Terri

In 2003, Terri Murphy Hutson had been married to Don Hutson for three months when her husband’s vintage car malfunctioned and “tested their vows.” She jokes that after the accident she often repeated the phrase, “For richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health.”

Terri, a former television host, was driving into an underground parking garage when the car’s accelerator seemed to have stuck to the floorboard, catapulting the car forward. The car collided into the garage’s cement wall so hard the hood ornament left a permanent impression in the cement.

The damage to Terri was far worse. Her nose was almost torn off her face. She had several broken ribs and internal injuries. Her leg was severely injured and her heel bone was shattered.

Fortunately, emergency rescue transported her to The Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center at The MED, the area’s only level-one trauma center.

“The trauma team was truly amazing,” said Terri, who was conscious after the crash. “I watched a finely tuned symphony at work. They just descend on you, like an invasion of Navy SEALs. And even though they don’t know exactly what is broken or injured just yet, they all work in concert without hesitation or panic to figure it out. It’s just incredible what they do.”

Terri was in the trauma center for nine days. As is the case with many trauma patients, her recovery took several years, including learning to walk. Five years later, Terri pushes herself to run again.

“I would see people running by the river and think ‘I want to do that,’” explains Terri. “I feel every stride, but when I consider that I could have lost my foot, each step reminds me of how much I owe to The MED. For me, life without The MED would mean life without hope.”

“The people at The MED are amazing. They work there because they want to really help people who need it. That is a calling, not a job. If I’m ever sick or injured again, I’m going to The MED.”

Click here to give to the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center.