Arthur Campbell, D.C., and his family were involved in an auto accident while on vacation in Baja, Mexico on July 30, 1989. I had the pleasure of presenting a check to Kathy Campbell, Dr. Campbell's wife, on behalf of the San Diego County Chiropractic Society (SDCCS) trust in November of 1989. I thought it appropriate to share with you what I experienced that day.
I came out of the Campbell house, got into my car, and felt as if I wanted to cry, or maybe just give a sigh of contentment. My tears were not from sorrow. They were definitely tears of joy and amazement for a woman of courage and love, and for a four-year-old boy, named Alexander.
Kathy is fine, or so she says. She has a difficult time turning her head, although the fracture of the odontoid has completely healed. There is no pain or discomfort and she refuses to walk with crutches as advised. She says she is just tired of relying on them. Her left leg is still pinned as a result of the compound fracture, but she insists "It doesn't hurt much."
Alexander is now four years old. He was completely comatose just three weeks ago. He is home now, can talk, but doesn't walk, "yet." He has made tremendous gains since his release from the hospital.
I have to "gulp" even now when I think of meeting Alexander for the first time. It was Kathy's idea that I meet all of the children: Alexander, Katie (the 1-year-old), and Rebecca (the 12-year-old). Katie was not hurt during the accident, while Rebecca fractured both ankles. Rebecca is now doing fine, but was not available for photographs. Peter (the 14-year-old) died during the tragic accident.
I held Alexander on my lap after Kathy brought him into the room. He had the strength to hold himself upright. His right side is somewhat unresponsive to stimuli. His right eye is completely closed. His right arm and hand are characteristic of cortical and brainstem trauma. His first words to me were, "I love you so very much." Alexander captured my attention from then on. He said many things.
As I sat in the car, I reflected on his attitude. This four-year-old boy, who barely escaped death, seemed so excited about life and his ability to speak and see things. Tell me you wouldn't have cried.
Dr. Campbell has been in the Leir Rehabilitation Center in San Diego since October 1989. He has been comatose since the accident, has no purposeful responses or reflexes, and remains heavily medicated with anti-convulsants and other drugs. Medical bills for the family have been more than $1 million, and the insurance company now refuses to pay any further care.
Kathy has a modest income from the sale of Dr. Campbell's practice which does not meet expenses. She, together with her mother, continues to rehabilitate Alexander at home. Soon, she will bring Dr. Campbell home as she no longer can afford to keep him at the rehabilitation center. Kathy has accepted quite an undertaking when you think about it. Now you can understand my sigh of contentment.
Dr. Campbell is a member of the San Diego County Chiropractic Society, a component society of the California Chiropractic Association. We have established a trust fund to help this deserving family. Please help by donating to the trust. Checks should be made payable as follows:
San Diego County Chiropractic Society
3650 Clairemont Dr., Ste 10
San Diego, California 92117
Pay to the order of: SDCCS Campbell Family Trust.