Testimonials

Air Evac Lifeteam is a blessing to Georgia man

I'm an over the road trucker for Swift Transport. I was delivering in Olney, Il on Fri. Nov. 11, 2011. I'd parked at the Red Rooster truck terminal & was re-estabolishing my driving time when at 3 am Sat. morning I expeirinced a heart attack - my first, and hopefully my only.

I was transported by ambulance to a local haospital where I was stablized. I was then evaced to Evansville, Ind., by Lifeteam.
I deaply appreciate the Lifeteam staff that attended to me. They were informative & kept me in a good mood. Their use of a little levity & humor mixed with their expert training made the trip enjoyable & non stressful. I wish I could remember their names, but with what was happining the memory of names is fuzzy.

I do greatly appriciate them & pray that the Lord blesses them as they do such a wonderful job.
Thank you Lifeteam from me & my family. You are a blessing. - Tim Whitfield, LaFayette, Ga.

Air Evac Lifeteam was my lifesaver

At 5 a.m. on October 17, 2011, while traveling to work, I crashed into a flat bed truck. The truck had run out of gas and the driver failed to remove it off the road completely. While driving at a speed of aprox. 50 mph I crashed into it without putting on my brakes, because it was dark and I didn't see the truck.

I broke all my ribs but three, cracked my sternum, damaged my lungs,liver, and spleen with internal bleeding. Worst of all my feet were broke off from the fibia and tibia and hanging without structure. My right foot was crushed my completely. I should have died and thanks to God, the sweet people who helped until the abulance arrived and the Air Evac Lifeteam crew who came to my rescue, I am alive.

They made the decision to fly me to Vanderbilt University Hospital due to my severe injuries. They saved my life because of such quick response and smart decisions. They were my life savers that scary and life-changing day. It has been more than three months now and hopefully I will walk soon. The doctors say I should be recovered in about a year.

Thank You to everyone who helped me and others like me. God Bless! - Robin Kinser, Brownsville, KY

Air Evac Lifeteam will also hold a special place in my heart

Air Evac was so great with me. I experienced a floght with them in 2007. I had a Heart Attack and they were wonderful. So kind and caring. Al Wilson asked me that night if he landed that chopper ok for me and I said yes. He is my friend on facebook and these people will alway's hold a special place in my heart. They are my angels. Air Evac is number 1!! - Pam Cain, Liberty, KY

Air Evac was our flying angel!

On October 27, 2011 it will be a year since Air Evac was involved in saving my 16 year old daughter's life. My daughter was on her way to church that evening and as she was crossing HWY 412 she was hit by a 1 ton work truck doing 70 plus mph. Local paramedics arrived on the scene quickly and was calling for a "bird". They were told that none were available but all of a sudden a voice came across the radio from a Air Evac pilot on the scene of another wreck in a town 20 minutes away by car. He said we will pick her up. Within 5 minutes of her wreck I heard the chopper landing before we made it out of our house to the scene less then 200 yards away. When I heard the chopper I knew it was serious. With the extensive injuries my daughter had she would not have survived going the 45 minutes by vehicle to a trauma unit. Air Evac was our flying angel.
Today I had the privilege to watch my Senior daughter in the Homecoming parade. Thank you Air Evac you were a part of this parade today.  - Leanne Smith, Oak Grove, OK

An AEL membership is the best money you'll ever spend

On June 21, 2011 I fell and broke my hip and was taken by ambulance to Scotland Co. Hospital in Memphis, MO.The ER staff called Air Evac and they said they would take me to Peoria, IL. where my wife had worked at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

We were ready to leave and the Air Evac team got a call that 3 storm fronts were meeting in Peoria and they were grounded from there. Since I didn't want to go anywhere else we opted for a ground ambulance. Air Evac called back and said they had a fixed wing plane that could take me. They assured me it was still Air Evac and would not cost extra since I am a member.

