Blogger: YOUNG RIPE AND READY receiving the call, Vanessa sprang into action as Richie was rushed inside the unit. Vanessa quickly assessed the young man's injuries and determined, with her boss, Doctor Mike Mathis, that Richie would be headed for a CT scan of his head, neck and spine to see what else was going on with him.
An hour and a half later, Richie's CT results showed a fractured neck and a bruised spine but no paralysis. Richie would be a very sick young man for at least two months, eventually needing a neck brace and crutches. He avoided needing a full-time live-in nurse for the rest of his life by one half-inch.
