Learning To Reuse An Arm After Hunting Accident

On November 24, 2019, Eric Brown suffered a severe hunting accident.

The Fountain County, Indiana, resident and junior-high football coach recalls moving the hunting stand after a hunt with his son. When Eric unstrapped the stand from the tree, it buckled and threw him into it.

"I fell face and shoulder first into the ground and at that point I was knocked unconscious," Eric said. "I remember coming to and my son standing over me asking what he should do, so I asked him to get the phone out of my pocket and call his mom."

When Eric regained consciousness, and his wife arrived, he used the strength he had at the time to get in their car so his wife could drive him to the hospital. Eric was eventually diagnosed with a right brachial plexus injury, a left broken arm, a lacerated liver, and a lacerated spleen. Even after his diagnosis, he spent several weeks in the hospital.

Eric's hunting accident could have changed the rest of his life, but with the help of Franciscan's rehabilitation team and his determination, he was able to return to the activities he continues to enjoy.

As Eric began his recovery process, he started his search for a rehabilitation center.

"With my work being in Tippecanoe County and Lafayette, primarily, we looked for areas around there, and decided on Franciscan at the Y," Eric said. "It made sense with the travel and the commute that I would be there and easily be able to attend my regularly scheduled visits."

'Eric Wanted To Be The Model Patient'

Eric credits Franciscan Health occupational therapist Angela for her effort during his recovery process. "It was nice going in to see her, knowing that she had a good game plan to help keep me on track."

"Every time we'd go in and I'd be down or discouraged, Angela wouldn't let that affect how the day's session was going to go," Eric said. "She pushed me very hard, and I'm very fortunate to have had her throughout this process."

Angela explained that they were helping Eric learn how to use his arm again.

"As the electrical system starts to work in the arm again, we had to learn to be able to move it, and use it, and help retrain those muscles." Angela said.

They would use methods including electrical stimulation while placing Eric in several positions so he could recognize how to move his arm and use his grasp from every angle. Angela and the rehabilitation center also helped Eric train his brain on how to accept his functioning arm again.

"I remember it was approximately a month after surgery, I began seeing innovation in the nerves and was finally able to start moving my arm," Eric said.

He recalled Angela's excitement about his progress and how it added to his motivation.

Angela explained that part of their mission at Franciscan is to be able to treat people in their entirety, including the mind, body, and spirit.

"I guess I didn't realize that we were the ones that were motivating him, so we just did our job." Angela said. "What was exciting for me to see in his recovery is that we gave Eric the tools to recover, but he's the one that did the work."

"There's many things to be excited about as I've seen the progress begin to develop in something as simple as tying my own shoes," Eric said.

"Eric wanted to be the model patient, and he wanted to be able to show people that hard work pays off," Angela said. "Eric would try to do things at home, like trying to turn on a light switch, trying to open a doorknob, just everyday functional activities to try to help him."

Back To The Hunt

"First and foremost, my motivation came from my faith and my family kept me driven throughout the process," Eric said. "I remember sitting down and looking out into the woods and being so grateful for the opportunity I had to be able to do this again."

Eric expressed how he is feeling much better after rehabilitation.

He returned to hunting a year after his time with the rehabilitation center and decided to primarily hunt on the ground.

"I would like to say thank you to Angela and Franciscan Health for allowing me to continue my life. I'm very fortunate and grateful for the help that I received throughout the process. It makes you open your eyes and realize and appreciate the little things in life that are important," Eric said.