Sledding sends two students to the ER (new video)
Darcee Kubisiak
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Student Life
The Sycamore Shoals emergency room was the last place sophomores Emily Burton and Tommy Parker expected to find themselves this past Saturday evening.
During the second biggest snow that East Tennessee has seen in nearly a decade, a few unfortunate Milligan students, including Burton and Parker, managed to break some major appendages.
"I broke two bones, one in each side of my foot," Burton said. "My Tibia and Fibula."
Ironically, neither Burton nor Parker received injuries from traveling on foot or by automobile, but by a riskier mode of transportation: sledding.
"I had been sledding for quite a while with my friends," said Parker, who broke his ankle around 1:50 p.m. Saturday. "We were sledding near the Hyder House when I all of a sudden face-planted in the snow, and somehow broke my ankle."
Similarly, Burton broke her ankle when sledding down the steep hill located behind the Lacy Fieldhouse.
"Because we had been sledding all day, several of my friends decided to go back out for some more fun after dinner," explained Burton. "Two others (and I) were going down the hill when we hit a big bump, and as a result, I rolled my ankle. At first, I was not aware that my ankle was broken; however, after my friends had taken me back to my dorm, I realized that it was more serious than a sprain."
Immediately after both individuals realized the seriousness of their injuries, they were transported to the Sycamore Shoals emergency room in Elizabethton.
After several hours spent at the hospital, both individuals left with the assistance of crutches and casts.
While Parker continues to painfully, however sufficiently travel on foot, Burton is immobile until further notice.
"Until the swelling goes down, my doctor said that I have to stay off of it," Burton said.
Though Burton has undergone a rather traumatic experience, she remains more concerned about her schoolwork than her injury.
"Being a nursing student, my biggest worry is getting behind in my work," said Burton. "I have been unable to attend class for the past several days and I've been frustrated with the lack of understanding of several of my professors."
Both individuals are expected to undergo surgery this Friday.
"The Orthopedic doctor told me that it would take about two months to recuperate," said Parker. "Until then, I will undergo physical therapy to assist me in recovering."
During the second biggest snow that East Tennessee has seen in nearly a decade, a few unfortunate Milligan students, including Burton and Parker, managed to break some major appendages.
"I broke two bones, one in each side of my foot," Burton said. "My Tibia and Fibula."
Ironically, neither Burton nor Parker received injuries from traveling on foot or by automobile, but by a riskier mode of transportation: sledding.
"I had been sledding for quite a while with my friends," said Parker, who broke his ankle around 1:50 p.m. Saturday. "We were sledding near the Hyder House when I all of a sudden face-planted in the snow, and somehow broke my ankle."
Similarly, Burton broke her ankle when sledding down the steep hill located behind the Lacy Fieldhouse.
"Because we had been sledding all day, several of my friends decided to go back out for some more fun after dinner," explained Burton. "Two others (and I) were going down the hill when we hit a big bump, and as a result, I rolled my ankle. At first, I was not aware that my ankle was broken; however, after my friends had taken me back to my dorm, I realized that it was more serious than a sprain."
Immediately after both individuals realized the seriousness of their injuries, they were transported to the Sycamore Shoals emergency room in Elizabethton.
After several hours spent at the hospital, both individuals left with the assistance of crutches and casts.
While Parker continues to painfully, however sufficiently travel on foot, Burton is immobile until further notice.
"Until the swelling goes down, my doctor said that I have to stay off of it," Burton said.
Though Burton has undergone a rather traumatic experience, she remains more concerned about her schoolwork than her injury.
"Being a nursing student, my biggest worry is getting behind in my work," said Burton. "I have been unable to attend class for the past several days and I've been frustrated with the lack of understanding of several of my professors."
Both individuals are expected to undergo surgery this Friday.
"The Orthopedic doctor told me that it would take about two months to recuperate," said Parker. "Until then, I will undergo physical therapy to assist me in recovering."
Be the first to comment on this story