Thanksgiving was very special for Cory Huffman and his family last year — and will be again this year — after he was nearly killed in an automobile accident on Oct. 11, 2014.
After seven weeks in the hospital, Huffman was released in time to be with his family for the holiday.
“Thanksgiving was pretty amazing last year,” said his mother, Vicki.
Huffman, who had been drinking before driving, missed a curve in the road and was ejected from the 2004 Ford Taurus when it crashed. Two other men in the car suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, but Huffman, 26, suffered broken vertebrae in his neck and back, three broken ribs, a lacerated liver, crushed cheekbones and sinus cavities, broken collarbone and shoulder, broken eye socket, punctured lung and a traumatic brain injury.
“They don’t know how he got out of the car,” Vicki said, noting the windows were all intact and the door was closed. “I woke up at 3 a.m. and knew something happened.”
He was taken to Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah by helicopter and put on a respirator.
“When I got there, they said to go say goodbye,” Vicki said. “They thought Cory was going to die.”
Huffman was in a coma for 11 days. Doctors tried twice unsuccessfully to wake him. On the third attempt, he woke up and greeted his mother with a sign that let her know he was going to be OK.
Soon after the accident, Huffman had an operation that fused his vertebrae. The doctors said he would be paralyzed, but he slowly struggled to get better over the next several weeks in the hospital. He needed speech and physical therapy.
Vicki visited every day except Halloween, when Cory insisted she stay at home for the kids for trick or treat.
The family belongs to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, and parishioners provided gas and food cards.
“Through the love and generosity of fellow parishioners I was able to be with my son every day,” Vicki said. “I could never thank them enough.”
The family also received contributions from Walker Forge in Clintonville, where Vicki works, and the local and national Knights of Columbus organizations. The family moved from their apartment in Bonduel to a rental home in Shawano.
When he went home, Huffman had to use a walker and a cane — annoyances for a man accustomed to working outdoors as a crew member for Osmose Utilities Services.
Huffman, a 2007 graduate of Shawano Community High School, continues to make progress but still faces difficult challenges. He has chronic pain, migraines, insomnia and can’t stand for a long time. He is deaf in his right ear and lost some vision. He cannot drive.
His days are spent watching TV and playing video games.
“I try to challenge my brain,” Huffman said. “Visual effects can make my brain work harder.”
A follow-up surgery removed a bone chip in his neck, which slowed his progress.
“It put a pretty big damper in my plans,” he said.
When he was well enough, Huffman spent about two months in the Huber facility. When asked about driving while intoxicated, he said, “Don’t do it.”
The family is thankful Huffman survived the crash, no one else was seriously injured and that he has made progress in his recovery. They appreciate the community support and all the prayers.
“I think that’s why he’s here,” Vicki said. “There’s nothing medically they did that explains why he lived, why he walks. None of those things should have happened.”
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