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Murphy – Joy Lynn Hale never gave a second thought to getting on a lift that would raise her up without the need for climbing stairs until Sept. 24, 2005.
It had been a long day of helping others with a food ministry project, and Hale was ready to get back home. Upon arriving she stepped onto the lift that was at the home she shared with then-husband Dick Lynn, whose medical issues prompted a need for the lift.
When Hale touched the door of the lift to exit, the cable snapped, dropping her to the ground and waiting concrete below.
As a result of the fall, Hale’s body was broken into many pieces below the knees. One foot has been primarily remade using titanium, while her lower limbs house a lot of hardware.
When the lift crashed, the noise alerted a law enforcement officer who lived in the neighborhood. He called 911 and headed to Hale’s house.
She was taken to Asheville in an ambulance, as a medical transport helicopter was unable to fly her out due to the weather. Hale stayed at Mission Hospital for about eight weeks, enduring nine hours of surgery to put her legs back together.
“They did a great job,” she said.
Hale would have to be in bed for about a year while recovering. Although difficult, she learned how to get in and out of a wheelchair, as well as other tasks like showering. She had to have help, as she could not put weight on her feet.
The following year, the screws that held her lower legs and feet together were removed. She was able to stand and walk on her own, and did so for several years before arthritis set in.
As time progressed, she suffered bone degeneration and the loss of cartilage. Today, Hale is confined to a wheelchair.
“I do really well, though,” she said. “I have a really nice electric wheelchair, and my husband has ramps everywhere, so I do quite well.”
At the time of the accident, she did not feel any pain.
“The EMTs were wonderful. There was a young girl who climbed into the wreckage with me, she asked if I was in any pain, and I said no,” Hale said.
“She gave me a morphine drip, and I’m glad she did, because by the time I got to the hospital the pain was unbearable. I couldn’t deal with it.”
What she said helped her get through it was a friend, Carol Long, who came to her bedside and continued praying for her throughout the night. Hale’s mindset also remained positive.
“I always figured there’s a way out of this,” she said. “So I just prayed a lot.”
Hale had a lot of folks praying for her. They also brought her dinners and took time to stop by and visit.
She had some financial help as well.
“The First Baptist Church helped me pay for the first six months of somebody coming to stay with me.” Hale said.
Her husband’s condition at the time made it impossible for him to care for her.
“He did pray a lot for me,” she said fondly. “We had a great marriage.”
She has remarried and is grateful for her husband, Don Hale, as well as the help she and Don received from pastor Patrick Garrett of Journey Fellowship. She also praises caregiver Elisha Watkins.
Her challenges include trying to find shops and businesses in Murphy and surrounding areas that have entry ways and other spaces that can accommodate a wheelchair. A lack of ramps, small doors and spaces frustrate Hale, who is then forced to look for other shopping establishments that can assist folks with mobility needs.
Hale’s faith in God is what has kept her on solid ground – not only during the accident, but in daily life. Her life of grace has brought the cheerful lady to where she is today.
She continues to operate Moorehouse Ministries, a longtime local food pantry, with her husband while participating in the Rotary Club of Murphy, Lions Club of Andrews, Murphy Presbyterian Church and just being out and about in the community. She also loves to garden.
The accident had a learning aspect to it, Hale said.
“I learned to be patient,” she said. “I also learned to be kinder and not judgmental.”
Her advice to others struggling through the healing process is to “get a good Bible and put it right there by your side. When you start to feel anxiety, pick it up and read. Without the Bible, you’re not gonna make it.”
A Scripture she relies on daily is Psalms 91.
“Read the word and do things you enjoy,” Hale said. “If you’re down, make lemonade.”