My trip to Peoria was as comfortable as possible and I am very glad that I am a member. They have called me a home to assure me there will be no more charge to me. My wife and I recommend to everyone we know that don't have a membership that it the best money they will ever spend. - David Hayes, Memphis, MO

Arkansas man pleased with how the AEL crew took care of him

My name is Robert Rice. I am 32 years old. On September 30, 2011, I was working at my job at a police department when a truck came through the building and hit me. The rescue crew called Air evac in to transport me to Memphis to a trauma center. I was very pleased with how they took care of me. - Robert Rice, Hoxie, AR

Arkansas woman grateful for extra time with husband

My husband Terry Pearman had a heart attack and had some very serious complications. Without going into great detail, he had to moved from BRMC in Mountain Home, AR to Baptist Memorial in Little Rock, AR. To say his condition was stable would be an understatement. Various machines were keeping him alive and time was of the essense.

We could not use the Air Evac Helicopters due to the weight of the machines. But Air Evac Lifeteam's fixed wing service, operated by Eagle Med,came to the rescue. All of these men and women went above and beyond with their service and compassion during this transport. The flight was successful and my husband made it to Baptist and a couple of months later, I brought him home from Little Rock.

During the time I was in Little Rock with my husband, my family was taking care of my home. More than once one of the members of the transport team called to check on my husband. I will never be able to say enough about these men and women. They are angels in human form.

I have since lost my husband but they afforded him a fighting chance, for this I will always be grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and God Bless. - Cherie Pearman, Mountain Home, AR

College student on road to recovery thanks to AEL

April 24, 2009 started out the same as any other day for a sophomore college student. It was "dead week", the week before finals, and I decided to go back home from college for some reason.

A friend and I had decided to go drive around that Friday night and have a few beers. As the night progressed three other friends had joined us in his pickup. Around 12:00 a.m. we were apparently headed to Woodward, OK when we attempted to go around a curve with a posted speed-limit of 45mph at 92mph, according to the black-box in the pickup. Needless to say, we did not make it.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol report the pickup skid down the ditch embankment, hit a fence, cart-wheeled, and began rolling from there. Another passenger and I were knocked unconscious and thrown 69 feet from the vehicle.

When paramedics from Arnett, OK and Shattuck, OK arrived on the scene I was unresponsive. A radio-call was made for Air Evac but they were 20 minutes out due to the need to re-fuel from a flight that they had just made.

From the scene I was transported to Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck where Air Evac landed to pick me up. From Shattuck I was flown to OU Trauma-One. I was at OU for around a month, chemically-paralyzed, and placed in a chemically induced coma. From OU I was transported to Select Specialties Hospital in OKC for a very short time, and from Select Specialties I was transported to Integris Baptist in OKC. I had multiple broken bones, head trauma, and severe lung trauma. I was unconscious and on life-support for 3 1/2 months in OKC.

If it had not been for the Air Evac Lifeteam out of Woodward, OK only God knows what my outcome would have been. I am now back in Stillwater, OK going to college about to enter my Senior year. Thank you Air Evac Lifeteam for being there when Seconds Count! - Jon Mann, Arnett, OK

Georgia woman finds the crew who helped save her life

It may have been fate, coincidence, or just plain luck that brought Jennifer Gardini and Missy Welborn together that afternoon at a motorcycle shop in LaGrange, Ga. But Missy, the Membership Sales Manager for the Troup Co. Air Evac Lifeteam base, happened to overhear a story so remarkable that she just had to intervene.

It was a story about a nearly-tragic Mother's Day, two lives saved, and a nine-month quest to find the flight crew that helped avert tragedy.

Gardini, by all accounts a healthy young woman with no previous health problems, woke up on May 9, 2010, with intense pain between her shoulder blades that eventually radiated to her chest. After being taken by ambulance to the West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, blood tests indicated the 28-year-old Gardini had suffered a heart attack.

Complicating her situation was the fact she was 35 weeks pregnant at the time.

"The cardiologist was concerned for my heart and for the baby, and rightfully so," said Gardini, who indicated that aside from being diagnosed with gestational diabetes at six months, her pregnancy had been uneventful. She also had no prior heart-related problems. "It was decided that I would need to go to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta to deliver the baby and to have open heart surgery, but my situation was so critical that an ambulance was not an option. I had to be flown."

