Most of you know Violet of McLeansboro, IL.  She got hit by a car while crossing the street.  This left her with her brain damage, which caused swelling of her brain.  The doctors said that if her brain continued to swell then they would have to operate immediately.

                When I walked into Violet’s room for the first time, I felt so cold.  I have never seen Violet in that much pain.  She looked well…dead.  As if the life had been sucked right out of her.  I was afraid to touch Violet.  I did not want to hurt her.  She had tubes in her head, wrist, and one shoved down her throat.  It was like off the movies, only this was real.  I could have never imagined Violet in the position that she was in.

                She was in a coma.  The doctors said that she could hear everything we said.  I just did not understand it.  If she could hear us, then why was she not responding?  I waited and waited patiently.  It was so hard waiting for her to come out of her coma.  When she did, she was still not the Violet I hoped she would be.

                It was many months of waiting and hoping before Violet was in a way, literally up and running.  This was the start of another hard journey for Violet.  But she had pulled through and became strong and very willing to be the Violet she once was.

                She entered Ranken Jordan, unable to speak and with barely any memory.  After a few weeks at Ranken Jordan, I saw improvement.  Each week she was getting better.  She was actually starting to remember things again!

                I am writing to thank the staff at Ranken Jordan for making all of this possible.  You are my heroes, not only for saving Violet, but also for making my best friend “almost Violet again”.

                I thank God for having you.  Thank you, everybody, for everything you have done for my best friend.  Thank you so much; I can’t thank you enough.  You are and always will be my Heroes.

                Thank you:

                Arissa Vineyard