Published: December 15, 2007 09:36 am      

Local woman paralyzed by falling branch

By JEREMY STEVENS

Staff Writer

Tragedy struck on Monday after an icy tree branch fell on Michelle Watson at her home in Ninnekah.

Watson, who works as a custodian at Southern Oaks Church of Christ in Chickasha, was left paralyzed from the chest down and will be unable to walk for the rest of her life.

She had gone to help her father, Dale Pope, carry water to a neighbor on Dec. 10. A tree limb, heavy with ice from the storm, fell and struck her on the back of the neck, seriously injuring her spine and crushing the bones around it. Surgery has been performed and steel plates were inserted to hold it in place.

“It has been an emotional time for me since the accident because she is such a good friend to me,” said Richard Hoover, a member of Southern Oaks who is also Watson’s neighbor.

Hoover was present when the accident occurred and along with Watson’s father helped lift the branch off of her.

“It has impacted me because I still visualize the scene over and over in my head,” said Hoover.

Watson has worked at Southern Oaks as their custodian the past five years and has also helped with the prison ministry in her time there.

Steven Parker, Pulpit Minister at Southern Oaks, spoke of how much she has meant to the congregation the past few years.

“To say that she works as maintenance or custodial would be unfair because there is nothing that goes on at this church that she doesn’t have a part in. She takes care of this place as if it were her home,” said Parker. “There really is no way to describe the role that she plays in this congregation because she touches everybody.”

This has not been the first time Watson has fallen on hard times though. A few years back she had to have bypass surgery on the arteries in her arm after losing all feeling and strength in it.

She has also had to watch as her father has battled cancer and heart problems .

“That family has been through so much,” said Parker. “I think everyone’s first response when they heard the news was why her, why this family again.”

Because of all this, Parker has no doubts that Watson will be a stronger person.

“She’s gonna be a stronger person from this because her faith in God has gotten her family through so many things,” said Parker. “The family is really pulling together right now.”

Watson has a tough road back to recovery. She is without medical insurance and will have to learn to live life in a wheel chair. It is still unknown whether she will be able to fully see again as well.

Many members of Southern Oaks and other residents of Chickasha have already begun to help Watson in many ways.

Hoover has helped by watching the house for the family and checking the mail. The church has also helped by paying any bills they can while she is in the hospital.

Also, more than 35 people in the church signed up to help take part of her duties so she would not lose the income.

Along with the medical issues, her house will need to be made wheelchair accessible. Carpenter and electricians around town have also come to Southern Oaks and said they would help make any modifications to the house that is needed.

The Chickasha Elks Lodge and the Chickasha Eagles Lodge are joining together to put on a fund-raising pancake/sausage breakfast and Silent Auction. The event will be held Jan. 5 from 7 a.m. unitl 1 p.m. at the Elks Lodge.