WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Kechi man was paralyzed from the neck down after falling from a ladder while helping his neighbor with a yard project.
Debbie Johnson said seeing her husband Emmett Johnson, who was of perfect health, left fighting for his life, unable to move in the ICU, has turned her world upside down. She said they are left questioning what’s next.
“Going from a perfectly healthy 70-year-old man to this is so shocking,” said Debbie.
Debbie said Emmett was helping clear branches and fixing a neighbor’s fence. He fell from his ladder when a branch landed on it. EMS stabilized him and rushed him to a local hospital.
He underwent surgery to put pins in his neck. Doctors said he is now paralyzed from there down.
Arrest made in northwest Wichita fatal hit-and-run crash
“I know he doesn’t want to live like this, and he’s told me many times already. He just wants to go home,” said Debbie.
Nearly two weeks after the accident, he is still fighting through infections, Debbie said, Emmett is a fighter, but each day provides new challenges.