The Air Evac Lifeteam crew of flight paramedic Michelle Bevard, flight paramedic Gary Metcalf, and pilot Quillie Trott was summoned to transport the ailing young woman to Emory. Gardini, despite being heavily medicated, remembered the brightly-colored red, white and blue Air Evac helicopter, and her own feelings of trepidation. "I had never been on a helicopter," she said. "I was scared, but that crew was just outstanding, especially Michelle. I really bonded with her, and they took such good care of me on the flight. I felt like I was in wonderful hands."

The crew kept Gardini and the baby's heart rate stabilized during the flight and quickly transported her to Emory, where it was determined the young woman was suffering from SCAD, or spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Eighty percent of SCAD cases are women, and a third are late in pregnancy or shortly after.

"It's a very rare medical condition, with only 347 documented medical cases for women, and it has a high death rate," said Gardini. "It was explained to me that the stress from the pregnancy and the hormones in my body had strained my heart, causing SCAD." Medical personnel were able to safely take Gardini's daughter - Emily Grace - via Caesarean section before Jennifer underwent a six-hour double-bypass surgery. Three days after that surgery, complications arose after Gardini suffered a second heart attack, and she underwent a second surgery to repair that damage.

Despite her dire medical condition, Gardini remembered that the Air Evac crew, despite already having safely delivered her to Emory, not only accompanied her to the cardiac cath lab for a stenting procedure but was still there when she woke up. "They all just patiently waited for me during that procedure, just to make sure I was alright. They didn't have to do that. Their care was just outstanding."

After about six months of chest discomfort, Gardini reports she is now completely healthy, and along with husband Michael is now focused on raising 9-month-old Emily Grace and Emily's two older brothers, ages 8 and 6. But she never forgot the care and compassion of that flight crew, and while relaying her story at the local motorcycle shop, Missy Welborn stepped in to offer her assistance in finding the crew.

Welborn, whose main responsibility is offering Air Evac's memberships to the local community, was able to track down the crew on Gardini's flight and arrange times for a cheerful reunion. Eight months after her ordeal, Jennifer was able to meet the crew that she credits with helping saving her life, and that of her baby. "It was great seeing everybody, and being able to thank them for their help," she said. "The crew even gave Emily Grace her own set of flight wings." In return, Jennifer emphasizes to friends and acquaintances the importance of having an air ambulance helicopter in the local community, and uses her story as an example of why an Air Evac membership is so important.

"Our military benefits paid for the cost of the flight, but without that we would have received a very large bill, and an Air Evac membership can save you thousands," said Gardini, referring to Air Evac's membership plan of complete financial coverage for a flight for $50 annually for individuals, $55 for couples, and $60 for families of three or more. In return for those annual fees, Air Evac Lifeteam does not bill members for the cost of a flight.

Gardini said that as a healthy young woman, she never expected to need the services of Air Evac Lifeteam, but is grateful for their presence. "I never realized the importance of an air ambulance, but I do now. You just never know when you might need one."

Haleyville Family Recalls Accident that Changed their Lives

Four years after surviving a harrowing car accident that nearly ended her life, a 21-year-old Haleyville, Ala., woman and her family are giving credit to the Air Evac Lifeteam crew in Muscle Shoals for their part in her miraculous survival story.

Logan Tedder, currently a junior at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, proudly sports a black T-shirt that simply states "Miracle" to commemorate her recovery from an accident in the early morning hours of July 12, 2007. That morning, Logan's life was forever altered; a star young athlete lay broken and battered beside a road, her body desperately gasping for air.

A single-vehicle accident resulted in Logan being violently ejected out of a Jeep; in fact, the teen hit a tree so hard that clumps of her hair were stamped onto the bark. "Medically, she shouldn't have survived," said her mother Lynn.

Bucking all medical odds, the young woman whose skull was described by her mother as "looking like a broken egg" did survive despite the traumatic brain injury and having the entire right side of her face crushed. Her skull fracture was so significant, in fact, that it began at her right eye socket and went around her skull to her brain stem. She also suffered a collapsed lung and an immediate amputation of two fingers on her left hand, and upon first being treated was only taking four breaths per minute.

