Murray-Calloway Hospital Acute Rehab Unit helps teen rebound 

Calloway County High School senior Seldon Herndon was making plans to pursue, after his upcoming graduation. However, on March 4th, a traffic accident derailed those plans with several months in intense physical therapy in the Murray-Calloway Hospital Acute Rehab Unit.

Seldon had stayed out late with his friends the night before, despite needing to be at work at 6 a.m. Exhausted from his late night socializing, he nevertheless dressed and quickly headed out. Unfortunately, his fatigue resulted in falling asleep at the wheel within a few minutes. Later, all he could remember was hitting the guardrails and flipping his car. 

Seldon wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and when he did awaken, he was sitting on the door. He remembers being unable to feel his left leg.

“I began freaking out when I woke up," he recalled,"and am very thankful for the trucker who stopped and helped rip my windshield out and the nurse that was there.” 

Firefighters extricated him through the rear window, as he continued to drift in and out of consciousness. Meanwhile, medical personnel cut his clothes off him. The crew drove him to a plane that airlifted him to a Nashville hospital, where he underwent back surgery. 

Seldon suffered breaks in his vertebrae, plus four broken ribs. After ten days, he was transferred to the Acute Inpatient Rehab Unit at Murray-Calloway County Hospital. There, he spent two more weeks in intense physical therapy to enable his return home and an additional 12 weeks of outpatient therapy.

“We wanted to be near home," said his mother, Lesley, "and from the time we arrived, the weight was lifted and the care was so good.” 

“With the therapy I felt better every day; I started with a walker and ended with a cane," Seldon remembered. "I went through ... a spinal stimulator, to help heal my bones.” 

Seldon still was deciding what his future held and looked forward to joining the Calloway County High School Class of 2023 commencement. 

The team of therapists and rehabilitation nurses developed an intense plan for his road to recovery.  He was the youngest patient admitted for acute rehabilitation and his effort inspired his care team.

“He was a really hard worker and transitioned to the cane fairly quick,” said Samantha Burnett, COTA. “He was so fun to work with and up for any challenge we gave him.”

“My heart went out to him; no matter the pain he was in, he was so polite and appreciative," added Alicia Erwin, RN, BSN. "He’s been the best patient and it was an honor to care for him.” 

After completing an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation, Seldon was discharged. At home, he continued with outpatient therapy at Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine. With the help of his family, he was graduated from Calloway County High School and again is driving and spending time with his friends.

Seldon also attended his senior prom and was crowned prom king. At the end of the grand march, he thanked everyone for their prayers and support for him and his family. He also encouraged everyone to be safe by wearing seatbelts.

Since his graduation, Seldon joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Works as an apprentice, and has a job lined up.

“God has some big plans for my boy!" said his mother Lesley. "He is a walking miracle and I know God has had him through all of this. Seldon has showed us how to be strong and how to have patience. He is an amazing young man; I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished.” 

To learn more about the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Murray-Calloway County Hospital, phone 270-762-1429.
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(photo caption) 
Murray-Calloway Hospital Acute Rehab Unit members, from left, include Khadra Clayborn, Veronica Yocum, Jamie Rhodes, Samantha Burnett, (patient) Seldon Herndon, Alicia Erwin,  Carrie Fletcher, and Vonda Sanders.