Kechi woman praying for a miracle after husband left paralyzed

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.

“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.

“When you can’t move, you can’t get up, you can’t cough, your body is fighting itself,” said Debbie.

She said doctors have given multiple options, including hospice.

Emmett’s family now relying on faith to move through what may be a hard decision.

“We’re just leaving Emmett in God’s hands, the doctors have all done what they can do, and it’s up to God now, and we just have to leave it there, we have to leave it there,” said Johnson.

Debbie said Emmett is a man who would stop at nothing to help his neighbors. She believes the support from the countless neighbors he’s helped over the years has been overwhelming.

You can find the GoFundMe for Emmett here .

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