What a difference a year makes for 'Mr. Ray'

For 64-year old Ray Famble, Thanksgiving means more than eating turkey with family, and going shopping the next morning on "Black Friday."

A year later, Famble, a shuttle driver at Winston-Salem State gives countless thanks for his miraculous recovery after his involvement in a near-fatal accident.

Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at approximately 5:30 p.m. after working on campus, Famble blacked out while driving his classic 1985 Mercedes 500 SL coupe, and he ran his car into a condo unit at an impact of 35 miles per hour, according to police reports. 

The vehicle was totaled.

Famble does not recall, but said he was told that he was pronounced dead on the scene and that the unit was set to call the coroner. 

Famble said his physicians told him his blood sugar had probably reacted.  He said he elected not to eat that day because he was waiting for a special dinner later that evening. Famble said his neurologist also said the accident could have also been coupled with the fact that his body was tired, and Famble dismissed the rumors of what some people thought had happened. 

"Words are floating around that I had a heart attack," Famble said.

"That had nothing to do with it.  I don't know how that got out, but that is not true."

Famble lost and gained consciousness throughout his transport to the (Baptist hospital).  He suffered nine broken ribs, a broken neck, multiple brain injuries, a smashed right wrist and ankle.  He also sustained injuries in his chest and knees.  Many of these injuries led to multiple surgeries.  His abdomen was cut and left open to ensure that he had no internal bleeding. 

Famble remained in the hospital 45 days, but was in a coma for 17 days.  His memory was not fully intact, but Famble recollects one of his first memories on day 25 in the hospital.

"Something that really sticks in my mind after I regained some consciousness, was the number of people that visited me," Famble said. 

"It was unbelievable the support of the campus police, the staff and the students I was showed.  Even today, it's hard to explain the response and the outpouring support.  I got so many phone calls, letters and visits.  I got so many cards and flowers in my room that when I was discharged, there was no way that one single SUV could transport it all. 

"It got to the point where when the phone rang on the nurses' stations, they would say, ‘Don't even worry about it.  It's for Mr. Famble.'"

"Even the medical staff, the nurses, the doctors, my church, it was just absolutely unbelievable how people responded," Famble said.  "It's just hard to imagine how so many people could respond to a little old country boy, the son of a sharecropper, like that."

Before the accident, Famble drove the shuttle 10 to 11 hours a day for one year.  Since returning to work April 1, Famble's duties have been adjusted.  He has been promoted to shuttle supervisor, and he coordinates the shuttle schedules, does administrative work, and drives a limited amount.

"I thought I was a rock star," Famble said with a chuckle about his return. 

Famble lost 52 pounds as a result of the accident.  Although he has gained 12, he has a net weight loss of 40 pounds. 

 "I've learned the value of Thanksgiving, and that's the most important thing.  If nothing else, I'm thankful to be alive.