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Life Changes in a Split Second

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

Aug. 23--Lorrie and Darin Moudy had been challenged in life many times before, but their latest obstacle to happiness has helped put things into perspective.

On July 23, while vacationing in Maui, 39-year-old Darin Moudy suffered an accident while riding a boogie board that left him paralyzed from his neck down.

According to his wife, Moudy tried diving into a shallow part of the ocean and hit the sand face-first breaking his neck on impact.

"He instantly went limp and was floating in the water until I pulled him up," recalls his 39-year-old wife. "I knew he had broken his neck right then," she added.

The initial shock of seeing her husband suffer an accident of such magnitude overwhelmed Moody's mind, something that quickly changed after she realized she had to be there for the couple's 13-year-old daughter, Haillie.

"My world changed in a split second," she remembers.

The accident came at the time the Spring Valley Lake residents were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary.

Darin Moudy, who became quadriplegic, was transferred to Ballard Rehabilitation Center in San Bernardino where he was given the hope of one day being independent again.

"In spinal cord accidents it takes time for the body to recover because the swelling needs to go down," Chief Operating Officer at Ballard, Mary Hunt, said Monday.

"One of the things that is in favor of Mr. Moudy is that he has an exceptional family that keeps him motivated to strive to recuperate from this condition," Hunt added.

While in rehabilitation, Darin Moudy has urged his wife and family to continue their life, something that has brought days of hope and sometimes days of sadness.

"We stay very positive about this whole situation, but sometimes we have our moments. Darin's main concern is that our daughter is not too affected by what has happened," Lorrie Moudy said.

While Haillie is preparing to return to a semi-normal life that will involve school and joining her soccer team, Lorrie makes the trip to San Bernardino on an everyday basis to be with her husband in these difficult moments.

Lorrie Moudy said her husband, who declined to be interviewed, is in good spirits and striving to one day walk.

As a rehabilitation nurse for 30 years, Hunt said that those who recover from this type of injury, do it from within the first year.

"It is important to point out that each individual recuperates differently and sometimes it takes more time than a year," Hunt explained.

More than financial help, Lorrie Moudy said she and young Haillie are in need of moral support from family and friends.

"Financially, we are OK right now, and our main goal is to get the support of our family and friends who have been wonderful to us during this time," she said.

Monday, Haillie was able to return to soccer practice, where teammates at the Apple Valley Soccer Club received her and her mother with open arms.

"They are just the most wonderful family you will find and we are keeping them in our prayers in their time of need," soccer mom Colleen Butcher said.

Moudy says her biggest fear is not being able to bring her husband home.

"We try not to think about that," she says.

Despite the worries and the long road ahead for rehabilitation, the couple has made it their goal to stay positive. Moudy says her husband keeps Haillie as his greatest motivation amid adversity.

"He is still a husband, a father and the man of our house," Lorrie Moudy said.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

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Source: Daily Press - Victorville, California

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