Douglas grew up in Arlington as a very active child, his first job was at Six Flags at the age of 16. He was involved with football, baseball, and basketball. He enjoyed being active even as an adult, riding bicycles, jogging, gym workouts. In 1977 he met his wife Joy working at Six Flags and have been together ever since. He and his wife live in Frisco currently but have also lived in McKinney. Douglas spent his professional career, at the Texas Department of Public Safety for 29 years and 10 months, he was also an Highway Patrol Trooper for 11 years, a Highway Patrol Sergeant for 13 years, and lastly a Sergeant/Lieutenant in CID for 6 years.
On June 11, 2019, while riding his bike her blacked out and woke up on his left side lying in a residential driveway. After a motorist stopped to help and called 911 he was transported to Baylor Scott & White hospital in McKinney. Several tests including an MRI were performed. First Douglas ands his family were told there were no damage to the spinal cord but after a Neurosurgeon was called in for consultation, they discovered damage to the spinal cord at C4-C5. He had surgery to place a cage between C4-C5 to take pressure off the disc. In the middle of all this, doctors determined a low heart rate caused the blackout, and his heart rate continued to be low during his first few days in the hospital. Making him eventually needing a pacemaker to maintain normal rhythm. He was transported to Baylor Scott & White Rehab Center in Frisco and the first week he had no strength and considerable depression.
After the first week Douglas realized no one could make this better except himself, He got really involved with the OC and PT therapist assigned to my case. I continually asked what extra work I could do to help myself. They gave me advice and printed material to do on my own. I took their great advice and constantly went to the gym in my spare time. Eventually other therapists observed the extra work and were always willing to help.
All this early intervention done by himself has made his main objective is to walk my daughter down the aisle unassisted October 18, 2019 more attainable. Lastly, he wants to increase his overall body strength, to regain arm and leg range of motion and to regain my life prior to my injury. Douglas looks forward to obtaining life-long friendships.
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