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Another Special Life in Christ
These testimony lives are not stories of "role models". Jesus is the
role model!
These are lives wonderfully touched & changed by Jesus!
Evan Whitlock:
Community members are describing Evan Whitlock’s
recovery as nothing short of a miracle...and giving the power/influnce of prayer most of the
credit.
At around 8:30 a.m., on Oct. 4, a S.C. Highway
Patrol officer began following James Brand, 56, of Columbia, near Shaw Air Force Base on U.S.
76/378, traveling west. When a second trooper joined the pursuit, Brand, who was suspected of
driving under the influence and remains in custody (as of end of 2003), attempted to elude
them by making a U-turn, going up the base entrance ramp in the wrong direction, and crossing
back into the eastbound traffic.
According to reports, just after passing Concord
Church Road, Brand crossed the median and began heading east in the westbound
lanes.
That same morning in 2003, Evan, his mom, his
maternal grandmother, and his aunt left Turbeville for a 1-2 hour drive to
Columbia.
Evan was a passenger in his grandmother’s Chevy
Blazer and was properly restrained in the back seat behind the driver. Brand’s vehicle struck
the driver’s side of the Blazer and continued down the side of the westbound vehicle. The
driver, Evan’s grandmother, Nancy Wilkes and the front seat passenger, Evan’s great aunt,
Cheryl Floyd, were uninjured except for some minor bruising. Evan’s mother, Bea Bea Whitlock,
spent a night in the ER for possible internal injuries.
Evan was not so lucky. He suffered a serious head
injury and several broken ribs and was transferred to Columbia by MediVac . The initial
prognosis for the bright and cheerful 5-year-old was not good...he was in a coma for 6
weeks.
Resident doctor Sylvia Brook recalls being at the
hospital & coming out with the team to give the family an update of initial evaluation
and treatment on that fateful day. She remembers being most impressed with Evan's dad, Hal
Whitlock who came across very strong and asked to pray over the team.
Also, back home, his community would not let him
down. Churches across the county, the state and even the world, were lifting up Evan in
intense prayer. Those prayers, according to his Aunt Cheryl, have been heard and are being
answered.
Following three weeks in intensive care at
Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, including 11 days on a ventilator, Evan was moved to
Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta.
“His progress is nothing short of a miracle,”
said Cheryl Floyd.
Evan can talk and can walk if assisted. He has
some weakness on his right side that is being addressed in intense physical therapy. His
cognitive tests are coming back with very encouraging and positive results.
“He doesn’t seem to have lost anything,” said his
aunt, a 4th grade teacher at Walker Gamble Elementary School in New Zion, S. C..
“He is such a funny little boy,” said Floyd. “Just
a few days ago, he was taking a bath and his mother was teasing him about ‘Sponge Bob’ and
going down the drain. Without missing a beat, he corrected his mother, ‘No … Rug rats.’ Here
was a little boy, who, just three weeks ago was on a life support system; and now he is
sassing his mother. He is our miracle child.”
Evan is currently in the “Dayhab” program at
Scottish Rite and participates in intensive physical therapy from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.
He and his parents are staying at the Ronald McDonald House near the
hospital.
Aunt Cheryl said that the outpouring of love and
support for her family has been overwhelming. “There are jars in every classroom at Evan’s
school, so kids can collect change for his medical bills. The Turbeville Business Association
held their annual Turkey Shoot as benefit for Evan.”
As frightening as this accident has been for
Evan’s family and the entire community, it stands as a testament to the power of the true God
responding to prayer.
“This is about just what God can do,” said Floyd.
“It is amazing.”
The “Evan Whitlock Fund” has been set up at the
Citizens’ Bank in Turbeville, S. C. for anyone who wishes to help this family with expenses.
All gifts will be much appreciated. If you have questions or need more information, please
call Walker-Gamble School at 803-659-2102.
As we have heard so much in 2005 about Terri
Schiavo, there are those who have come out of 12 years of coma and recovered (example, Peter
Cornelis...web site gone). [see a case; & a case; and these miracles].
References:
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ClarendonToday.com, Cathy Gilbert, 27 Nov.
2003.
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e-mails
10/03-6/04, Cathy Simmons.
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Children's
Miracle Network Broadcast 5 June 2004 (video).
***give me your comments about this
page***
(posted 5 June 2004; latest addition 9 July
2006)
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You have just read a very brief example of the
powerful, supernatural transformation of a person's life which is possible through the
acceptance of Jesus as your savior. Are you tired of life as it now is for you? He will
accept you just as you are right this second! Consider accepting Jesus now
[check it
out]!
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