An ordinary ATV ride took a turn for the worse for Braxton Rhodes and his three friends on July 11. While the other three boys escaped with only some stitches and sprains, Rhodes found himself being life-flighted to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, fighting for his life and ultimately losing one of his legs.
Rhodes is a 6th-grader at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic School in Whitesville. As the Whitesville community typically does, they’ve rallied behind the young man, hosting fundraisers, assisting with farm chores, and more.
“The support has been overwhelming, almost unimaginable,” Rhodes’s dad Rodney said. “So many people have reached out and extended their prayers and support. A close friend had to remind me that this community isn’t going to back down, and we just needed to accept the support.”
When Rhodes first arrived at Norton’s that Thursday, his family says he was alert and doing well. Doctors determined he had a broken femur, a dislocated hip, and a laceration on his back.
During surgery to repair his femur the following day, doctors discovered that his hip was what caused the laceration. They quickly determined he had a life-threatening infection and placed him on a ventilator.
More surgeries ensued.
“Norton’s has been amazing – they’re such compassionate people,” Rodney said. “The way the nurses worry like Braxton is one of their own is comforting. If they’ve had a day off, they immediately come in on their next shift to check and see how he is doing.”
This past Friday, doctors decided the best solution was to amputate Rhodes’ leg, marking his sixth surgery in 11 days. Since then, his family said he’s been doing much better, and his vitals, temperature, and blood pressure were all improving.
Rodney said the community support was instant.
A few days ago, a group of young men from the community ensured that all of the Rhodes’ hay on their farm was bailed and stored. Most of those who helped were friends of Rhodes’s older brother, Clayton.
St. Mary of the Woods Parrish is collecting a second donation at every Mass through the end of August. Another fundraiser garnered $19,000 in less than a week. The Higdons converted a standard family barbecue into a benefit and raised $2,500 in one evening. The community also has a benefit planned at Michael “Doodle” Morris’s house.
The entire family expressed their gratitude for the continued prayers and support. They added that it would be nearly impossible to thank everyone who has reached out.
Rodney added that Braxton continues to show signs of improvement.
“He’s had a good weekend,” he said. “Everything is trending upwards, and he’s coming off his medication. He’s still on a ventilator, but he’s communicating with us using hand signals. We just ask for continued prayers.”