According to her mother, Logan's GCS - glasgow coma scale (test consciousness) rated a Number 3 out of 15 - a rating given simply because she was breathing. Otherwise, she was unresponsive. The teenage girl who was the star of her school's basketball and softball teams was rushed by ambulance to Lakeland Hospital, where the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter was waiting to rush her to Huntsville Hospital. As luck would have it, the crew was returning to the base from another flight and made a detour to pick up Logan, saving precious moments. Upon their arrival at Huntsville, the helicopter circled several times so the medical crew could get Logan's condition stabilized before landing.

"When the ambulance arrived, she was already on life support," said Lynn. "Bruce (Carson) of the Air Evac crew talked to me and told me how critical Logan was, and I do remember the despair in his voice."  Lynn then added that Logan "received the perfect combination of medical care that she needed," crediting the Air Evac crew of flight paramedic Bruce Carson, nurse Teresa Pollard, and pilot Tim Damico, along with the medical providers at Huntsville Hospital, for saving her life.

Logan's recovery was long and difficult. After spending over three weeks in a coma at Huntsville Hospital, Logan was then transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta for rehabilitation. The young woman's resolve physical fitness level, and the support of her friends and family aided in her recovery. "She entered Shepherd's on a stretcher, and three weeks and two days later she walked out on her own!" said Lynn, proudly. "She was determined to be home for the first pep rally of her senior year, and she was."

Logan continued her rehab in Montgomery, Ala., where she worked diligently with her cousin, Conan Brooks of Rehab-Associates, with the stated goal of "walking out on the basketball court for the first game of her senior year," said Lynn. Two months later, she did that very thing.

Today, she continues to be physically active, and is even studying to be a neuropsychologist because of her own traumatic ordeal. Maybe, just maybe, she can help others overcome their own obstacles, said Lynn. "Logan has a brain injury that will never totally heal, she has three metal plates in her face and one in her hand," she said. "She suffered emotionally, mentally and physically. But, it was a miraculous journey, and God has been by Logan's side from the second she was thrown from that Jeep."

With no memories of that summer four years ago, Logan Tedder is focused on the future, but mindful of the past. "I definitely feel more mature than the average 21-year-old," she admitted. "I don't remember a lot from that time, but I know that there were people that saved my life, including that Air Evac crew. I'm very grateful."

Huge thank you to Air Evac Lifeteam

On May 16, 2011 I was riding a motorcycle five blocks to work. I didn't wear a helmet that day and as I understand it, I collided with a driver who had failed to stop at a stop sign.

I had a big wreck that morning and severe damage to head and body. I have heard that the Air Evac Lifeteam crew stayed at our local hospital for two hours working on me to make sure I could make the flight. I had two broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken collar bone, three fractures on my skull and two brain hemorrhages, just to name a few. I was taken to UAMS where I was in a coma for a month. After a few days out of the coma I went to Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute for physical, occupational and psychological rehab.

I continue to struggle with health issues after returning home after my treatment there. I am improving but I realize it will be a slow and sometimes difficult journey. A huge thank you and Merry Christmas to Air Evac Lifeteam for allowing me the opportunity to continue on the journey of life and enjoy this and many more moments and holidays with my family. - Doug Bartlett, McGehee, AR

I am alive today because of God and Air Evac

On Feburary 5th, 2009 I fell asleep at the wheel coming home after working a 10-hr evening shift,around 1:30 a.m. My injuries included, head trauma, broken jaw,collapsed lung and a compromised airway.
Air Evac 18 based in Salem,Mo. was called to the nearest fire dept. They flew me to St.Johns in St.Louis.
On the flight in they could'nt open my airway so they had to put a Trach in for me. Had they have not done that, I would have died.
I am alive today because of God's miracle working power and Air Evac for going the extra mile and saving my Life. - Bob Coleman, Cherryville, MO

