Christopher Dighton, the 23-year old involved in an ATV accident in Edgecomb on July 17, returned home on Aug. 9 for a brief visit, 23 days after the accident left him with serious injuries. His father Bill Dighton, of Alna, said he was more excited for his son to come home this time, rather than the first time they brought him home from the hospital.
The first time around, after just a few days home, Dighton returned to Maine Medical Center for surgery on Aug. 13 to replace the piece of skull removed to allow his brain to swell immediately following the accident. The surgery went well according to his father. The surgeon installed seven pieces of hardware to hold the piece of bone in place, which should not cause any problems for Chris in the future.
Bill Dighton credits the care given to Christopher by EMTs at the scene and the early treatment in the emergency room at Miles Memorial Hospital with saving his son’s life. Without that early treatment, he doubts he would have his son today.
Christopher Dighton arrived at Maine Medical Center in critical condition. His injuries included a serious head injury, a fractured skull, facial fractures, a broken collar bone, broken shoulder, nose and ribs, and a lacerated liver. Bill says his son’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable.
Doctors warned that days four, five and six are the most crucial for the brain swelling. A section of his skull was removed to allow for room for the swelling brain.
After some anxious days for the family, Christopher turned the corner and began showing improvement daily. He stayed in the ICU until July 26, 10 days after he was admitted.
Once he was moved to a regular room, nurses had Christopher standing and walking with the help of a walker. Bill said he was excited to show up at the hospital each day because his son’s progress was so overwhelming.
By July 31 Christopher had made enough progress to transition from Maine Medical Center to the New England Rehabilitation Center, where he began a vigorous rehab and strengthening program. He began physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
The road ahead for Christopher is looking good, according to Bill Dighton. Doctors are very pleased with the way the young man’s head injury is healing. He does have some neurological damage in his shoulder that has not yet resolved. Doctors will likely allow four to six weeks for healing before they take another look at it.
Bill said the outpouring of support from community, friends and family through their thoughtfulness, kind words and prayers, visits and money has been appreciated. “It’s been overwhelming. More than 90 different people have made visits to the hospital.” he said.
“I still find it hard to believe how many people have reached out with support for Chris. I guess this is what happens when you surround yourself with good people,” Bill wrote in a journal at http://www.caringbridge.org. He used this website to record his son’s progress on a daily basis
A fund has been set up in Christopher Dighton’s name to help with some of his medical expenses. Donations can be dropped off or sent to: The First N.A., P.O. Box 431, Wiscasset, 04578 (under Christopher Dighton Fund, Account ending in 2929).
Audrey Averill of Ames Supply in Wiscasset, challenged people on Facebook to donate to Dighton’s account and that in return, Ames Supply would match the amount collected on that that day up to $500.
According Peggy Averill, not knowing what was brought in that day, the store just donated the $500. Averill said the store took on the challenge to get people motivated to make a donation. She added that the Dightons and Averills were all Alna residents and the kids grew up together, so it was simply “neighbors helping neighbors.”
