There are times in our lives when we become acutely aware that we have been placed in a certain situation for a reason. Maybe we’re supposed to learn a lesson from an experience or realize that we are meant to rise above the event and conquer it. Walter Braddock of Summerton is living proof that sometimes, when obstacles are placed in your way, you can overcome them.

In August of 2006, on the hottest day of the year on record, Walt was working as a subcontractor at a resort and marina in Summerton. The unthinkable happened; the manmade second story scaffold he was working from gave way. Walt said the fall was alright, it was the “impact that got him.”

The fall caused Walt to break both of his legs, crushed one of his knee caps and his right ankle, and resulted in a severe break to his right heel bone that resulted in an open wound.

Walt was immediately transported by Clarendon County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the hospital in Sumter because of the severity of his injuries. An orthopedic surgeon there surgically removed bone fragments from Walt’s wounds. He told Walt’s wife, Betsy, that he had very serious injuries and that he may never walk again. The surgeon explained to Betsy that Walt’s injuries were extremely severe. He felt the case required the expertise of his friend and colleague in Florence, Dr. Sam Agnew, who would provide Walt with the best chance for walking again. 

Walt was transported to McLeod Regional Medical Center where Dr. Agnew, an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, immediately began treating Walt’s injuries. Dr. Agnew of McLeod Orthopedic Associates specializes in multi-trauma injuries of the lower extremities.

After undergoing numerous significant, but successful surgeries at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Walt was transferred to the 17-bed Skilled Care Unit of McLeod Medical Center Darlington in late August to allow his injuries to heal before he underwent surgery on his heel. Walt’s open heel wound also required the need for a Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) device which facilitates wound healing by converting an open wound to a closed wound. A Wound VAC works by removing infection, protecting the wound area, providing a moist healing environment and drawing the edges of the wound together, according to Jenny Hardee, Director of Nursing at McLeod Medical Center Darlington.

Despite the fact that this was requiring a long-term and tedious recovery, Walt did not allow this process to rob him of his joy. He also made the decision to spread his positive nature to the other patients of the Skilled Care Unit, as well as the nursing staff. “It was either choose joy or wallow in despair,” explained Walt.

Walt spent all of September and October at McLeod Medical Center Darlington. Weekly, he was transported to McLeod Regional to see Dr. Agnew for treatment. In the meantime, although confined to his bed or a wheelchair, Walt began visiting with other patients of the Skilled Care Unit. “I would talk to them even if they couldn’t talk to me. It was my goal to encourage their spirits,” said Walt.

An ordained evangelist, Walt would also sing and play the guitar for the other patients in the unit. On the fourth Saturday of every month, the Skilled Care Unit staff holds a Day of Prayer service for their patients. Walt would often lead them in prayer during this time of reflection.

“No matter how bad things look or how bad the circumstances, He will see you through. Look to the One who created you to sustain you,” Walt would share with the patients and staff.

In each patient room at McLeod, there is a dry erase board that details the day of the week, including the names of the staff members caring for the patient and the goal for that day. Walt said he was encouraged each day by the messages on his board, one special one that he recalled was “Give God the Glory.”

“The whole staff at McLeod Darlington was just so personable,” said Walt. “They have such special hearts to work in this type of unit.” Often, patients in the Skilled Care Unit are those in need of short-term care, such as Hospice patients or patients waiting for a bed at an inpatient nursing facility or patients in need of long-term antibiotic therapy for an infection. In some cases, like that for Walt, the patient needs time to heal before undergoing additional surgery or going home.

“They were the best family in the whole world to me. They treated me as if I were one of their family members. McLeod has definitely made a permanent impression on us,” Walt added.
“They are the most thoughtful people,” said Betsy. “They treated us like royalty. We’ve never been treated so well. They were all just a blessing.”

When Walt and Betsy returned to McLeod Darlington in October of this year, she tearfully told the staff, “You helped heal him on the inside as well as the outside. You have no idea what you do for people, you didn’t just heal Walt, you gave me my husband back.”
Betsy explained how she felt God placed them in the skilled care unit of McLeod Darlington because He knew it would become for them a ministry of love to people who could not speak or walk, or who never had a visitor.

Hardee explained, “The skilled care unit has a very caring staff. They embrace the patients and their families. We have the opportunity, because our patients generally are here a longer period of time than in an acute area, to get to know them better and, their preferences.  Sometimes, the patient doesn't have family or they don’t live close by. We become their family. I often commend the staff highly on the skilled care unit for the patience and caring that they give to our patients.”

However, the long road to recovery eventually took its toll on the always upbeat and joyful Walt. After one of his weekly visits to see Dr. Agnew in late October, Walt reached a low point. He was anticipating that his final surgery would take place the following week, but it had to be postponed another week.

Betsy and the staff could see how disappointed Walt was. He needed to get out of the confines of the hospital and just get away. As a treat, the staff made arrangements for Walt to travel to his favorite restaurant in Florence. It was just the right type of boost Walt needed.
Hardee added, “Even during his darkest days, he was a pleasure to care for.”

In early November, prior to his final surgery, Walt’s wound VAC was finally removed. And on November 9, a week after surgery, Walt took his first steps since the accident with the assistance of the McLeod Darlington Rehabilitation staff. 

In time for Thanksgiving, Walt went home aided by a wheelchair and a walker, but his road to recovery took a slight detour in early December when he developed a post-operative severe infection to his open heel wound which required a return to McLeod Regional Medical Center for treatment. Fortunately, his spirit allowed him to take this setback in stride and return home a week later in plenty of time for the holidays.

Today, Walt is standing tall and walking with ease. He said he still has a little stiffness in his one foot, but other than that, he is doing well.
“You can’t replace what all these staff members gave us,” added Betsy. “With their medical expertise and their hearts, they gave us our life back.”