ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 1996 TAG: 9612090101
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
On Nov. 11 Robert Martin's whole world changed. He fell about 20 feet to the forest floor from a tree stand and has not moved his legs since.
Martin was not discovered for about six hours until his hunting companion went looking for him when he failed to show up for appointments at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Martin directs the teaching hospital at the college.
The Rev. Ernie Baker found his friend relatively calm, but laying at the base of the tree with a broken back.
Rescue workers called in Life-Guard 10 to fly Martin to Roanoke. There, doctors told him was paralyzed from beneath his ribs to his toes.
From Roanoke, Martin was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville where doctors operated on his back. They inserted a metal rod to stabilize his back and make it easier for him to sit up.
Now, according to Jeff Douglas, spokesman for the veterinary college, Martin has taken another step forward in his recovery.
Douglas said Martin was transferred Thanksgiving week to the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals in Richmond. There he will spend about five weeks working with physical therapists to adjust to his physical challenges before he returns to work.
Martin's goal is to be back in his Blacksburg home for Christmas, Douglas said.
So many people wanted to help Martin, Douglas said, that the dean's office established a fund to collect donations for Martin's medical and related expenses. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Joyce Morgan in the dean's office at (540) 231-7910, or mail donations to: Joyce Morgan, office of the dean, VMRCVM, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., 24061. Checks should be made payable to the "Robert A. Martin Fund."
To write Martin in Richmond, letters and cards should be mailed to: Dr. Robert A. Martin, Medical College of Virginia, North Hospital - N-1 Rehab #1040, East Marshall Street, Richmond, Va. 23298.
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