I pay tribute to AEL for saving my life

It was Feb 18, 2007 when I had a brain aneurysm and I was taken to Hardin County Hospital when they called for Air Evac Lifeteam to transport me to Jackson Hospital. After 2 days there they called Air Evac Lifeteam again to transport me to Vanderbilt Medical Hospital. I was unaware of my surroundings for the most part. I do remember for a short time my pilot Nick and my medic Mark. They kept me warm and comfortable and did their best to keep me calm. I often think of them. They saved my life by getting me to Vanderbilt. My husband was so thankful to them for giving him driving directions to the hospital, since we were from NJ and were only here 13 days and this happened.I pay tribute to the Air Evac Team for saving my life. Also, there is a wonderful woman Betty who called me weekly to check up on me after my release from Vanderbilt. I wish to thank everyone for all they did for me. I would not have survived if it were not Air Evac Lifeteam. Thank you again for making it possibe for me to be with my family for many more years. - Barbara Tucci, Savannah, TN

Tennessee teen thankful for Air Evac Lifeteam

I'm Hannah Ramsey, I'm a 16 year old type 1 juvenille diabetic. On November 19th, I was airlifted to Le-Bonheur Childrens Hospital in Memphis, TN. I was in DKA pretty bad, I was really bad dehydrated, and very sick.

The doctor at the local ER in Dyersburg said I needed to go to Le-Bonheur by helicoptor because I was getting worse.. I started cryin! I was scared because, I have never rode in one before!

The helicopter crew came in and talked to me, and got me onto the transporting bed, and hooked me up to all the monitors. They then took me and put me onto the ambulance, and transported me to the helicoptor pad. My mom then met us over there, and of course she was upset, and didn't want anything to happen to me!

After they loaded me into the helicoptor, they gave me a headset, so I could hear them, and talk to them! I was a nervous wreck. When we landed at Le-Bonheur I looked up and seen this security guard, and pedi-flite, and of course The Air Evac Lifeteam crew standing there!

Then Air Evac crew and Pedi-Flite crew stayed in my room in the ER until my mom got there. I have to say Air Evac and Pedi-Flite are really great people, and very nice! If I had to go again, I'd deffinatly fly with Air Evac or Pedi-Flite! All though it was scary, and made me a little queasy. I couldn't say thank you enough - Hannah Ramsey, Dyersburg, TN

Tennessee woman credits EMS agencies for saving her life

For longtime Waynesboro Water Systems Manager Annie Chiodo, a recovery from a life-threatening medical emergency last year was made possible by two local agencies that, by her own admission, are the true heroes in her survival story.

Chiodo, who suffered a total of seven strokes in April 2010, credits the quick actions of the Wayne County EMS and the Waynesboro Air Evac Lifeteam crew after suffering her first stroke for her nearly 100 percent recovery. That Spring, the Waynesboro woman suffered a nearly fatal brain bleed that left her immobilized, and both agencies worked together to get Chiodo the life-saving medical care she needed at Florence ECM Hospital.

"They saved my life and gave it back to me, and they will always be in my heart," said the longtime Waynesboro resident. "They are my true heroes, and I wouldn't trade them for anything."

The first signs of trouble appeared while Chiodo was relaxing at home with husband Sam, she said. "I remember sitting there with my husband, and suddenly I wasn't able to talk," she explained. "I knew something was wrong, so I patted Sam's arm to get his attention and he called 911." Chiodo collapsed shortly afterward and was rushed by the Wayne County EMS directly to the Air Evac Lifeteam base at 915 Andrew Jackson. The Air Evac helicopter then transported Chiodo to Florence ECM Hospital to get the medical care she needed.        

Although she remembers little from the actual flight, Chiodo recalls being loaded into the red, white and blue Air Evac helicopter. She also recalls all the follow-up phone calls by the Air Evac crew to check on her condition. "They stayed in touch, and that really meant a lot to me," she said.

Chiodo's health scare continued a week later as she suffered some additional small strokes, and she ended up back at Florence ECM. She then spent nearly four months at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston, Texas, for the physical, speech, occupational, and optical post-stroke therapy she needed.

Although she occasionally has trouble "getting the right words out" and with two fingers on her left hand not completely recovered, she proudly says she is "nearly normal" despite her ordeal 18 months ago. "Well, I'm as close to normal as I'm going to get," laughed Chiodo, who then continued her praise for the Wayne County EMS and Air Evac Lifeteam.

