MRC News

Ole Miss senior working his way back after diving accident leaves him paralyzed

JACKSON, Miss.—Cameron Stubbs’ new life started in “the pink chair.”

Being promoted to the chair, which allowed him to sit up, was a major goal after breaking his neck in a diving accident in a hotel pool during Spring Break in Nassau, Bahamas.

Since then the Ole Miss senior has made and surpassed many goals, with many more on the horizon. And while he is focused on his own recovery and improvement, he wants to remind everyone swimming this summer to take precautions when diving.

“It can happen to anyone and it changes your life,” Stubbs said.

Divers should take precautions this summer

JACKSON—Mississippi has already seen the first diving accidents of the year, and it’s likely there will be more as the weather heats up.

But that doesn’t have to be the case, says Lauren Fairburn, Think First coordinator for Methodist Rehabilitation Center. Think First, the hospital’s statewide injury prevention program, covers a variety of safety topics in school assemblies across the state. Careful diving and swimming are components of the Think First message.

Physically challenged athletes to compete in Heatwave Triathlon

RIDGELAND, Miss.—Three years ago Ginny Boydston wondered if this Saturday’s Heatwave Classic Triathlon had a category for disabled athletes. When she was told no, her next question was, “So, how about starting one?”

Boydston, therapeutic recreation director at Methodist Rehabilitation Center, knew there was a place for disabled athletes in the sport. And she was able to prove it with the cooperation of Neal McCoy, from Ridgeland’s parks and recreation department, and some willing athletes.

Methodist Rehab physicians warn of dangers during summer trauma season

JACKSON, Miss.—Physicians at Methodist Rehabilitation Center are urging parents and children to think first about safety and injury prevention, especially during the summer.

The period between May and August is known as the trauma season because of the increased number of injuries that occur.

Clinic streamlines care for people with prostheses

FLOWOOD, Miss.—After Curtis Green of Pearl lost both legs below the thigh to complications from blood clots and infection, his life became a whirlwind of doctor’s visits, therapy appointments and prostheses fittings.

So he was delighted to discover Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s new monthly clinic for people who use prostheses. There he can see a physician, physical therapist and prosthetist all at the same time. “It’s a great convenience,” Green said.

Physicians promote awareness, prevention of stroke

JACKSON, Miss.—Charles Turner’s memory is very clear about some things. He can remember selling the first fax machine in the state in the early 1970s. He remembers how much he loves playing the banjo. He remembers the stroke he had decades ago and he remembers the blinding headache that gripped him for three days in February.

The Jackson resident does not remember the five weeks following that headache, which turned out to be the warning sign of another stroke.

Heather Mills McCartney to headline state's first disabilities conference

JACKSON, Miss.—Heather Mills McCartney, internationally acclaimed speaker and former Nobel Prize nominee, presented the keynote address at a statewide disabilities conference in Jackson at the Mississippi Trade Mart at the state fairgrounds.

The one-day conference, dubbed “A Celebration of Achievement,” highlighted the successes of those living with disabilities and provided educational opportunities for health care, rehabilitation and mental health professionals, as well as disabled persons, their employers and advocates.

Hospital's hockey team helps Callaway High School students learn new skills on the ice

JACKSON, Miss.—It may have been Leon Kennedy’s first time on the ice, but he wasted no time learning what that short hockey stick was for.

“I think it’s fun. I love going on the ice and I love hitting the puck,” the 16-year old Callaway High School student said.

Local churches welcome in spring at Methodist Rehabilitation Center

JACKSON, Miss.—Choirs from two Jackson churches will welcome in spring with special performances at Methodist Rehabilitation Center.
The lunchtime concerts are a popular tradition at the hospital. “Everyone looks forward to the Christmas concerts, so we thought it would be a nice way to welcome in spring,” said Lisa Uzzle Gates, special events coordinator for the Jackson hospital.

The Paul Goaudet Memorial Handbell Choir from Covenant Presbyterian Church will perform in the second floor of the hospital’s two-story atrium mall at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 12.

Physical therapy clinic offers convenient treatment for Madison, Ridgeland residents

MADISON, Miss.—Laura McKinley used to arrive for physical therapy sessions in tears.

Sitting aggravates the herniated disk in her lower back, making the long commute from her Madison home to a Jackson clinic unbearably painful.

“It was really hard on me,” she said. So it was with great relief that she discovered Madison-Ridgeland Physical Therapy in the Beaver Creek shopping center on U.S. 51 in Madison.

“I was looking for something closer to home because I was defeating the purpose driving to Jackson,” she said.

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