Randy Johnson, HealthSouth’s Employee of the Quarter

Randy Johnson does not remember falling asleep behind the wheel on his way home from visiting friends in Lake City one October night in 1998. The doctors told Randy’s mom, Karone, he would not live. After five months in a coma, a legal dispute over doctor’s bills forced him to be discharged from the hospital to a swingbed unit in Darlington . On his way there, Randy finally opened his eyes. After a lengthy legal battle, the insurance company finally agreed to admit Randy for therapy and treatment at HealthSouth in Columbia for a 30-day trial period.

“Dan Carol, Randy’s Occupational Therapist, became his parent away from home,” says Karone. She recalls Randy telling him, “Mr. Dan, If I cry, don’t stop.” HealthSouth’s best combined with Randy’s determination, led Randy from being curled up in knots to walking in just one month.

Randy graduated from high school on time and in August 2001, almost 3 years after his accident, SC Voc Rehab referred Randy to Babcock Center ’s Phoenix Services for rehabilitation supports.

Stephanie Cooper, Supported Employment Specialist, began working with Randy and his mother to implement a plan of action. Less than one month into the program, Randy had secured a job at Bi Lo. During one of his latest outpatient therapy visits at HealthSouth, Randy asked if they were taking applications.

In May of 2003, Randy was hired as a Therapy Aide for HealthSouth. Stephanie continued to monitor Randy’s performance and report to his mother Randy’s progress.  Three months after beginning his new job, Randy was recognized as Employee of the Quarter for HealthSouth. “He’s taken what he’s got and is doing the best thing that he can with it,” says Rafe Ellisor, Patient and Family Counselor for HealthSouth and Chair for Babcock Center’s Board of Directors.