"I couldn't have asked for better care from either group, and they work very well together," she said. "Both of those groups are just awesome, and not only do I trust them with my life, but with my family's lives as well."

Texas Hill Country appreciates Air Evac Lifeteam

In September of 2002, Everett Higdon fell through a six ft. ladder while building his house. He broke both the bones in his left leg just above the ankle (not the ankle, above it) all the way through; his foot was hanging with just part of the skin from his left leg. When we found him he was bleeding badly. An ambulance was called, he could not find 3rd street and became lost. Several more ambulances were dispatched.; we finally had 3 ambulances, Fire EMTS, and a policeman. While waiting Everett kept pressure on the pressure points, to keep from bleeding to death. By the time the ambulances arrived it was deemed that he needed immediate medical facility to save his life and his foot. Marble Falls does not have a hospital. It was 48 miles by highway to Austin. He needed immediate care. He was transported by AirEvacLifeteam.

Mr Higdon is alive, walks with a limp and still has his foot..Thank You LifeTeam.

Mr Higdon is 77 years old.

THE TEXAS HILLCOUNTRY NEEDS AIR EVAC LIFETEAM

- Everett Higdon, Marble Falls, TX

Texas teen happy Air Evac Lifeteam was there for him

In the fall of 2006, Drew Ellis had no idea he might not see the upcoming holidays with his family. Now, partly thanks to Air Evac Lifeteam, he is a freshman in college and getting ready to come home for the Christmas holidays.

"I am very thankful we had the service of Air Evac Lifeteam available to help Drew," explained his mom Tacy. "Because of the response time of the local EMS and Air Evac, he reached the medical care he needed and recovered great."

In October 2006, Drew Ellis was a happy-go-lucky freshman in High School in Woodson, Texas. A cross country meet had been canceled because of rain and he convinced his mom to let him ride 4-wheelers with his friends.

"He was supposed to call me when he got over there," recalled Tacy, "but he forgot and the next thing I know his friend was calling about the accident."

Drew's friend had gone over a bump in the field and as Drew approached the same spot and tried the same maneuver, it didn't work. As a freshman he only weighed 86 pounds and wasn't strong enough to lift up on the ATV as he went over the bump. The result was that the ATV stopped abruptly on the bump, throwing him off, and then it overturned with the rack on the back of the ATV landing on, and crushing, his legs.

When his mom got the call, she grabbed her cell phone and headed to the field. "I was almost 8 months pregnant at the time, but when I got to the field I couldn't see Drew. He rose up from behind a terrace and waved at me, and I took off across the field on foot, while his dad tried to get the truck closer in the muddy field," his mom explained.

When she reached him she realized that both his legs were broken. One foot actually appeared disconnected from the leg. The first thing he had tried to do was stand and that only compounded the fractures. "When I got to him, I knew he shouldn't move, but at the same time he had landed on an ant hill and had fire ants all around him," she said. "Somehow though, he was never stung by one of them."

Emergency services were called and they responded quickly to the scene and saw the need for air medical transport. "To get him out of the field, he was put on a back board and taken by 4-wheeler to the ambulance and then the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter landed on scene," Tacy added.

"The crew from Air Evac was wonderful," she said. "They were very calm and all came to the ambulance to check on him and you could tell they knew what they were doing. They were able to get him transferred to the helicopter with minimal pain, and they called ahead so the ER was prepared, and he went right in when he arrived.

The helicopter transported him to Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas, and his family was about 30 minutes behind the helicopter. "When I arrived he had already been in X-ray, and was in triage, but the entire Air Evac team was waiting to tell us about his flight," she said. "Everyone was very caring and their medical expertise and quick response helped him in his recovery."

According to doctors at the hospital, they could fix Drew's leg easily, but his ankle needed surgery and blood circulation and if he hadn't been there in time, he might have lost his foot or at least the use of it. "He was in surgery for almost seven hours, but they were able to put his foot back together perfectly," she said.

Drew spent a week in the hospital and though at first the Ellis's were told it might be a year, by December of that year, he was standing on crutches. "The whole Air Evac Team came to check on him during his week in the hospital," said Tacy, "and they seemed to always be checking on his recovery."

