Kenneth Bond is a living miracle. A victim of a February two-car collision, Bond has relearned walking, talking, and remembering.
“Doctors say it’s a ‘triple miracle’ that he’s alive,” his wife Mary Franc Bond stated.
A former employee of Maryville Jewelers in the Cleveland Mall, Bond was one of four persons injured in an accident on I-75 in February. The accident eventually claimed the life of Carl Montgomery and injured twin sisters, Ronna and Donna Bettis.
Recently, Bond and his wife visited Cleveland during a fundraising event sponsored by Maryville Jewelers. Over $1,600 was collected and presented to the Bonds to go towards hospital bills.
Bond suffered brain damage, speech impairment, and a loss of memory. Hospitalized three times since February – 22 weeks was the longest span.
“Kenny was in critical condition for four weeks and in intensive care for 47 days,” Mrs. Bond said.
Although to some his chances looked dim, he showed “constant improvement from day one.”
The left hemisphere of the brain, which contains the speech control, was damaged. “His speech improvement is 100%.”
“ The muscles in his mouth and throat are real weak,” Mrs. Bond explained.
In addition to hard work and determination, speech therapy and tongue exercises helped Bond improve vocally. “A muscle in the throat may be replaced by a piece of Teflon,” she included.
A rib was removed to rebuild the left side of Bond’s face. Plastic surgery is being contemplated and may take place in the spring.
Surgery partially corrected a mass of bone fragment at the left elbow. Bond is undergoing corrective therapy to help regain the use of his arm. At the present, his elbow bends only slightly and Bond is scarcely able to turn his wrist. “He has lots of pain in his elbow and his shoulder is stiff.”
Bond plans to return to work after “the first of the year.” But because the Bonds presently live in Crossville, he’s undecided where he will work, but adds, “Cleveland, I think.”
Bond was in bed 1 ½ months before he could sit up and two months before he could stand up. It took approximately four months before he began to improve and all the while, he never gave. Nor did his wife (give up), a friend stated.
“He progressed miraculously, extraordinarily, and unbelievably,” Mrs. Bond said. “Looking back it’s like a nightmare.”
Reprinted courtesy of Cleveland Daily Banner