A walking miracle

Mike Dougherty sits with wife Amy and sons Keagan, 11, and Brenden, 8. at their Lapeer Township, Inset, Dougherty shows off the copy of the firemens prayer which he taped to the inside of his fire helmet after joining the Pontiac Fire Dept. in 2004. He believes the prayer saved him from death. LAPEER TWP. — “They say I’m a walking miracle,” said firefighter Mike Dougherty.

Sitting in his living room, wearing a neck brace, Mike added that he doesn’t have a hard time believing doctors who say those very words to him.

That’s because while on a rescue mission on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 2 at a typical house fire, Mike, of Lapeer Township, a paramedic with the Pontiac Fire Department, fell 20 feet when the stairs in the home gave out. He landed on his head, breaking his neck.

“I remember saying ‘oh my gosh’ (and seeing) my life flashing before my eyes,” said Mike, a Lapeer West grad.

Photos by EMILY CASWELL He said he also remembers hearing something snap. Laying in a pile of rubble from the fire, Mike said his arm started to go numb. Not being able to speak, he knew his injuries were bad.

“I (was) in excruciating pain ... I (couldn’t) move my neck,” said Mike.

He was removed from the house very quickly, backboarded and given an IV. All strange to Mike, who as a paramedic, is usually the one saving people, not being saved.

After being rushed to the hospital, a nurse used Mike’s cell phone to call his wife of 16 years, Amy, a Lapeer East grad.

Since it was his personal phone calling her personal phone, Amy said she almost didn’t answer. But for some reason she did.

At first, she admits, she thought the call was a joke. After talking to Mike and hearing his voice break, however, she knew she better take a trip to Pontiac.

Even after arriving at the hospital, Amy had no idea just how severe her husband’s injuries were. Given little warning of how bad he would look laying in his hospital bed, Amy said she nearly collapsed when she saw him.

“I buckled,” she said. “I was totally not ready for it.”

Amy said while many wives of firefighters may live their lives in worry, she never really did. After seeing her husband, she gave herself a pep talk and told herself she had to be strong for him and their two sons Keegan, 11, and Brenden, 8.

After five days in the hospital Mike was allowed to come home, but not before one of his firefighter buddies brought him something — his helmet.

Inside his helmet, like he remembered, was a copy of the firemen’s prayer, something his mother-inlaw had given him when he was hired onto the Pontiac Fire Dept. in 2004. Mike believes it was that piece of paper taped inside his helmet that not only saved him from being paralyzed for life but saved his life.

“I’m a true believer that that’s what saved me (from a wheelchair and) from meeting my maker that day,” he said.

Although he can walk, Mike must be extremely careful because of the delicate condition his spine is in.

With an official diagnosis of a C- 5 fracture, the road to recovery will be long. In fact, Mike isn’t even sure if there will be a day when he can consider himself 100 percent again.

At 38 years old he’s faced with the chance that he might never be able to return to active duty as a fireman.

“I was always a go-getter,” he said. “I’d go back tomorrow if I could ... It’s life changing.”

There are options Mike can explore for rehabilitation, including a few different surgeries, but he and Amy said they are not sure what road he’ll take.

“We just (don’t) want to rush into something,” said Amy. “He’s just too young. (We want to) see how it heals naturally.”

In the meantime workers comp is helping to pay the family’s bills, as Amy’s career is a stay-at-home mom.

Mike’s buddies at the Pontiac Fire Dept. have designed and are selling sweat shirts for his benefit. They also have set up an account for people to send money to help the family out when workers comp runs out.

“It’s the unknown that we’re scared about,” said Mike.

Along with the help from the fire department, the Doughertys also have began to see the generosity of the community kick in.

When it snows, their driveway gets shoveled, they’ve received checks from anonymous donors and have had meals delivered to their doorstep.

“It’s amazing who comes out of the woodwork when you break your neck,” said Amy, adding that she’s been thankful for all of the support and prayers the family has received.

“It’s just overwhelming for my wife and I,” said Mike.

Mike said he’s gone through many emotions since his Jan. 2 fall. First it was hard to accept his diagnosis, and then it was hard to learn patience. Nearly a month later, he said, it’s still scary and definitely life-changing, but there are bright spots.

The brightest spot being that he survived the fall. His injury has also meant that he’s been able to take a break from his usually busy schedule and spend more time with his family, especially his wife, who he says he looks at differently today.

“I appreciate her more,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot. The small things in life ... don’t let ’em bother ya.”

Mike said he’s still feeling a bit of pain in his shoulders and a numbness in his arms if he’s too active. He said he’s really looking forward to starting physical therapy in a few weeks and regaining his strength.

“I’m a lucky guy,” he said.

To donate to the Dougherty family, mail checks payable to Mike Dougherty to 172 Saber Way, Lake Orion 48362.