Since that fateful day in 2006 when Drew and his family met the Air Evac Lifeteam Crew from Abilene, he has seen them again. "We see Drew at PR events around the area," said flight nurse Laura Wharton, "and about 2 years ago we attended a PR event at his school where he told his story and described the accident." At the Woodson 4^th of July gathering, the flight crew and Membership Sales Manager attended to answer questions and sell memberships to those interested.

Drew graduated from high school on May 28, 2010 and was able to walk across the stage, in part due to the timely response of Air Evac Lifeteam and the caring work of all involved with his medical treatment. He started college in the end of August this year at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

"I am majoring in Ag business and plan to obtain a teaching degree to be an ag teacher," he explained. "I am pretty much making it, as any other freshman. I still have rods and screws in my ankles, so sometimes in the colder weather I feel it, but mostly I don't have any trouble."

Drew said he had never even seen the helicopter at any events before. "When the four-wheeler flipped on me, my first response was to try to stand up and that just made things worse," he remembered. "When the ambulance arrived and they cut my jeans off to see how bad it was, they called in the helicopter."

Drew was moved to the ambulance where he waited a short time for the helicopter to arrive and land in the field. "They had given me pain medication, but I was still conscious. I remember getting loaded into the helicopter and I remember landing."

"Once I started my recovery, I was determined to do better than the doctor's thought I would," he remembered. "I wanted to be able to prove them wrong. I knew it wouldn't be as terrible as they said it was."

Through this experience Drew has developed a special relationship with the crew who responded to his medical emergency. "I have a relationship with them because they were there for me when I needed them," he stated. "When I saw Laura at my high school graduation, where I was able to walk across the stage, it really revived that relationship.

"If I had anything to tell anyone about Air Evac Lifeteam it would be to sign-up now. You won't regret it!" he said. "You never know what's going to happen or when you might need them. They will be there for you!" As a volunteer firefighter in Woodson, Drew's father, Mark Ellis, said, "We are just very fortunate the service was available. The VFD has used the service several times since that October. It is definitely a resource we do not want to be without."

Drew is looking forward to the holidays and many more family memories because of the care he received from local EMS, Air Evac Lifeteam and the hospital doctors, nurses and everyone involved with his care.

The crew that responded to Drew's emergency was from the Abilene, Texas Air Evac Lifeteam. Their base is located at 1900 Pine Street in Abilene and has been open since March 2006, in cooperation with Hendricks Medical Center, just a few months before Drew's accident.

Texas woman thanks Air Evac Lifeteam crew for great care

On Friday, 6/17/11, I received my Air Evac packet in the mail. I was about 33 weeks pregnant and immediately went to put the sticker on my car. We knew I was having complications and that when it was time to deliver we would have to do it fast. I was a repeat C-section so I wasn't worried. Saturday morning, my bloodpressure was very high and I went to my local hospital where my OBGYN checked me out. He said it would still be several days until I delivered, but that he wanted me to go to Fort Worth. The Air Evac crew came to get me and was so sweet and efficient. I have never been so calm in my life! The flight was relatively good given I was contracting and nauseated, but the crew took great care of me. I know that these guys were truly sent from God to take care of me and my daughter. I had a healthy premie and know tht Air Evac is the reason why. Thanks for all you did! - Lauren Sullivan, Olney, TX

Without Air Evac Lifeteam, I wouldn't be alive today

I'm very glad that Air Evac Lifeteam was avalable to me. On Nov. 29th, 1998, I was involved in a car wreck and the car flipped over five times, ejecting me about 50 feet, landing on my face. I had severe brain damage, broke just about every bone I have, including 5 in my neck and 5 in my back and many others, crushed my right side, puncturing my lung and pulled the artery from my heart.

I was flown to UAB in Birmingham, Alabama and had immediate heart surgery and not expected to live. I was in a coma for over three months and the doctors found no brain activity and took me off life support to die.

I came back to life and went home on March 23rd, 1999. I've had alot of therapy because I had had a massive stroke while in the coma and had to relearn to walk and talk, etc. I feel as though if Air Evac had not flown me to Birmingham as quick as they did, I wouldn't be alive today. - Jean Cassell, Russellville, AL