WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |Miracle Children - Evan

Miracle Children - Evan

(Turbeville) - On the morning of Oct. 4, 2003, Hal Whitlock kissed his 5-yr-old son, Evan, and his wife, Bea Bea goodbye and began preparing his photography equipment to film a wedding that afternoon. Whitlock’s wife and son were on their way to Columbia for the day and were accompanied by Evan’s grandmother and aunt.

Fifteen minutes later, Whitlock got a phone call that turned his world upside down. His family had been hit by a suspected drunk driver. The injuries were extremely serious. “My heart sank and the blood rushed to my feet. While driving there I got another phone call warning me that Evan’s condition was really bad,” he remembered.

Bea Bea Whitlock had been trained in first aid, so she had applied pressure to Evan’s neck to try to stop profuse bleeding. She also kept his neck straight and tried to keep him stable until help arrived.
When Whitlock arrived at the scene, Evan was in the ambulance and Whitlock learned that a helicopter would transport his child to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia. “You don’t expect to wake up one morning and be thrust into this world. It was our worst nightmare,” said Whitlock. He and his wife had to travel to Columbia by car, because there was not enough room in the helicopter. “It was the longest ride of our lives.”

The Whitlocks were ushered into a room and told it would be 45 minutes to an hour before they could see their son. “The doctors and nurses came in frequently to give us updates, but there was nothing they could do to take away our pain,” said Whitlock. “They didn’t try to sugarcoat anything and we respected that.” Evan had suffered two brain bleeds and a traumatic brain injury.

Evan Whitlock would remain in a coma for about six weeks. “You don’t come out of a coma all of a sudden,” said Whitlock. “It was weeks before Evan could even lift his head, and then all we saw was a blank stare.” One day, one of Evan’s aunts came to visit and she was doing something silly to get his attention. “He smiled for the first time and we had hope,” he said.

Evan had to re-learn how to talk, walk and even eat and drink again. “We literally had to raise him again,” said Whitlock. The Whitlocks are grateful for the care he received at Children’s Hospital. “When you see somebody taking care of your child to the extent that the doctors, nurses, therapists, Child Life specialists and staff did, it changes you. It’s a humbling experience,” he said.

“Dr. Mark McDonald, Dr. Greta Harper and Dr. Robert Hubbird are truly called to their profession,” said Whitlock. “The nurses were so calming, comforting and attentive. They just touched our hearts,” he said.

Whitlock feels that he has been given his son twice. “Evan is on loan from God. We have to say that even though this happened, God has shown us so many blessings along the way.”

Evan is still in therapy twice a week. He told his rehab doctors that he wanted to learn to run again. He recently met that goal. “He still has balance issues, but you should see him dance,” said Whitlock. “We cherish each day now. We play Evan’s favorite 80s music and all three of us dance like fools.”

Evan will be among the “Miracle Children” featured on the Children’s Miracle Network Broadcast on WIS Television Saturday, June 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
"Evan’s story is an example of the miracles that happen at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital because of medical expertise and tremendous community support," said Diane Howard, Director of Development for Children's Hospital. “All money donated during the broadcast stays right here in the Midlands to help children like Evan.”

Each year Children’s Hospital cares for more than 82,000 infants, children and adolescents. This year, the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders celebrates its 25th birthday. As a major pediatric referral center, Children’s Hospital maintains more than 30 medical subspecialties devoted strictly to children. For more information about Children’s Hospital, visit www.childrenshospital.palmettohealth.com.