on Husband in Coma After Crash – Then He Wakes Up.” ABC News. Sydney Lupkin. April 06, 2015,
2.
“Learning to love again: Wife ignored doctor’s plea to pull plug on husband, he
beat the odds weeks later.” Global News. John Hadden. April 7, 2015
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