Her son paralyzed in a dirt bike accident, mother has plea

Fri, Jul 25, 2008

By EMILY STRANGER

The Brunswick News

On June 1, St. Simons Island resident Nicole Dixon, 35, received a phone call that changed her life.

Her 13-year-old son, Robbie N. Altman, had been involved in a dirt bike accident in Brantley County.

The brakes on his bike malfunctioned, causing him to lose control and fall to the ground. He was not wearing a helmet.

His 10-year-old stepbrother, who was following behind him on a dirt bike, ran over his head.

Robbie was immediately transported to the emergency room of the Brunswick hospital of Southeast Georgia Health System.

When Dixon arrived to the ER, the doctors and nurses told her that her teenage son might not live.

"When they let me into the trauma room to see him and I asked the nurse if he was going to make it, she just looked at me with tears in her eyes." said Dixon. "I left the room right then."

But survive is what the Glynn Middle School seventh-grader did.

He was flown to Savannah's Memorial University Medical Center on June 3, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was kept in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit until June 5 before being released.

Now, Robbie is receiving treatment for a broken neck at Sheperd's Spine Center in Atlanta.

The teen, who was told by doctors that he would never walk again, is already making strides.

"At first, he was told he would be completely paralyzed from the neck down, but he has already had some movement in his feet and toes," said Dixon. "He's making progress and has over-achieved every goal that the doctors' have set for him."

Even though Robbie knows he has a long road ahead of him, Dixon said her son's spirits are high and his will is strong.

He hopes it won't be too long before he can do the things he enjoyed doing before the accident, like kayaking, hunting and fishing, she said.

Dixon said she is also amazed by her son's maturity. Instead of moping in self pity, he is looking toward the future with hope.

"He's never sat there and blamed God or his brother, like most kids at his age would do," she said. "He's determined to walk again."

Dixon said she wants other parents in the Golden Isles to learn from her experience.

She said it is extremely important to remind children and teens to wear their safety helmets.

"The doctors told me they have a lot more kids coming into the hospital now, more then ever, who were not wearing helmets when they were injured," she said.

Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering said bicycle and motorcycle riders should always wear helmets.

"To me, a helmet is the most important safety equipment a person could have because a head injury is the most difficult injury to treat and most severe," he said.

Dixon also said the experience has made her realize how important it is to cherish friends and family.

"Love and bless your children every day and give them a hug everyday, because tomorrow you don't know what you're going to be faced with," she said.

Robbie Altman said he would like to thank all his friends and family in the Golden Isles for all of their cards and support.

Help out

A trust fund for Robbie N. Altman has been set up to help defray medical and travel costs that are not covered by insurance. Donations can be made to the Robbie Altman Medical Fund at any Bank of America office.

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