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RACHAEL CORNELIUS
Rachael Cornelius
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The Fall of 2004 was an exciting
time for Mike Cornelius and his daughters Becky and Rachael. Becky was going
to college in Madison and 16-year-old Rachael would be a junior at Rhinelander
High School. But on August 12, 2004, as Mike was helping his oldest daughter
move into the dorms in Madison, he received a phone call from the Oneida
County Sheriff’s Department, telling him that Rachael was involved in a very
serious motor vehicle crash.
“It’s a parent’s worse nightmare,” shares Mike. “The drive to Marshfield
seemed endless and many things went through my mind as we neared the emergency
department at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.”
Because Rachael was entrapped in the vehicle, it took nearly two hours before
she was removed from the wreckage and airlifted by the Spirit of Marshfield to
Saint Joseph’s Hospital Trauma Center. Mike and Becky arrived at the Hospital
shortly after Rachael, but they were unable to see her right away, as her
condition was critical.
In addition to a severe head laceration, Rachael’s most critical injuries
included extensive pelvic fractures involving her hip joint, left and right
leg fractures, rib fractures and a slight brain bleed. Following major surgery
to repair the femur fracture on August 13 led by Marshfield Clinic Orthopedic
Surgeon Dr. Paul Kosmatka, Rachael was admitted under the care of Trauma
Services to the Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit followed by Pediatric
Intensivists, Dr. Todd Stewart and Dr. Edward Fernandez. On August 16, Rachael
again underwent surgery to repair the fractures to her pelvis and hip joint.
This surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Leggon. Rachael’s extensive care also
involved a multitude of other surgeons and specialists on staff at Saint
Joseph’s Hospital. Rachael remained in the PICU for seven days.
“We were told that there was uncertainly as to whether Rachael would be able
to walk,” shares Mike. “But we knew that Rachael had determination and we
prayed for a full recovery.”
Although in traction and intubated, amazingly Rachael remained positive
throughout her stay. She was alert enough to communicate through writing, as
she was unable to speak due to a breathing tube.
On August 20 Rachael was moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit onto
the regular Pediatric floor. However, she had a long road to recovery ahead of
her. She went through intense therapy on the Hospital’s Rehabilitation Unit
for two weeks, enduring daily physical and occupational therapy.
On September 12, exactly one month following the crash, 16 year-old Rachael
Cornelius was able to walk out of the Hospital. Although she needed
assistance, as she was unable to bear weight on her left leg, she was very
happy to be able to return home. In October, she was able to start bearing
weight on both legs with the assistance of a walker.
Today Rachel walks with a very slight limp, but doesn’t need the assistance of
a walker or crutches. She has many hobbies and interests, but mostly enjoys
sports, music and the outdoors.
“I always tell people to love and appreciate what you have,” says Rachael,
“because in a minimum of two seconds your whole world can do a 180. When you
feel like you’ve reached the end or the dark, the light of hope shows up out
of nowhere.” |
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